The Handbook For Course Creators
Maybe you've heard this quote: "It's not about information, it's about transformation." Ok, great. But how do you design your course so that your learners experience transformation?
Over the next 13 weeks, I'm going to distill down some key strategies and concepts you need to know to design courses that WORK. So let's get into the first one.
#1 Identify & Bridge the Gap for Your Learner
The learner is taking your course because they want to know, do, or feel something they don't currently. There's a gap between where they are now and where they want to be, and they're looking to you to help them bridge it.
Gaps can be:
Knowledge gaps
Skills gaps
Motivation gaps
Habit gaps
Environment gaps
Communication gaps
By identifying the correct gap(s), you have achieved the first step in helping your learner get to where they want to be.
So how do you do this?
It's all about asking the right questions.
Here are a few to get you started...
Knowledge
What information does the learner need to be successful?
When along the route will they need it?
What formats would best support that?
Skills
What will the learners need to practice to develop the needed proficiencies?
What are their opportunities to practice?
Motivation
What is the learner's attitude toward the change?
Are they going to be resistant to changing course?
Habits
Are any of the required behaviors habits?
Are there existing habits that need to be unlearned?
Environment
What in the environment is preventing the learner from being successful?
What is needed to support them in being successful?
Communication
Are the goals being clearly communicated?
*Credit to Julie Dirksen, Design for How People Learn
Happy Course Creating!
Have a spectacular week folks!
Jess Paré
Founder & Chief Learning Alchemist
About The Lab!
Thanks for joining me here in the "lab" as we explore what it takes to transform your wisdom and knowledge into programs, courses, and products you can share with your clients in physical reality. Just as the alchemists of old experimented with combining different elements to see what the outcome would be, I see myself as a bit of a mad scientist (with better hair!). By pouring the content swirling in your head into the beaker of my design process, we alchemize your content into something magical that you can share with your audience.