Design for How People Learn

This book is an absolute gem. I'm only about a third of the way through it, but so far it has been that riveting, relevant and clearly useful that I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending it now to any educator out there thinking about learning design (whether for e-learning or face to face educational settings).As the title suggests, this gets right into the whole notion of learning and how people learn, identifying and building out the design principles from those central tenets. Delicious detail and concrete exemplification is applied to the whole notion of learning 'gaps' based on knowledge, skills, motivation and environment. It explores the central importance of how things are noticed, remembered and facilitated into longer term memory (or not).If you've caught yourself thinking that too much of the learning design chit-chat out there has become mired in bells and whistles, Learning Management Systems, rapid authoring tools, (and the list goes on) then I think you'll really appreciate this expert's insistence on getting back to what really matters: the what, why, how, where, when (and which) of learning itself.The E-Learning aspect is still certainly there, but in its rightful role as a medium and mode built around that central prioritisation on learning.I also found it interesting (and impressive) how Julie's approach in the book really exemplified her own expertise in this area: the learning design of the book itself is evident to anyone who knows a good teacher when they see/hear/read one. She makes everything crystal clear and the transition from principle to real world application and relevance (or vice versa) is seamless, non-threatening and respectful of audience even as it stamps the author's own firmly held beliefs about learning very clearly on the scene(s).I was in the middle of designing an online resource when I started reading this book. It's added four days to the design process and production already as I get reminder after reminder and rationale after rationale about what different learners (potentially) really need. I guess I did already know about these priorities, and have certainly seen or put them into action in one training/learning scene or another, but the book and its content have been a very timely reminder to put greater effort into seeing that more of the little things that matter actually happen in an online learning experience.Excellent read and bursting with potential to change the way you both perceive learning and go about facilitating it.[ Reviewed on my blog at: [...] ]

I’m a voracious reader and overall knowledge sponge, especially when it comes to adult learning and professional development. Design for How People Learn has utterly transformed how I create and deliver learning programs.The book is insightful, witty, smart, and entertaining, and full of so many aha’s, practical tips, and counterintuitive strategies that I had to run for a new highlighter about halfway through. Here are a few examples:• In most learning situations, we assume that the gap is information. But having information doesn’t accomplish anything by itself. Something is accomplished when the learner uses that information to do things.• To determine if something is a skill gap vs a knowledge gap, you need to ask just one question: Is it reasonable to think that someone can be proficient without practice?• A lot of learning projects start with the goal, rather than the problem. That puts you in a position of solving problems people don’t actually have, while failing to address the real issues.• Sometimes it’s not a learning problem, but rather a problem of communication or leadership. Recognizing those instances can save a lot of time going in the wrong direction.• Your job is to make your learners feel smart and capable. You need to give them a safe path into the material.• If you can figure out a way for more experienced learners to use their expertise to enhance the journey for others, they will have a whole different level of engagement with the material.• Just say no to learning objective slides at the beginning of the course. Use a challenge, scenario or a “mission” message to focus the learners’ attention and let them know where they are headed.I know I have started to adopt some of these practices that I had not yet been using, and it’s made a world of difference in helping me to create learning that really sticks, every time.This book is perfect for anyone who designs learning programs of any kind. Although the book is intended for those of us who create adult learning programs, I think teachers with students of all ages can benefit immensely.

As someone who has recently moved into the instructional design world with gusto, I found this book to be one of the most excellent primers out there. It's not an in-depth discussion of the issues, but it'll give anyone a quick overview of how to design effective training.Pros:- Covers many topics in some level of detail- Gives an excellent primer on the most important topics of instructional design- Vibrant colors, photos, pictures, etc., add to the quality of the book and keep it interesting to read - though see my comment belowCons:- It's not as in-depth as other works in the field.- The constant use of corny cartoons became grating after a while, as I'd rather have some serious discussion on topics than yet another graphic. It felt more like training that someone was used to delivering via Powerpoint or instruction books in a classroom environment than a book for me to read on my own. I'd like a bit more verbiage for a self-study book.