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Simplified Learning

I have always sought simplicity in every learning solution that I develop. As our products evolve to simplify more and more complicated day to day problems, the learning solutions must be simplified as well. My post about the Future of Organizational Learning was a thought in this direction but on a broader scale. Now I'm thinking of a granular level of learning that can be developed and packaged with the product. Large enterprise products solve complex domain specific problems. Learning about such products becomes equally complex. Hence our role as learning designers calls for us to be specialists. We must be able to design learning so it can be seamlessly interspersed within the product.

Imagine a newly installed enterprise solution with many of pages, regions, dashboards, etc. The user who is a domain specialist and probably familiar with related products in the domain must be able to log in and use the product without having to undergo a rigorous and exhaustive learning regime before using the product. Its pointless if we strive to solve a complex problem, but learning to use the tools itself becomes a challenge. Learning must be interactively available in the context.

To start with the product itself must be designed with superior user interface that anyone can easily use. So we don't have to create learning for that. That solves one part of the problem and leaves the domain learning issue to be addressed. Someone familiar with the domain should be able to find familiar names on the UI and instantly be able to understand what to do next. Here comes the scope for creating embedded learning units.

Each learning unit is self contained, simplified content that can be in any format:

  • Conceptual information on concepts related the the actions on the toolbar or page.
  • Information about the relationship of the UI object with other areas.
  • Impact of selections user interface choices on related features or objects
  • The underlying principles of certain choices made.
  • Decisions to consider when making choices.
  • How to do something?


This list can evolve, however the key here is that it takes more to 'learn' something that is naturally complex.

Considerations while designing simplified learning
The reality is that the learning designer must know the domain deeply and work very closely with subject matter experts to come up with the simplest way of explaining it to product users. A thorough grasp of the product and domain is an invaluable asset in designing such a granular and interactive learning solution. The learning units can be layered over the product layer based on licenses and be available on request or via a setup option.

Despite this we may still have a demand for advanced learning solutions. Advanced learning can be instructor led or highly interactive simulations. From a cost-benefit ratio perspective ILT is practical but this is something for me to start thinking about as well.

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