Construct Education is becoming OES. New name, same team, and same commitment to online learning excellence.
Construct Education is becoming OES. New name, same team, and same commitment to online learning excellence.
Learning Designer
When people think about learning design, they often assume it’s just about making courses visually appealing or acting as a glorified quality control agent. But it’s not just about looking good—it is about making a real impact. Learning design is a complex and dynamic process that blends psychology, strategy, technology, and creativity.
The professionals behind it all—learning designers, strategists, and architects—work tirelessly to ensure learning experiences drive real-world change. It’s about crafting experiences that not only teach but also engage, challenge, and inspire.
Let’s take a closer look at a day in the life of these unsung heroes of learning design.
Setting the Stage: A Real-Life Scenario
Picture this: A learning strategist gets a call from the HR leader of a company that’s just switched to a remote-first model. The new challenge? Managers need upskilling. Fast. The strategist’s mission? To develop a learning plan that matches this new reality and aligns with the company’s goals.
The Learning Strategist kicks off the process with a coffee in hand (essential, of course) and a meeting with HR, department heads, and L&D teams. The goal? To align learning with the company’s objectives and ensure that training isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a tool that drives measurable success.
Key Questions the Strategist Asks:
The Learning Strategist doesn’t just plan training. They craft a strategic roadmap, collecting data, performance metrics, and feedback to ensure the program hits its mark.
No pressure, right?
While the Learning Strategist is busy plotting the vision, the Learning Architect is the one ensuring everything clicks together. They make sure that the technology, pedagogy, and content are seamlessly integrated.
Key Responsibilities Include:
By the end of the day, the architect has constructed a detailed blueprint for content delivery, system integration, and learner tracking. It’s like building a skyscraper but with knowledge.
This isn’t a solo mission—learning design is a team sport. The strategist, architect, and designer work hand in hand, constantly exchanging ideas, feedback, and, occasionally, coffee runs or the occasional death-by-chocolate (it’s a demanding job!).
For instance, as the architect is piecing together the tech side of things, they collaborate with the designer to make sure the learning modules are not only functional but also engaging. And the designer? Well, they’re working closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to create content that’s not just educational but also relatable and practical.
Think of it as a dance: the strategist provides the direction, the architect builds the stage, and the designer makes sure the audience (aka learners) has an unforgettable experience.
Now for the fun part: designing the learning experience itself. In our scenario, the Learning Strategist has surmised that the managers of the company that will be working remotely need to ensure that their data and communications are as secure as possible.
The Learning Designer is therefore developing an interactive cybersecurity course.
Instead of boring lectures, they collaborate with an SME to create real-world simulations, like a phishing attack, so the managers can practice spotting threats in a safe environment.
The Designer’s Daily To-Do List:
And while the designer is busy crafting engaging scenarios, the Learning Architect plays an additional role in the learning team as thought leaders, driving the team’s understanding and implementation of learning science in ways that are practical and appropriate to our context.
Challenge: Learners sometimes disengage if the content is too theoretical and lacks real-world application.
Solution: Incorporating practical case studies, real-world scenarios, and interactive elements boosts engagement and retention.
The day isn’t over yet. After the initial design is mapped out, it’s time for feedback loops, user testing, and refining.
It’s a lot like making a stew: you start with the ingredients, but the real magic happens after a few taste tests!
Key Steps in the Process:
Pro Tip: When designing a blended learning program, make sure the eLearning complements, not replaces, in-person sessions. The best programs strike a balance, offering the best of both worlds.
Once the content is launched, it’s time to gather data. But don’t think the work ends there—this is where the learning strategist shines.
Key Activities:
Meanwhile, the designer continues to iterate on the content, improving engagement, while the architect ensures that analytics are in place to measure success.
Challenge: When the client isn’t aligned or clear on a particular aspect of the course, we can receive incomplete or even conflicting feedback.
Solution: A dedicated person on the client side who provides consolidated feedback ensures that expectations and revisions stay clear and manageable.
As the day wraps up, the team takes a moment to reflect on the project. What went well? What can be improved for next time? Every project is a learning opportunity, a chance to grow, innovate, and refine the process.
It’s a team effort through and through—and it’s far from over. In the world of learning design, there’s always room for improvement, and the work never truly ends. Every course is an opportunity to make an impact.
At the end of the day, learning design is all about collaboration—strategists, architects, and designers working together to create programs and courses that aren’t just engaging but impactful, ensuring that the lessons learned stick long after the course is over.
What’s your experience with learning programs? Have you ever thought about the teams behind the scenes that create them?
If you’re curious about how to implement effective learning strategies in your organization, feel free to reach out.
Let’s continue the conversation about how we can create meaningful learning experiences together!
