SDD106 Using UX Design to Reduce Cognitive Load in Learning Experiences
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Tuesday, March 26
Expo Hall: Design & Development Stage
As an eLearning professional, it’s easy to become so focused on developing that perfect course that you forget to consider the systems you use to deliver your content. Whether this takes the form of a commercial learning management system or a custom application, designers often don’t take the time to consider how their courses fit into these systems and how their designs can play a large role in how effectively students can learn. While proper instructional development is important, good UX design is just as important. Both disciplines seek to minimize the cognitive load on extraneous factors so that the curriculum itself can take center stage. This is why considering user experience (UX) design during the instructional design process is important.
In this session, you’ll learn how you can bridge the gap between instructional design and user experience design. You’ll explore the relationship between instructional design, UX design, and their impact on cognitive load. You’ll learn about the importance of these fields and the roles they play in developing an environment of effective learning. You’ll also learn about the most common ways you can implement changes to your design to help build a more holistic learning experience. You’ll see examples of good and bad UX/UI design and be able to share your own experiences, whether with your own design or other designs you’ve seen.
In this session, you will learn:
- About the importance of considering both instructional design and user experience design when developing your curriculum
- What cognitive load theory is, and what its impact is on a learner
- How to recognize common design elements that impact cognitive load, and suggestions on how you can minimize them
- How to differentiate from good and bad user experience design
- How to make design decisions on bridging the gap between instructional design and user experience design
Audience:
Designers and developers
Sing Wong
Learning Solutions Manager
Penn State University
Sing Wong is manager of learning design and communications at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. He manages a team of learning designers, production specialists, and developers to produce researched-based educational solutions to help improve the lives of United States military members and their families. His areas of expertise include instructional design, educational technology, faculty development, adult learning, student engagement, active learning, MOOCs, and the development of STEM-related courses. Sing has presented at various education conferences, including the OLC Accelerate, Learning Solutions, and Penn State's Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium.
Matt McGee
Learning Designer
Penn State University
Matt McGee is a learning designer/developer for Penn State, where he creates learning solutions for training problems. Using design thinking models and rapid development tools like Articulate Storyline, he focuses on creating simulations and trainings that allow learners to practice real-life skills in a virtual setting. His work primarily consists of the creation of 508-compliant, high-fidelity, high-interactivity online learning environments for use in professional development by the United States Department of Defense and partners. His portfolio includes virtual, as well as face-to-face, trainings and knowledge-as-you-need reference tools.