Break the chains of learning

The player navigation is just a way to get from one piece of information to the other. That’s not instructional design.

Another great post from Tom at the Rapid E-Learning Blog. It discusses the problem with locking the navigation to a course to force all learners to go through the content linearly.

This piggybacks on the last post regarding the Whole Brain model. Learners learn differently. Trying to force a learning style on someone that doesn't fit is likely to cause problems.

Instead, design a course that compels the learner to want engage with the course.

• Guide the learner through the course, rather than forcing the navigation.
• Give the learners the freedom to demonstrate their level of understanding.
• Make the content relevant to the learners.

It's time to give the learners more credit. Many want to click right through because they expect the training to be stale, they are not clear on how its relevant to their jobs and it doesn't cause much of an impact. By designing courses that focus on a desired outcome rather than a delivery of content, the learners will appreciate the courses more... and they're much more fun to build.