Describe your instructional design challenge below:

ISPI: THE Performance Improvement ConferenceApril, 2014

Let’s Put “Design” Back into Instructional Design!

Anne M. Apking, CPT

What design thinking tools/methods can you leverage on this challenge?

Design thinking tools I can use…

Learning solutions that are “easy to…” Understand and use Like, love and enjoy Want, need and accept Choose, buy, justify and support Trust and believe Integrate

Prototyping Learning what works, and what

doesn’t, fast. Test small chunks of your learning

solution (i.e., opening activity, case study, exercise, user interface, navigation, etc.) in multiple User Tests.

If you’re introducing new tools, prototype and try them out, A LOT.

Blue Flame Think of the metaphor of the “blue

flame” as a way to break through your learner’s mental barrier.

Do not tolerate scope creep, allowing content or interaction that does not directly support your learning goals.

Think sharp, think narrow. Specialization is not a dirty word.

Your Napkin Pitch should include: Your target learning audience. The learning need, goal or objectives. Your proposed design, at a high level

(delivery approach, deliverables, ballpark specifications).

How this learning solution will “wow” learners and stakeholders.

Reference: Making It Happen: Turning Good Ideas into Great Results by Peter Sheahan (2010)

Design thinking tools I can use…User Tests:

Seek reactions to solutions…are we on the right track?

Engage groups of users/learners with a slice of your learning solution.

Test assumptions you have about your solution and collect loads of data.

Identify aspects of your solution that are at risk of failing.

Run multiple tests with 4-6 users each.

Customer Co-Creation Sessions: Seek ideas for solutions…how can we

make this solution sharper? Put your prototype directly into

the hands of your customers and give them the freedom to mold and shape it as they wish.

Does not simulate the implementation of your solution, but seeks input from customers on how to improve your solution idea.

Run multiple sessions with one customer at a time.

Offer choices and include extremes.

Create a “no selling” zone.Reference: Designing For Growth: A

Design Thinking Toolkit for Managers by Jeanne Liedtka and Tim Ogilvie (2011)

S U C C E SSimple? Is the

purpose central and relevant to the

learner?

Unexpected? Does learning generate interest

and curiosity? Does it surprise? Is it intriguing?

Concrete? Is instruction clear and

descriptive with many examples?

Credible? Is learning

believable and realistic?

Emotional? Does it tap into what learners care

about?

A Story? Can it be shared? Can people learn from it?

Can it be easily remembered?

Making Learning Sticky

Reference: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Take Hold and Others Come Unstuck by Chip and Dan Heath (2007)

VisualsIcons, photographs, illustrations, video,

drawings, logos, comics

AudioSound effects, music,

voice over

PropsAny tangible item that reinforces the “point”

WordsQuotes, slogans,

mottos, lyrics, bumper stickers, analogies,

metaphors

Making Learning Memorable

“The Point”The moral, bottom line,

key message,“The Nub”

What kind of “designer” are you?

Reference: The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO’s Strategies for Beating the Devil’s Advocate & Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization, by Tom Kelley with Jonathan Littman (2005).

Anthropologist User Tests Customer Co-Creation Sessions

Experimenter Prototypes

Cross-Pollinator Blue Flame Easy to…

Hurdler Napkin Pitch

Collaborator Easy to… Customer Co-Creation Sessions

Director Napkin Pitch Easy to…

Experience Architect Sticky Learning Memorable Learning

Set Designer Memorable Learning

Care Giver Memorable Learning Customer Co-Creation Sessions

Storyteller Sticky Learning