How to Develop Content?

WHAT IS “LEARNING” AND “TRAINING?”
Before we explore designing of training modules, perhaps we need to understand what exactly is meant by “learning” and “training”.

Learning
A pure definition of learning could be: ‘Learning is a process that enables someone to acquire new attitudes, skills or knowledge.’

To justify all the direct costs in providing learning opportunities, not to mention the lost revenue-earning time, a business must be able to see a direct benefit resulting from any learning its staff experience. Hence, we need to expand the definition of learning to: ‘Learning is a process that enables someone to acquire new attitudes, skills or knowledge, so that they can do something they couldn’t do before, or do it more effectively.’

The ability to apply learning to make a difference to performance differentiates learning from pure education.

Training
‘Training is any form of process designed to facilitate learning in the target audience.’

Please Note
The most important thing to remember throughout the whole designing process is to always jump into the shoes of the target audience and ask yourself: ‘How will this exercise or task feel for them?’, ‘How will this section of the course or activity facilitate learning?’

THE BENEFITS OF A GOOD DESIGN

• Well structured.
• Varied training methods.
• Logical flow.
• Appropriate models or concepts used.
• Ideas which the participants can take back and use straight away.
• Appropriate balance of theory and practice.
• Good handouts, visual aids or workbooks.
  

The list, which could go on and on, clearly shows the benefits of a good design. Given a well designed course, even an average trainer can deliver an acceptable learning experience. But if you start with a poorly designed course, you will need an exceptional trainer to turn it into anything worthwhile.