Keeping the focus on the learner when developing training can be challenging. Aggressive deadlines, a backlog of much needed courses, and limited resources can take the focus off the primary objective: successfully educating the learner. The following tips will keep you on course:
- Project deadlines and company goals are important but don’t let the learner suffer
- Have a complete understanding of each type of learner in your analysis and design stage
- During each review make sure to evaluate progress from the learner’s point of view
- Ensure that everyone on the development team understands the target learner and what that learner should both know and be able to do after completion
At the next project kick-off ask everyone to describe the target audience. Your learning consultant or instructional designer will be the first to speak up. But make sure you check in with the subject matter experts, technical writers, and graphic developers as well. Chances are they will only know their role in the creation process and very little about who is taking the course or why.
If you’re outsourcing your project it’s even more important that your vendor is fully aware of the learning objectives of the intended audience. Make sure to document and share as much detail about the learner as you can with everyone involved in the creation process.
But don’t stop there!
Whether you’re creating courses in-house or outsourcing, consider creating a learner perspective analysis and include it in your course development process. This can be a simple description about the types of learners who will be taking the course or an expanded list that includes job types, roles, current skill levels, and targeted skill levels. It can even include geographic data. The more details you include, and the more often you use this type of documentation in your development process, the greater the chance you’ll have in creating learner-centered courses.
It’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of the learner when you’re in crunch time, developing a course, in eleven languages, for a global audience of learners. Take the time early and often in the development process to focus on your learner. They will thank you for it!
