Curating BIG Learning Environment Design Challenges

What Makes Designing a Learning Environment so Challenging?

Brad Griffith

September 6, 2016

In my position as a strategic planner for blended learning Sinitiatives, I'm often confronted with challenges that are universal from project to project, department to department.  ILED urges us to consider learning environments as dynamic and complex, both to understand and enhance.  My job is to do both of those things for departments across campus. 

I work in the eLearning division of my university and help departments incorporate blended learning practices into their curriculum.  This revolves around a strategy session in which I have one to two hours to gain an understanding of programs or departments as they currently stand.  This acts as a sort of group consultation wherein I must exercise the skills of empathy in order to understand the needs of my clients, even when they often don't yet know what they need themselves.  The dynamic of being a learning environment designer when you are not the subject-matter expert for the content presents its own unique challenge.

Sometimes in this process, because we discuss blended and online learning, technological skill level is often a great concern.  Learners and facilitators alike must be comfortable enough with technology in learning environments that it doesn't interfere with the learning experience.  This can be just as much of a problem for the facilitator as the learner. 

Why did I think it was a good idea to conditionally release those assignments?!

One of the greatest parts of what I do is to open the eyes of faculty to the needs of their learners in new ways. It seems when we get into discussions of how traditional face to face, synchronous learning environments can be blended into alternative formats, there often arise discussions of content management within the course and overall cognitive load.  It's too easy to fall into a trap of putting too much fluff into a learning environment that inadvertently acts as a distraction for learners.  Streamline the learning process for success!

What is Cognitive Load (CL)?

While it's easy to get caught up in the learning objectives of a course as related to content, I stress the importance of motivation of learners, finding learning gaps, instilling confidence, and ensuring effective interactions, no matter the delivery method of the learning environment.  How do you develop empathy for your the learners in your environment?

Learning Environment Design Challenge Resources:

• Empathy
• Technology Skills (scroll to middle of page):
• Online Learning Skills
• How Students Develop Online Learning Skills:
• Cognitive Load Theory
• Learner Motivation
• Self-Motivated Learning
• Learning Gaps