Designing a Learning Plan

Designing a Learning Plan Summary:

1. Foundation for Designing a Learning Plan:

   • Identify learning needs.

   • Prioritize needs considering resource and time constraints.

   • Determine the learning approach (training, guided learning, job experiences, self-directed learning).

2. Learning Plan Components:

   • Learning Objectives: Clearly defined knowledge, skills, and attributes to be gained.

   • Plan of Instruction: Detailed roadmap including content, sequencing, and instructional activities.

3. Learning Objectives:

   • Characteristics: Capability, conditions, and criteria for acceptable performance.

   • Types: Closed skills (precise response) and open skills (guidelines/principles).

   • Sequencing: Ensure prerequisites are acquired before advanced content.

4. Plan of Instruction:

   • Includes sequenced content, specific facts, concepts, and skills.

   • Breaks down into blocks, each with individual lesson plans.

   • Provides a roadmap for achieving learning objectives.

5. Problem-Centered Approach:

   • Phases: Problem identification, activating previous knowledge, demonstration, application, and integration/reflection.

   • Adequate time for each phase is crucial.

6. Understanding the Learner:

   • Consider organizational culture and motivation.

   • Motivation to Learn: Arousal, direction, intensity, and persistence.

   • Theories: Expectancy theory, social learning theory, goal-setting theory, self-determination theory.

7. Factors Influencing Motivation:

   • Personality traits, locus of control, anxiety levels, value placed on continuous improvement, situational factors.

   • Readiness and preparedness are key; trainability assessments can predict success.

   • Pre-briefs, pre-learning tests, and preparatory information enhance preparation.

8. Enhancing Desire to Learn:

   • Choice in learning topics increases motivation.

   • Satisfaction with past training correlates with motivation for new learning.

   • Positive framing of upcoming learning events is crucial.

   • Focus on mastery orientation over performance skill orientation.

9. Best Practice Guidelines:

   • Adopt a problem-centered approach for real-world performance.

   • Clearly identify learning outcomes and translate them into specific objectives.

   • Sequence objectives logically to build knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy.

   • Ensure consistency in instructional design across all components.

   • Apply the lesson plan checklist during development and evaluation.

   • Incorporate strategies to enhance learner motivation.

   • Foster a positive learning state by focusing on mastery goals.