This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
A different method
How does a designer work? And why is that relevant to designing better learning experiences? It is all about creating new possibilities to learn by using the creative process.
The field of learning is rooted in (applied) educational science. While there are various titles for educational professionals in different parts of the world, there are clear similarities when it comes to the methods they apply. In general, it is a highly structured, methodical, and analytical approach focused on efficient learning. This systematic approach works really well for selecting and combining the right solutions that are proven to work.
)
The approach of a learning experience designer is fundamentally different. LXD is a design discipline that is rooted in (applied) art. Just like other design disciplines, its methods are highly creative, iterative, and often experimental. This is ideal if you want to try things that haven’t been done before and create new possibilities to learn. When I look at the type of clients I serve, they generally come to me when standard solutions fall short and they need a unique design to reach their goals.
The LXD process is a process of creation. While this process is structured, it leaves a lot of space to move around and is never predictable. At the beginning of a design process the end result is not yet defined. The design takes shape over time through several iterations.
This process is fueled by the creativity of the designer and revolves around the people they design for, the learners. By listening to their stories and observing their actions, a designer is able to empathize with the learner and discover new possibilities to solve their problems, tackle their challenges, or address their needs.
A designer is not afraid to break new ground, looking for and experimenting with new possibilities and things that may be overlooked by others.
This enables you to create original, elegant, and effective solutions to the problems you need to solve.
Where others may choose the best solution out of a number of existing options, a designer creates new options to choose from in searching for the best possible solution. This offers a level of creative freedom that people love as they are free to explore new types of learning experiences. Nothing is set in stone; anything is possible!
Later in this book we will dig deeper into the design process and discuss how to design a learning experience.