I design for learning because…
Throughout my career, I have supported colleagues, employers, and clients in learning how to do things in a way that helps them advance in their day-to-day tasks or accomplish something bigger – a longer-term goal or objective. Often, I was the subject matter expert, and if I wasn’t, I researched the process or technology and then practiced until I knew it well. The processes and training I designed and facilitated started out in person – otherwise known as instructor-led. But I was also a designer with a background in media and marketing. The advent of eLearning was intriguing to me – and it would open up opportunities to work with other subject matter experts (and to incorporate blended learning into learning plans). Yet, some of the eLearning I had to endure myself was less than exciting.
As YouTubers began dropping videos and building a large subscriber base by imparting and sharing their expertise, it would force traditional eLearning developers AND traditional facilitators to think differently. A welcome change! For someone like me, these possibilities stirred my imagination long ago.
I design for learning because it’s what can make our conversations more interesting. It’s what can cause people to take tangents on traditional concepts, spawning new ideas. I design for learning because it has the ability to stir up child-like wonder – and yet help us complete the most practically needed things to get us through the day.
I design for learning because it allows me to continue to learn, too – and then turn around and share that with others.
