week 6

learning design poses an effective tool for planning and implementing teaching methods both in and out of the classroom. the plan comprises a mapped network with specific tasks and learning objectives, as well as the establishment of support (affiliated websites, FAQs, forum etc.) and resources (interaction via blogs, chat, worksheets etc.) which would aid in meeting the desired outcomes.

i feel that learning design plans should be drawn up clearly and effectively before the onset of any learning activity because it provides a clear visual for the learning pattern and allows trainers to recognise any possible loopholes or disparities that could arise. this saves much time and effort as mistakes are realised early and not halfway through the learning process.

however, learning design plans are not without their cons. the concise planning of a comprehensive and foolproof learning design which successfully covers all possible areas of learning requires a heavy investment of time, effort and critical thinking. also, learning design are expensive to reproduce and once finalised, pose the problem of inflexibility for future alterations. nevertheless, i feel that it is a good way for trainers, especially novices, to visualise their teaching modes and put it on paper which results in a systematic and transparent approach to learning.

below is an example of a learning design my group and i concepted, on the topic of learning basic photoshop skills.