Designing effective training material involves working on three fronts simultaneously.

The knowledge process allows the client to select the content. We identify the knowledge that will be converted into learning objects, specify which type of knowledge it is (declarative, procedural, conditional or factual) and establish links between these knowledge elements.

This process leads to a knowledge model, a kind of “knowledge map” plotted by the content expert. What we have here is raw content devoid of all educational or media-related considerations.

The educational process: Now that we have identified the types of knowledge and the links between them, we can choose the most effective learning strategy—or strategies. Presentations, which are probably the most popular strategy, are perfect for factual knowledge but rather ineffective for other types of knowledge. Nevertheless, we use them all the time without questioning their effectiveness. We can create much more effective and dynamic learning environments with strategies such as simulation, laboratory activities, workshops, projects, role-playing, case studies, etc. These powerful strategies are especially well suited for strategic and procedural knowledge.

The educational process creates plans and blueprints and generates all the educational specifications of the learning system to be produced. We then have all the necessary data for the media production process.

The media production process defines the physical shape of the learning system. Printed materials, multimedia materials and websites all have different constraints. This step should allow the client to make the most of each medium’s possibilities while taking its strengths and weaknesses into account. Media related decisions should be based on the applicable constraints and instructional requirements, not the other way around.

A learning system with awesome media production value but no meaningful educational dimension is like a terrific car… made out of tinfoil!

Françoise Crevier, Ph.D.