Designing learning experiences requires, ideally, an understanding of learning and the implications. And yet, learning science research is too often found in obscure locations and written in impenetrable prose, which may explain the prevalence of bad learning design. We too often see learning that presents content and tests knowledge, and has little likelihood of leading to meaningful behavior change. Our tools, our processes, and our timelines seem oriented to this 'information dump and knowledge test' approach. Instead, learning science has other prescriptions for creating learning that leads to a persistent benefit. Where can we find the most valuable steps to take to make our learning better?

In this session, we'll look at the three most important elements for learning. We'll define them; describing what they are and why they're necessary. We'll also look at how to make them happen. We'll explore how the right practice, contextualized and with specific feedback, is the most important contributor to learning. We'll look at the value and mechanisms of a compelling introduction to kickoff learning (and a paired closing to complete the experience). And we'll look at the details that make the minimal additional content—models and examples—become powerful support for performance outcomes. We'll talk about how to do all this in the real world, where budgets and schedules rule. We'll use creative learning experiences to illustrate what we're talking about, brainstorming solutions and applying the principles to examples. You'll leave with some sound principles that can be readily applied to your learning projects. Come find out what makes the difference in learning, and how to do it!

In this session, you will learn:

• What makes meaningful practice, and what it looks like in practice
• What is needed to make useful models and the minimal necessary set of examples
• What gives an introduction a 'hook' upon which to inspire learning
• The basics of our cognitive architecture

Technology discussed in this session:

Authoring tools