In the early days of education, teachers would lecture, and send their students home with written homework – day in and day out. Today, chances are, if you were to ask 20 educators to develop a course on a single topic, you’d see 20 very different courses, showcasing a number of creative ideas for learning (many of which wouldn’t include a lecture or homework). Advances in technology and research into the benefits of differentiating content has made learning development a more creative endeavor than ever before.

WHAT IS DIFFERENTIATION?
Differentiation is the act of matching a wide variety of learner needs with content and instruction to meet those needs. In other words, differentiation prevents a “one size fits all” approach. Everyone’s brains are different. Without even addressing that fact, we all like different things. To address these points, Learning Experience Designers develop learning opportunities to reach most learners by creating content that can be absorbed in different ways. Our goal is to organize the content to provide them with a pathway to success that they can consume individually or as part of a larger group.

The two main parts of differentiation are content and instruction. While Learning Experience Designers (LXDs) are often handed the content, we don’t have much control over the course we’re designing. However, we do have control over how the course is instructed. This is the sweet spot where LXDs shine. Through thoughtful use of design, technology, and creativity, LXDs can create a learning opportunity meant to reach a diverse audience.

Within the wide range of content development, there are three general types of instruction: Instructor-led, Online and Blended.  Let’s take a look at each to see just how creative you can be!

INSTRUCTOR-LED LEARNING
Instructor-led learning is just what it sounds like; learners are in a classroom and are taught by an instructor. This type of traditional classroom learning still reigns supreme in elementary and secondary schools. Even in many training programs designed for adults, classroom-based learning led by an instructor is very popular. When designing instructor-led content, the factors to address are class size, space, technology needs, timing, and access to a qualified instructor.

However, with instructor-led learning you can still be creative with the types of content you develop. Because learners are in the space with the instructor, hands-on experiences can be designed to encourage more social learning. Additionally you can use or write articles or case studies to examine as part of large or small group interactions. Even videos or musical selections can bring topics to life in a new way. With that in mind, LXDs also design content to facilitate instructor-led learning such as slides, instructor/facilitator guides and learner guides, etc.

The downside of instructor-led learning was fully realized during the 2020 pandemic. It became more difficult to plan these types of classes, due to social distancing concerns, as well as other health-related factors. However, instructor-led learning still remains a useful way to teach complex topics in a more social manner.

ONLINE LEARNING
Online learning is learning that occurs online, incorporating many different forms of technology. There are two different forms of online learning. The first is similar to instructor-led, in that an instructor is leading the class. However, learners are attending online through the use of a teleconference platform. This is synchronous online learning. In the early days of the pandemic, most schools were teaching in this manner. Asynchronous online learning is the type most people are familiar with if you’ve ever had to participate in compliance or mandatory training at work. In this type, the learning can be accessed at any time, and the learner participates whenever is convenient for them. Both synchronous and asynchronous use a platform known as a learning management system (sometimes called a virtual classroom) as a hub for learners and instructors to access the content. Online learning is helpful because it allows you to reach larger audiences in a single course or session – assuming users have access to the internet and a device.

However, if a learner can’t use the content or is bored by how it’s presented, the content is not conducive to learning. When designing online learning, graphic, user interaction and interface design are key pieces of the puzzle. You can also add other forms of technology to liven up the learning. Podcasts are popular and an easy way to convey stories. Online video platforms, or streaming services can provide tie-ins to specific topics – provided you’re following copyright procedures. Infographics or interactive data can be used to gain a better understanding of more complex content, while online journals, magazines, or even blogs can expand on the topic. Even social media can be used to provide a quick microlearning moment for facts and figures. While discussion boards and other messaging services provide peer interaction for learners that may miss the classroom. The addition of gaming concepts such as competition or badging can be also used to increase audience interaction.

Though online learning is extremely versatile, it has a few drawbacks. LXDs must have a clear understanding of how people learn, and how best to create content that is merely more than clicking through text on a screen. Also, due to technology access and inconsistencies throughout the world, some learners may not have the ability to engage in this type of learning.

BLENDED LEARNING
Blended learning employs aspects of both instructor-led and online learning showcasing a blended approach. In this type, learners may attend an instructor-led session with their peers for example, and then head home to complete an online module. In line with both instructor-led and online learning, with the blended approach you can incorporate any number of technological or text-based alternatives, allowing for an even more well-rounded learning opportunity.

WHAT’S NEXT?
With so many approaches to designing learning, selecting the most effective way to structure content can be challenging. But ultimately, learner needs should be the deciding factor. In our next post, we’ll focus on those needs. Join us as we take a closer look at accessibility – why it matters, and how it affects how people learn. Check back often to learn more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Written By:
Kristen Price
Principal Learning Experience Designer