A Learning Design Canvas - Take 1!
Business Model Generation
At work, I've been working through a very helpful book called Business Model Generation that walks you through the various components of a business model. The book is not your average, deadly-boring, text-and-chart heavy textbook; it's fun, funky and funk-tional! I really like the attention to visuals and design that they gave throughout the book (Anyone else a V-A-K?), including this great hand-drawn overview graphic of the 9 elements of a business model.
But I also like the more conventional table or "canvas" that they provide for recording the details of your own business model:
It really gives you a simple, one-page overview of the key components of your model, making analysis and communication much easier.
Which got me thinking.....
What if we did something similar for creating learning designs? So often, I've just written my designs in a prose format in the classic order from "WHO to HOW", but never on a simple chart. What would it look like if we had a Learning Design Canvas that would lay out the key elements or Jane Vella's "7 Steps of Design" on one page?
Much doodling ensued....
<scratching of pencil on paper>
<crumbling paper sound>
<paper ball swishing into recycling bin>
<more scratching of pencil on paper>
Here's a first draft:
A Learning Design Canvas: Take One
Now, it's only a first draft, but I think that it does illustrate the interconnections between the four design parameters:
- Who (Participants - Learners, Facilitators & Sponsors),
- Why (The Situation that Calls for the Learning,
- Where (Location & Venue) and
- When (Date and Time)
and how they literally frame the subsequent design decisions that I need to make about the:
- What (Content),
- What For (Achievement Based Objectives) and
- How (Process, Topical Program or series of Learning Tasks).
It also illustrates the tight connections between:
- The Who and the What: pick the right content for your learners
- The Why and the What For: the ABOs need to support the overall purpose of the event
- The When and Where to the How: since time and venue often limit the type of learning tasks that we can design
But I'm not sure how it will work when I actually start to fill in the details; it might be tricky to include enough detail and keep it to one page, unless I only include key terms or use a tiny font
It also doesn't leave much space for the remaining 3 design steps; something that I'll consider adding in the another draft.
But what do you think? Do you have any learning design templates that you use? Your How About's are always welcomed!
Dwayne
p.s. If you've enjoyed reading this and/or are interested in a dialogue education learning design and facilitation, I invite you to subscribe to my blog if you'd like to receive these posts directly in your inbox. And if you refer a friend, I'll even send along a free coffee with every post! Please also visit our friends at the Speaking of Dialogue blog for some great discussions.
dh
Some Responses to the Learning Design Canvas Post:
Last October, I posted a sketch of a Learning Design Canvas. I really enjoyed hearing of some additional approaches to mapping out the steps of design that you've been using, including:
1) The Classic, Narrative Model!
A Note Bella from Peter Noteboom of Global Learning Partners shared how he continued to use the classic written list. He likes it because it keeps the WHO prominent as the starting place for any learning design.
2) The Consolidated What/What For - LTI Indicators Embedded - 4C Model
Margaret Spielmann, & Jenny Giezendanner from SIL shared a very detailed "Learning Module Design Guide" (along with an explanation) that they use in their Learning that LASTS classes. It's an intriguing innovation in that it:
a) Combines both the What (content) and What For (Achievement-Based Objectives) in Step 3 but also adds in indicators of Learning Transfer and Impact.
b) Provides yet another alternative formulation of the 4A / 4I Learning Task model, the 4C model:
- Connection (the inductive task)
- Content (the new knowledge, skills and attitudes the learners will engage with)
- Challenge (what they will do with the new KSAs)
- Change (the difference it will make in the future)
Thanks, Jenny & Margaret for sharing this template.
3) A Very Comprehensive Learning Concept Map
Wendy Wong sent a link to Don Clark's Learning Concept Map which led me to his eclectic, but chock-a-block full-of-neat-ideas website. There is some great stuff there; check it out!
Take a Look at the Video Tutorial:
I've since created a video that explains how the different parts of the canvas fit together. Check it out!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 9:40PM | 10 Comments Share Article Email Article Print Article
Reader Comments (10)
Hi. Yes, my colleagues and I are using a design template that's a bit more linear than yours, but easy to use and a good reminder to think through each of the questions. We've combined the What and What for into short-term, medium-term and long-term goals of learning, transfer and impact, too.
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Cool. Could you send me an example that I could post? I am intrigued by the time frame you use for the What /What For to map out LTI.
Dwayne, I still use the basic format that is featured in the Learning to Listen course, with Who, Why, When, and Where down the top, then the What, What For, and How in rows below. I often find myself wanting to skip the separation of What and What For, but know I need the discipline of turning content into the right kind of action for the learning task. What I like in your canvas above is the link between the Who and the What, and the Why and the What For...
Now, what I've often dreamt of but don't have either the time or technical savvy to create, is a canvas or form like this that systematically takes me through a design process, then when I'm finished takes that inserted text and translates it directly into a nicely laid out design.A 2.0 version of such a program would have samples of tested learning tasks and formats to click and edit and include.
The Business Model Canvas is, I agree, a beautiful example of turning loads of content into excellent visuals that demonstrate the relationship between the ideas very well. It also helps with memory, since I've been using that business model canvas over and over in different situations.
Peter, the linear format works well on that it forces you to start with the Who. But I find that I often know some of the other steps first (e.g. Key content pieces, the boss' Why) so it means starting with whatever I got, but then going back and prioritizing the learners Who and Why.
I also am tempted to run the What and What For together, but there is wisdom in keeping those as two steps or elements to help keep the design focused on the key content. As well, the ABOs are tricky enough to write already, so breaking this into two steps can be helpful.
A program like that would be awesome! I'll get my research department working on it right away!
The BMG book is great. My kind of book: lots of pictures! Glad to know it is informing GLP's work.
Cheers, dh
I really like this first draft of your design template, especially how it shows the connection between Why and What For, and How with When and Where. I'll be curious to see how it develops!
As Jenny (above) mentioned, we have been using a template, that we call a "Design Guide" for many years now. Our participants find this "Job Aid" extremely helpful in designing modules - just fill it out, answering all the questions, and you have all the foundations of a good learning module.