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Core:

Understanding of learner needs and goals is the foundation of engaging learning experiences.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Hardly anyone would acknowledge intimate familiarity with the rationale and motives of a chicken.

But a critical point is often lost in the pun:

The chicken made it.

No matter how chicken-brained the motive, it crossed the road.

The road connected the chicken to its goal.

Learners enter each learning experience with their needs at the forefront of their minds.

Motivating learners to get to ‘the other side’ means clearly delineating outcomes that yield personal learner benefits.

Understanding the learner is key to motivation and engagement.

Because engaging material is centered around learner needs and goals.

So is chicken-whispering an aspect of learning experience design?

Yes it is.

Because knowing what learners see on the other side informs road development.

What do learners really want?

What skills help fulfill their real needs?

What feedback is relevant to them?

What do they really need to do?

The learning experience that enables learners to reach their goals is truly a road worth crossing.

Further Reading:

Nordengren, C. (2019, July, 15). Goal-setting practices that support a learning culture. Phi Delta Kappan. https://kappanonline.org/goal-setting-practices-support-learning-culture-nordengren/

Latham G.P., Seijts, G. (2006, May/June). LEARNING GOALS OR PERFORMANCE GOALS: IS IT THE JOURNEY OR THE DESTINATION? https://iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/learning-goals-or-performance-goals-is-it-the-journey-or-the-destination/

Gutierrez, K. n.d. Effective Goal-Setting in eLearning: Which Type of Goals to Use. Shift Elearning. https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/342241/Effective-Goal-Setting-in-eLearning-Which-Type-of-Goals-to-Use

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Brian Harris

Brian Harris is the Chief of Design and Development with Brilliant Educational Services. He specializes in producing learning experiences and educational materials that are engaging, entertaining, and effective.