This course will introduce you to a learning environment design framework that can provide guidance in envisioning and selecting a powerful set of resources to support learning in your organization. You will learn how to pull together formal, informal, social, and experiential learning in a comprehensive strategy that supports self-directed learning and development of the knowledge and skills your learners need. You will also learn how to draft and obtain feedback on a learning environment design of your own.

Course Description:

People who want to learn have more choices today than ever before. Learning and development professionals are being urged to avoid creating courses, and instead set up ecosystems that allow learners to use web-based resources, work-based experiences, and networks for learning support. The conventional wisdom is that learners will be able to access what they need when they need it, but the reality is that the array of choices can produce decision paralysis and frustration, rather than empowerment. A designer or learning leader can add tremendous value by curating and assembling vetted resources for specific learning needs, thereby creating a learning environment of relevant materials and connections.

This course gives you insight into the research- and theory-based learning processes that a learning environment supports, so you can make well-considered decisions about which resources to provide your learners. Key takeaways include a variety of job aids, templates, checklists, and recommendations that help you to design learning environments and to make valuable contributions that support self-directed learning in your organization.

The course itself models learning environment design by including online discussions, interim exercises, and enrichment resources, as well as the opportunity to draft and obtain feedback on a learning environment design of your own.

Course Objectives: In this course, you will:

• Discuss the trends that require learning professionals to advocate more self-directed, informal, experiential, and social learning in addition to the more traditional learning and development strategies
• Discuss how blended learning is evolving as the tools and resources available continue to grow
• Learn a flexible process for designing a learning environment (a curated set of resources and activities for learning)
• Gain insight into the range of components that make up a learning environment
• Apply research-based principles for ensuring effectiveness of the blended learning environment and of the individual learning components at a high level
• Design a learning environment for a specific need

Syllabus

The following topics are covered:

SESSION ONE AND TWO: Wednesday, March 2

Synchronous web session

• Why a new framework for blended learning is needed
• Introduction to learning environments
• L&D role in designing learning environments

SESSION TWO: Sunday, March 13

Face-to-face in Orlando, Florida

• Factors that predict success of learning environments
• Learning environment components
• Overview of processes for learning environment design (envisioning, finding, curating, assembling, and cultivating)
• How to craft and position a learning environment blueprint for stakeholders
• Finding and curating resources and activities
• Hands-on case activities around the process of creating a learning environment

SESSION THREE: Monday, March 14

Face-to-face in Orlando, Florida

• Options for assembling learning environments
• Learning environment quality indicators
• Cultivating a learning environment over time
• Evaluation strategies
• Hands-on case activities around the process of creating a learning environment
• Developing a learning community and leveraging social learning and social media

SESSION THREE: Wednesday, March 23

Synchronous web session

• Learning environment examples
• Future of learning in the digital age
• Q&A

Who Should Attend:

The audience for this course is learning leaders and individual contributors interested in exploring how informal, social, and experiential learning can be integrated in a more comprehensive approach; designers, consultants, and other learning leaders charged with analyzing learning needs and strategizing appropriate responses; and anyone who wants to understand more deeply how learning is empowered through a range of strategies, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

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Pricing:

$1,095.00 USD: Rate for Associates and Non-members
$895.00 USD: Rate for Associates and Non-members with Learning Solutions Registration
$876.00 USD: for eLearning Guild paid members
$676.00 USD: for eLearning Guild paid members with Learning Solutions Registration

Learn more about other registration discounts for which you may qualify.

Dates & Times:

• Wednesday, March 2: Live online training, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM PT
• Sunday, March 13, and Monday, March 14: In-person training (Learning Solutions 2016 Conference & Expo, Orlando, Florida), 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM local time
• Wednesday, March 23: Live virtual follow-up session, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM PT

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Instructor:

Catherine Lombardozzi is the founder of Learning 4 Learning Professionals, a consulting practice that specializes in the development of designers, facilitators, consultants, and learning leaders. Catherine is a career workplace learning professional with nearly 30 years’ experience in the field. She contributes to professional conferences and journals, and she teaches graduate-level courses in adult learning, instructional design, eCollaboration, and consulting. Catherine holds a doctoral degree in human and organizational learning from George Washington University.

Additional Information:

Duration: This blended course comprises an opening webinar (1.5 hours), a two-day workshop, and a closing webinar (1.5 hours), along with online discussions and enrichment materials and activities. The course combines virtual live online training and a face-to-face workshop taking place at the Learning Solutions 2016 Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida, on March 13 and 14.

Class Size: Class size limited to 20.

Prerequisites: None.

Requirements: This Guild Academy live online training course uses Adobe Connect and Learning Stone—more info.