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The design thinking process is series of steps starting with building empathy for the user, right through to coming up with ideas and turning them into prototypes.

How to apply it:
-Design working workshops
-Banking
-Airbnb
-Health

https://www.steelcase.com/new/
https://careerfoundry.com/

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Design Thinking is not an exclusive property of designers-all great innovators in literature, art, music, science, engineering, and business have practiced it. So, why call it Design Thinking? What's special about Design Thinking is that designers' work processes can help us systematically extract, teach, learn and apply these human-centered techniques to solve problems in a creative and innovative way-in our designs, in our businesses, in our countries, in our lives.
Some of the world's leading brands, such as Apple, Google and Samsung, rapidly adopted the design thinking approach, and leading universities around the world teach the related methodology-including Stanford, Harvard, Imperial College London and the Srishti Institute in India. Before you incorporate design thinking into your own workflows, you need to know what it is and why it's so popular. Here, we'll cut to the chase and tell you what design thinking is all about and why it's so in demand.

What is Design Thinking?

Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test.

Design thinking is an iterative process in which you seek to understand your users, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create innovative solutions which you can prototype and test. The overall goal is to identify alternative strategies and solutions that are not instantly apparent with your initial level of understanding.

Design thinking is more than just a process; it opens up an entirely new way to think, and it offers a collection of hands-on methods to help you apply this new mindset.

In essence, design thinking:

Revolves around a deep interest to understand the people for whom we design products and services.

Helps us observe and develop empathy with the target users.

Enhances our ability to question: in design thinking you question the problem, the assumptions and the implications.

Proves extremely useful when you tackle problems that are ill-defined or unknown.

Involves ongoing experimentation through sketches, prototypes, testing and trials of new concepts and ideas.

In this video, Don Norman, the Grandfather of Human-Centered Design, explains how the approach and flexibility of design thinking can help us tackle major global challenges.
What Are the 5 Phases of Design Thinking?

Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test. You can carry these stages out in parallel, repeat them and circle back to a previous stage at any point in the process.

The core purpose of the process is to allow you to work in a dynamic way to develop and launch innovative ideas.

Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test.

Design Thinking Makes You Think Outside the Box

Design thinking can help people do out-of-the-box or outside-the-box thinking. People who use this methodology:

Attempt to develop new ways of thinking-ways that do not abide by the dominant or more common problem-solving methods.

Have the intention to improve products, services and processes. They seek to analyze and understand how users interact with products to investigate the conditions in which they operate.

Ask significant questions and challenge assumptions. One element of outside-the-box / out-of-the-box thinking is to falsify previous assumptions-i.e., make it possible to prove whether they're valid or not.

As you can see, design thinking offers us a means to think outside the box and also dig that bit deeper into problem-solving. It helps us carry out the right kind of research, create prototypes and test our products and services to uncover new ways to meet our users' needs.

The Grand Old Man of User Experience, Don Norman, who also coined the very term User Experience, explains what Design Thinking is and what's so special about it:

"...the more I pondered the nature of design and reflected on my recent encounters with engineers, business people and others who blindly solved the problems they thought they were facing without question or further study, I realized that these people could benefit from a good dose of design thinking. Designers have developed a number of techniques to avoid being captured by too facile a solution. They take the original problem as a suggestion, not as a final statement, then think broadly about what the real issues underlying this problem statement might really be (for example by using the "Five Whys" approach to get at root causes). Most important of all, is that the process is iterative and expansive. Designers resist the temptation to jump immediately to a solution to the stated problem. Instead, they first spend time determining what the basic, fundamental (root) issue is that needs to be addressed. They don't try to search for a solution until they have determined the real problem, and even then, instead of solving that problem, they stop to consider a wide range of potential solutions. Only then will they finally converge upon their proposal. This process is called "Design Thinking."

- Don Norman, Rethinking Design Thinking

Design Thinking is for Everybody

How many people are involved in the design process when your organization decides to create a new product or service? Teams that build products are often composed of people from a variety of different departments. For this reason, it can be difficult to develop, categorize and organize ideas and solutions for the problems you try to solve. One way you can keep a project on track, and organize the core ideas, is to use a design thinking approach-and everybody can get involved in that!

Tim Brown, CEO of the celebrated innovation and design firm IDEO, emphasizes this in his successful book Change by Design when he says design thinking techniques and strategies belong at every level of a business.

Design thinking is not only for designers but also for creative employees, freelancers and leaders who seek to infuse it into every level of an organization. This widespread adoption of design thinking will drive the creation of alternative products and services for both business and society.

"Design thinking begins with skills designers have learned over many decades in their quest to match human needs with available technical resources within the practical constraints of business. By integrating what is desirable from a human point of view with what is technologically feasible and economically viable, designers have been able to create the products we enjoy today. Design thinking takes the next step, which is to put these tools into the hands of people who may have never thought of themselves as designers and apply them to a vastly greater range of problems."

- Tim Brown, Change by Design, Introduction

Design thinking techniques and strategies belong at every level of a business. You should involve colleagues from a wide range of departments to create a cross-functional team that can utilize knowledge and experience from different specialisms.

Tim Brown also shows how design thinking is not just for everybody-it's about everybody, too. The process is firmly based on how you can generate a holistic and empathic understanding of the problems people face. Design thinking involves ambiguous, and inherently subjective, concepts such as emotions, needs, motivations and drivers of behavior.

In a solely scientific approach (for example, analyzing data), people are reduced to representative numbers, devoid of emotions. Design thinking, on the other hand, considers both quantitative as well as qualitative dimensions to gain a more complete understanding of user needs. For example, you might observe people performing a task such as shopping for groceries, and you might talk to a few shoppers who feel frustrated with the checkout process at the store (qualitative data). You can also ask them how many times a week they go shopping or feel a certain way at the checkout counter (quantitative data). You can then combine these data points to paint a holistic picture of user pain points, needs and problems.

Tim Brown sums up that design thinking provides a third way to look at problems. It's essentially a problem-solving approach that has crystallized in the field of design to combine a holistic user-centered perspective with rational and analytical research-all with the goal to create innovative solutions.

"Design thinking taps into capacities we all have but that are overlooked by more conventional problem-solving practices. It is not only human-centered; it is deeply human in and of itself. Design thinking relies on our ability to be intuitive, to recognize patterns, to construct ideas that have emotional meaning as well as functionality, to express ourselves in media other than words or symbols. Nobody wants to run a business based on feeling, intuition, and inspiration, but an overreliance on the rational and the analytical can be just as dangerous. The integrated approach at the core of the design process suggests a 'third way.'"

- Tim Brown, Change by Design, Introduction

Design Thinking Has a Scientific Side

Design thinking is both an art and a science. It combines investigations into ambiguous elements of the problem with rational and analytical research -the scientific side in other words. This magical concoction reveals previously unknown parameters and helps to uncover alternative strategies which lead to truly innovative solutions.

The scientific activities analyze how users interact with products, and investigate the conditions in which they operate. They include tasks which:

Research users' needs.

Pool experience from previous projects.

Consider present and future conditions specific to the product.

Test the parameters of the problem.

Test the practical application of alternative problem solutions.

Once you arrive at a number of potential solutions, the selection process is then underpinned by rationality. As a designer, you are encouraged to analyze and falsify these solutions to arrive at the best available option for each problem or obstacle identified during phases of the design process.

With this in mind, it may be more correct to say design thinking is not about thinking outside the box, but on its edge, its corner, its flap, and under its bar code-as Clint Runge put it.

Clint Runge is Founder and Managing Director of Archrival, a distinguished youth marketing agency, and adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Resetting Our Mental Boxes and Developing a Fresh Mindset

Thinking outside of the box can provide an innovative solution to a sticky problem. However, thinking outside of the box can be a real challenge as we naturally develop patterns of thinking that are modeled on the repetitive activities and commonly accessed knowledge we surround ourselves with.

Some years ago, an incident occurred where a truck driver tried to pass under a low bridge. But he failed, and the truck was lodged firmly under the bridge. The driver was unable to continue driving through or reverse out.

The story goes that as the truck became stuck, it caused massive traffic problems, which resulted in emergency personnel, engineers, firefighters and truck drivers gathering to devise and negotiate various solutions for dislodging the trapped vehicle.

Emergency workers were debating whether to dismantle parts of the truck or chip away at parts of the bridge. Each spoke of a solution that fitted within his or her respective level of expertise.

A boy walking by and witnessing the intense debate looked at the truck, at the bridge, then looked at the road and said nonchalantly, "Why not just let the air out of the tires?" to the absolute amazement of all the specialists and experts trying to unpick the problem.

When the solution was tested, the truck was able to drive free with ease, having suffered only the damage caused by its initial attempt to pass underneath the bridge. The story symbolizes the struggles we face where oftentimes the most obvious solutions are the ones hardest to come by because of the self-imposed constraints we work within.

It's often difficult for us humans to challenge our assumptions and everyday knowledge because we rely on building patterns of thinking in order to not have to learn everything from scratch every time. We rely on doing everyday processes more or less unconsciously-for example, when we get up in the morning, eat, walk, and read-but also when we assess challenges at work and in our private lives. In particular, experts and specialists rely on their solid thought patterns, and it can be very challenging and difficult for experts to start questioning their knowledge.

Stories Have the Power to Inspire

Why did we tell you this story about the truck and the bridge? Well, it's because stories can help us inspire opportunities, ideas and solutions. Stories are framed around real people and their lives and are important because they're accounts of specific events, not general statements. They provide us with concrete details which help us imagine solutions to particular problems.

Stories also help you develop the eye of a designer. As you walk around the world, you should try to look for the design stories that are all around you. Say to yourself "that's an example of great design" or "that's an example of really bad design " and try to figure out the reasons why.

When you come across something particularly significant, make sure you document it either through photos or video. This will prove beneficial not only to you and your design practice but also to others-your future clients, maybe.

The Take Away

Design Thinking is an iterative and non-linear process. This simply means that the design team continuously uses their results to review, question and improve their initial assumptions, understandings and results. Results from the final stage of the initial work process inform our understanding of the problem, help us determine the parameters of the problem, enable us to redefine the problem, and, perhaps most importantly, provide us with new insights so we can see any alternative solutions that might not have been available with our previous level of understanding.

Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process that consists of 5 phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test. You can carry out the stages in parallel, repeat them and circle back to a previous stage at any point in the process-you don't have to follow them in order.

It's a process that digs abit deeper into problem-solving as you seek to understand your users, challenge assumptions and redefine problems. The design thinking process has both a scientific and artistic side to it, as it asks us to understand and challenge our natural, restrictive patterns of thinking and generate innovative solutions to the problems our users face.

Design thinking is essentially a problem-solving approach that has the intention to improve products. It helps you assess and analyze known aspects of a problem and identify the more ambiguous or peripheral factors that contribute to the conditions of a problem. This contrasts with a more scientific approach where the concrete and known aspects are tested in order to arrive at a solution.

The iterative and ideation-oriented nature of design thinking means we constantly question and acquire knowledge throughout the process. This helps us redefine a problem so we can identify alternative strategies and solutions that aren't instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding.

Design thinking is often referred to as outside-the-box thinking, as designers attempt to develop new ways of thinking that do not abide by the dominant or more common problem-solving methods-just like artists do.

The design thinking process has become increasingly popular over the last few decades because it was key to the success of many high-profile, global organizations. This outside-the-box thinking is now taught at leading universities across the world and is encouraged at every level of business.

"The 'Design Thinking' label is not a myth. It is a description of the application of well-tried design process to new challenges and opportunities, used by people from both design and non-design backgrounds. I welcome the recognition of the term and hope that its use continues to expand and be more universally understood, so that eventually every leader knows how to use design and design thinking for innovation and better results."

- Bill Moggridge, co-founder of IDEO, in Design Thinking: Dear Don

References & Where to Learn More

Enroll in our engaging course, "Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide"

Here are some examples of good and bad designs to inspire you to look for examples in your daily life.

Read this informative article "What Is Design Thinking, and How Can SMBs Accomplish It?" by Jackie Dove.

Read this insightful article "Rethinking Design Thinking" by Don Norman.

Check out Tim Brown's book "Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation Introduction," 2009.

Learn more about Design Thinking in the article "Design Thinking: Dear Don" by Bill Moggridge.

Images

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0

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What is Design Thinking and Why Is It So Popular?

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Design Thinking is being taught at leading universities around the world. Here we'll cut to the chase and tell you what it is, as well as why it's so in demand.

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Gamification is the addition of game elements to non-game activities. It can also be defined as a set of activities and processes to solve problems by using or applying the characteristics of game elements.

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Definition: According to Kari Armsform “It’s “a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space, and the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter,” (Lesley University, 2015)

This can be translated into “schoolwork at home and homework at school.”

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a.) Gamification in Marketing:
Transmedia: 007: GoldenEye
Transmedia is the practice of taking a media property and extending it into a different medium to either expand upon the material or bring greater attention to it.

b.) Gamification in Health:
Physical Health: Nike
Nike launched Nike+Run in 2010 as a gamification platform that tracks and gamifies your run time, distance covered, health levels and compares yourself to your previous recordings and others within your social field.

c.) Gamification in Education:
Computer Games: Minecraft - Education Edition
Math Blaster and Treasure Mountain are some of the earliest examples of popular educational games, however, one of the best and most current examples of Game-based Learning is Minecraft: Education Edition. This game teaches students how to code through one of the most popular game formats in the world. If you're a teacher you already know a lot of your students love this game and the game mechanics that come with it.

d.) Gamification in Websites:
Physical & Online Locations: Foursquare

Foursquare was the original website and brand which not only built their company around the premise of gamification but grew 10x in size in just five years of implementing game elements into customer onboarding. Bringing both real life and online elements to their brand, store and website. Watch the video at the top of this page to learn more about Foursquare.

e.) Gamification Influencers:
The Original: Yu-Kai Chou

Yu-Kai was one of the first prominent figures in gamification. First, truly rising in popularity around the topic of gamification with his TED talk in 2014, and soon followed up by awarded "Gamification Guru of the Year" - Gamification Europe Conference in 2017.

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Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.

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Characteristics:
-The students can get prepared on the topic beforehand, in this way they are ready for active classroom discussion and activities.
-The teacher can assign short pre-class assignments or pre-tasks to motivate them to get prepared.
-During class the students complete activities that promote deeper learning.

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PBL is becoming widely used in schools and other educational settings, with different varieties being practiced. However, there are key characteristics that differentiate "doing a project" from engaging in rigorous Project Based Learning.

We find it helpful to distinguish a "dessert project" -  a short, intellectually-light project served up after the teacher covers the content of a unit in the usual way - from a "main course" project, in which the project is the unit. In Project Based Learning, the project is the vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills student need to learn. The project contains and frames curriculum and instruction.

In contrast to dessert projects, PBL requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication. To answer a driving question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.

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The teacher must design online lessons that are engaging and easy to follow. Additionally, the instructor must design “homework” that will be done during class. Remember, class instruction will be seen after class and class work will be done in class.

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Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject through the experience of solving an open-ended problem found in trigger material. The PBL process does not focus on problem solving with a defined solution, but it allows for the development of other desirable skills and attributes.

Examples:

Working in teams.

Managing projects and holding leadership roles.

Oral and written communication.

Self-awareness and evaluation of group processes.

Working independently.

Links:
https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/engaging-students/problem-based-learning#:~:text=Problem%2Dbased%20learning%20(PBL),the%20motivation%20and%20the%20learning.

Problem-based learning - Wikipedia

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What is microlearning?
Well it's a simple approach to learning skills based learning objective and education concepts which deals with small objectives in little time as possible. The concept came from Hermann Ebbinghaus forgetting curve which in a nutshell tells that learner retain less information the longer the lesson goes for. So to tackle this the concept of microlearning came about in which modules to breakdown large topic in smaller one.
Benefits of Microlearning
1. Requires less time to go through materials.
2. Short time increase learners' engagement.
3. Improve knowledge retention.
4. Learning on the go (mobile learning)
5. Supports self paced
6. Enable personalized learning.
Examples of ways to use Micolearning
EXAMPLE duolingo

Source www.Valmis.com
(What is Microlearning? Examples and Best Practice 2021)

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microlearning examples and tips to go with them

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microlearning examples and tips to go with them

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1. Quizzes and games

short and snappy quizzes

2. Microlearning videos

videos can break down larger, more complex topics

3. Action-led microlearning

reflective and actively engage with the content by putting their own plan together.

4. Short scrolling pages

5. Microlearning masterclasses

Combine short segments on theory with speedy demo videos

6. Practical on-the-job learning

practical, action-based content that users need to focus on their job.
https://www.elucidat.com/blog/microlearning-examples/

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With so many jumping on microlearning's bandwagon, is it the big L&D heist many experts argue - or is promise lurking? As always, it comes down to execution. We've shared 6 top microlearning examples and best practice tips to help you hit the mark.

What is microlearning?

Microlearning is a way of providing short, focused pieces of content to an audience, ideally where and when they need it. It's not a new idea, and its effectiveness has been debated within the learning and development industry. Bite sized courses don't necessarily equal good learning or improved performance, as we've argued before. However, in the right context and done with the overall experience in mind, it can be highly effective.

Why consider microlearning?

In a world where people are checking their smartphones 9 times an hour, and competition for attention is now extra fierce, it's no wonder that shorter digital learning content is becoming more popular.

Zoom fatigue in the wake of lockdown has also meant that average learning session times have decreased from 20 to just over 4 minutes, on average.

Modern workplace learners want to access elearning courses on mobile devices, on the move and in stolen pockets of time - on trains, over breakfast, before meetings. If you want to gain traction for your content, you should consider how to target those tiny windows of opportunity.

However, it's key that microlearning isn't used as a vehicle to deliver lots of content randomly. That would misuse the small amounts of time modern learners have and disable the learning from sticking.

An introduction to Microlearning Theory

Microlearning theory is based on a concept by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus and his trials on human memory. Ebbinghaus pioneered the 'forgetting curve' which illustrates how much information the brain can retain over time, and how quickly people typically forget new knowledge they have acquired. According to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, people only retain 21% of what they learn within a month.

Microlearning provides a solution to this by adopting a 'little and often' approach. Learners are much more likely to retain information if it's broken up into digestible pieces that they can revisit on a regular basis.

Benefits of microlearning

Could microlearning be an effective approach to help you reach your L&D objectives? Here are just some of the key benefits:

As the name suggests, microlearning focuses on small snippets of information. These bitesize training modules are quick and easy to consume, meaning your employees can still learn alongside their other day to day tasks, without disruption.

The concise nature of microlearning means that learners can fit it around their busy schedules and complete modules on the go. It's also well-suited to mobile or tablet devices, enabling employees to pick it up at a time that suits them, from wherever they are.

Microlearning enables learners to adopt a fluid learning schedule by choosing which topics they want to tackle when and setting their own pace. Offering learners this flexibility can help to keep them engaged and support different learning preferences.

It can be challenging to keep learners engaged for long periods of time, especially for topics such as compliance and soft skills. Keeping the content concise and giving learners the freedom to choose which topic to focus on can help to keep them engaged and focused.

It is easier to digest resulting in higher knowledge retention

Microlearning follows memory retention best practices by offering small blocks of learning that can be revisited regularly to engrain new knowledge. Delivering training in small segments also allows for the learner to focus on one idea or concept at a time, instead of having to try to absorb a lot of information at once.

Challenges of microlearning

While there are numerous benefits of microlearning, it doesn't come without its challenges, most of which can be addressed with the right LMS or authoring tool.

Unlike more traditional elearning formats where content is split into 20 or 30 minute sessions, microlearning content may only be 5 minutes long which means you'll need more content to cover all topics. You may have more to organize and maintain within your LMS which can be time-consuming.

Ensuring design and branding consistency across all content

It can be difficult to keep the look and feel of your microlearning content coherent, especially if you're creating it at scale with input from multiple team members. Opt for an authoring tool that allows you to create customizable templates and change logos or images across multiple content assets in just one click.

Achieving the right level of detail

Striking the balance between making your content short and engaging whilst also detailed and informative can be challenging. When building your content, be sure to enlist the help of your Subject Matter Experts who will be able to ensure the content is impactful and includes all the key information the learner needs on each microlearning topic.

Here are some ways to deliver microlearning, smartly.

6 microlearning examples and tips to go with them

Microlearning comes in all shapes and sizes. Some example formats and techniques you could consider include:
1. Quizzes and games
Test your learners' knowledge with short and snappy quizzes that allow them to gain instant feedback and have fun along the way!
2. Microlearning videos
Easily one of the most engaging formats, microlearning videos can break down larger, more complex topics into interactive modules for learners to follow.

3. Action-led microlearning

This microlearning example encourages learners to be reflective and actively engage with the content by putting their own plan together for developing their skills instead of passively absorbing information.
4. Short scrolling pages
A one-stop scrolling page allows users to access all the information they need on a topic in one, easy-to-follow format. This makes it simple for learners to extract the key highlights of a topic and understand the order of linear processes.
5. Microlearning masterclasses
Combine short segments on theory with speedy demo videos and expert tips to create a comprehensive masterclass menu that learners can work through in small increments .
6. Practical on-the-job learning
This type of microlearning focuses solely on practical, action-based content that users need to focus on their job more effectively. No theory, no time-wasted, just useful, relevant training available on the go.

Take a look at some of these examples in practice below.
Some of the microlearning examples here have been produced using Learning Accelerator templates. This feature helps you create high-quality engaging content 4 Some of these elearning examples can be gifted into your Elucidat account (or free trial) so you can see how they're made and use them as a starting point for your own content! x faster! It's available to all Elucidat customers (and free trial users).
1. A menu of focused topics - learning design masterclasses

Our masterclass microlearning menu. Bottled up with tips, advice and inspirational demos from our network of experienced learning consultants.
Why it works:
This microlearning example pulls together a collection of related topics to help the audience access help as and when they need it.
Sign up to our learning design masterclass for free!

The bite sized topics are clear and distinct, with each one focusing on achieving a specific design outcome for authors using Elucidat. This means no time is wasted searching for the right information

Each Masterclass is a snappy 2-3 minutes long, so getting a refresher of key information doesn't need to feel like an arduous task

Every topic includes 20 seconds of theory, 3-4 in-depth demos, a "how to" and some expert tips - a model that's reused consistently across the whole digital learning suite so users aren't having to learn how to navigate something new each time

2. Microlearning for skill development

When employees are developing their skills, theory isn't enough. To improve, learners need to reflect on their current skill level, understand the practical steps they need to action, and commit to practicing on the job - and that's where interactive microlearning can help.

This example on how to manage remote teams shows how microlearning principles can support this process of skill development.
Why it works:

After kicking off with an attention-grabbing statistic about remote teams, 5 top tips are presented on dedicated pages. This consistent design approach helps to deliver content in short bursts, while keeping a focus on practical steps

Crucially, learners don't just read the tips; they are encouraged to reflect on which ones they want to implement in their teams

At the end of the elearning, each learner creates their own action plan, committing to put their new knowledge into action

This helps employees take ownership of how they develop their skills, particularly where there's not just one 'right way' of doing things

This example was created using one of our Learning Accelerator templates - meaning you can use this template yourself to quickly build your skill development training! This template is free and available to all Elucidat customers (and users).

Learning Accelerator template| See this example

3. On-the-job support

Learning shouldn't be separated from the day job. Short, snappy performance support resources designed to be used "on the job" make elearning practical. They often go down well with learners, as they're designed to be succinct and useful above all else.

This example of a product knowledge resource illustrates how a well-designed, responsive digital resource can put practical performance support literally in the palm of a salesperson's hand.
Why it works:

It's pared right back to only the practical content the user needs to do their job

Images and formatting help to highlight key information at a glance

It offers true on-the-job reference support, as well as just-in-case learning

There's a clear structure, so it's easy to dip in and out at the point of need

It works seamlessly across devices (crucial for real-time performance support)

Giftable | See this example

4. Scrolling 'what, why, how' page

Keep process-based microlearning practical with a focus on what learners need to do, why they need to do it and how to go about it.

This microlearning example about how to wash your hands offers a one-stop-shop resource to upskill learners.

When you're training on a simple and practical process, a short scrolling page that focuses on what, why and how cuts straight to the core information

The scrolling design is perfect for explaining a linear process for the first time as it shows the whole process on one page

The content is broken down into clear visual sections and headings. Each section only takes around 1 minute to interact with, making it manageable and easy to digest

It's also simple for learners to skim when they need a quick refresher later

Why it works:
Giftable | See this example

5. Use of multimedia and microlearning menus

A menu that houses short microlearning topics around a given skill area is another example of providing quick, essential tips that users can turn into action. This interactive helps people build skills in multimedia design for learning.

Produced in collaboration with Nice Media, this microlearning example enables users to sample audio and video content, followed with a single page of concise tips and tricks.

The menu gives the user control over their learning path

Use of multimedia to provide concrete examples for each section brings the topic to life and makes it much more engaging and useful

The navigation menu makes it easy to jump back to the beginning or skip to different sections, rather than forcing users to click through all of the microlearning content

Why it works:
6. Quick onboarding for practical tasks
See this example
New starters have a lot to take in those first few days in their role, but you can ease the learning curve by providing quick, focussed overviews.

Single scrolling pages like those used in this onboarding microlearning example are great for upskilling learners on key tasks quickly.

Practical tasks are broken down into clear, simple steps, making it easy for new staff to get up to speed in a short amount of time

Video demonstrations and checklists provide further support

In-page navigation makes it simple for learners to complete each section of the page

The scrolling design makes it easy to refer back to the content on mobile devices

Learning Accelerator template| See this example
Why it works:
Expert tips to get your microlearning strategy to deliver

1. Be the answer

If there's one lesson to take away from why Google is so popular (and obviously there's a lot more than this!), it's because it answers your questions.

We could call this the three S approach:

In a corporate training context, it can be tempting to take a whole course on; for example, conducting performance reviews and breaking it into bite-sized chunks to make it "micro." But this can still miss the mark. A manager about to conduct a performance review will have specific needs, such as being unsure when to deliver constructive feedback or how to deal with a certain challenge in the conversation. A performance review is a scenario that will be different for everyone, every time, so the digital learning needs to reflect that.

Run a survey to ask your audience what they need help with, and see the results in your analytics dashboard. Then, design for microlearning content for those needs. See how this can be done in practice in this elearning example.

Nick Shackleton-Jones, who rails against the microlearning hype, explains how taking a Q&A approach helps shape resources that are useful and short - read his thoughts here.

2. Be useful

Armed with evidence of what your audience actually needs - as well as some evidence of specific performance gaps that need to be closed - you are now in a good position to create short focused resources that are genuinely useful.

Ignore the plethora of content you might have up your sleeve, and instead focus on designing resources that provide the answers to those questions you've uncovered. Work in specific solutions to the problems your audience is likely to come up against.

Concentrate on the media that can best deliver the help that's needed. Use videos of experts answering specific questions, PDF downloads, infographics, digital guides, interactive diagnostics and more. Curation is king here - the microlearning examples above all do this really well.

3. Be holistic

We don't tend to practice skills or behaviors in a siloed way, but instead, deal with what's in front of us.

A huge benefit of going micro with your digital learning is that you can enable individual learners to build up competency and skills in incremental steps with spaced repetition - keep them coming back to your product for more! This is something we talk about in this related microlearning article.

If you're brave, you'll not only go micro, but do it holistically. Consider being topic agnostic and designing a microlearning strategy that focuses on enabling individuals to work toward personal improvement goals. For example, goals to perform as better team members, self-leaders, collaborators, motivators, creators, leaders of others and more can each share the same resources - as well as some that are particular to that area. Users can be empowered to use the resources and experiences on offer to reach an overarching goal, with a little guidance.

Check out the way curious.com approaches its microlearning topics.

While not all learning is workplace related, chances are you'll inspire more people to use your content if there's an obvious personal development goal (i.e., Do I put a hazard sign up over the spill in the kitchen because of my health and safety training, or because I care about others?).

Re-think your categories and tag multiple resources so they can sit under multiple "holistic" umbrellas. The added benefit to designing holistically? Your microlearning strategy can help you identify and build business leaders for the future.

3 hurdles to overcome before embarking on microlearning

Cutting down your content still comes with some obstacles you need to acknowledge and overcome.

1. Shine through - Given the amount of digital and workplace tasks and noise thrown at people, microlearning has to be really good to engage an audience at all.

2. Actually help - You're being paid to improve performance. Working up "content" does not equate to effective learning experiences, or useful performance improvement resources.

3. Personalize - One person's useful resource is another's white noise.

Final thoughts

Congratulations for making it to the end of this article. Your attention span made it! (Plus, the whole attention span spin isn't necessarily true - and neither is the myth about goldfish memory!).

Don't be scared to go deeper - microlearning isn't always the right approach. A lot of learning needs dedicated time to build up and stick. Here are some tips on how to really deliver with microlearning.

The key to any successful digital learning project is to hone in on the goals and create solutions that work for those and the audience(s). If you're not sure on the best approach for your elearning project, download our project planning template. Or see this useful guide to elearning best practice, including microlearning!

And, if you're looking to compare authoring tools don't forget to check out our best elearning software review blog.

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The best microlearning examples to inspire you for 2022

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With so many jumping on microlearning's bandwagon, is it the big L&D heist many experts argue - or is promise lurking? As always, it comes down to execution. We've shared 6 top microlearning examples and best practice tips to help you hit the mark.

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What is Microlearning? [2-Minute Explainer]

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Students learn by hands-on activities that make them analyze, internalize the knowledge and reflect on it.

The objective of experiential learning is for students to apply the content in a practical manner.  Some examples may be online simulations, online and physical field trips, science experiments.roleplay, and interactive classroom games.

Links:  Mis actividades (wordwall.net)
Kahoot! | Learning games | Make learning awesome!

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a.) https://www.gamify.com/what-is-gamification

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Gizmo, an all-in-one platform which allows anyone in the world to create a custom branded video game, reward their players, and capture high quality leads.

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Example of gamification in the classroom

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Example of gamification in the classroom

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Source: IT WORKED: Gamification in the Classroom - YouTube

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IT WORKED: Gamification in the Classroom

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Project-Based Learning: How It Works and Why It’s So Effective

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Links

What is Project Based Learning? | PBLWorks

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Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

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Projects and Project-Based Learning: What's The Difference?

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Source: Gamification: A Powerful Tool for Teaching and Learning - YouTube

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Gamification: A Powerful Tool for Teaching and Learning

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Points are used as visual identifiers of progress in sports, reward cards and video games

Badges display achievement, whether from service in the military or a gold star on school report card

Leaderboards are used across sports, sales teams, and in general life to present competitive placement

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What Is Project-Based Learning? Project-based learning (PBL) or project-based instruction is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects set around challenges and problems they may face in the real world.

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What Is Project-Based Learning? Project-based learning (PBL) or project-based instruction is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects set around challenges and problems they may face in the real world.

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To spark your curiosity, here are some project based learning examples your students can use to display their learning: Infographics. Brochures. Presentations.

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https://www.powerschool.com/blog/project-based-learning-benefits-examples-and-resources/#:~:text=What%20Is%20Project%2DBased%20Learning,face%20in%20the%20real%20world.

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I would spend hours cruising through Pinterest boards, looking for ideas and inspiration for different projects to perfect my teaching practice.

Project based learning is about getting rid of the old, and bringing in the new. That's the approach it takes to transition your teaching style from one that focuses on "doing projects" to project based learning.

Project based learning isn't something that you can perfect in a matter of days or weeks. It's a journey of learning and teaching that will take years to master

It's an experience that allows you to learn and grow with your students as you put it into practice-the earlier you begin, the easier it'll get.

In this guide, we'll look at project based learning examples to help you inspire and excite your students.

Table of Contents

1. What is project based learning?

2. Building bridges with list infographics

3. Writing to a Congressman with a letterhead template

4. Starting a business with a business plan template

5. Writing a blog post to display your learning

6. Comparing a movie and book with a presentation

7. Creating a fundraising campaign for an issue you care about

8. Creating a family tree with a tree diagram

9. Planning a community event with an event poster template

10. Helping local businesses increase environmental impact with flyers

11. Using a tracking calendar to monitors your plant growth

1. What is project based learning?

Simply put, project based learning is a teaching method that allows students to gain knowledge by requiring them to work for an extended period of time to investigate a complex problem or question.

Students are given the freedom and opportunity to explore real world problems and develop a deeper and more enriched understanding.

At Venngage, we're committed to providing educators with the project based learning templates to supplement their teaching, to make education more fun and accessible.

We understand the amount of work it takes to plan a simple lesson, let alone an entire project. That's why we've gathered together some great ideas to make your teaching experience easier.

In this blog, you will not only get a comprehensive understanding of what project learning is, but you will be able to begin implementing it in your classroom immediately - using many of our templates and examples.

In this guide, we'll look at project based learning examples to help you inspire and excite your students.

What are the important elements of project based learning?

1. Significant content

This is where you outline learning goals. Looking at your standards and referring to them frequently is helpful. You don't need to stress yourself and fit every learning standard, but enough to ensure you're meeting some of them.

2. A need to know

Creating a "hook" for the introduction of a project is important to get your students interested and engaged. Its purpose is to generate the curiosity of the classroom. It could be in the form of a video, a guest speaker, or a lively discussion. The driving questions should be abstract enough to get your students wanting more.

3. Driving question

This is the question that your students will be working towards answering with in-depth inquiry. It should have a sense of challenge and purpose. Every activity will work towards the answers to this question. The question should be complex enough that it cannot be answered with one google search.

4. Voice and choice by students

This is the fun part of the planning for students. Ownership comes into play in this stage of their project based learning because they get to set their own learning paths. Below we outline many project based learning examples such as brochures, infographics , tree diagrams and more that allow students to choose what medium they would like to display their information in.

To spark your curiosity, here are some project based learning examples your students can use to display their learning:

5. 21st century skills

Use of technology, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking are all 21st century skills that authentic tasks should require.

6. In depth inquiry and innovation

Students will be spending the most of their time working on this stage. This is where they will be finding answers to the many questions that will evolve as they conduct their research. They will be using websites, books, articles, and videos to dive deep into the subject they're exploring. All this gathered information will be used to create their product.

7. Reflection and revision

At this stage, students will use rubrics, exemplars, peer editing, and feedback from their teacher to create high quality work. It's an ongoing process that is a great way to self reflect on the process and drives students to continue improving.

8. Public presentation

Time to show off all the hard work that students put into their projects in a public setting! It doesn't have to be just to classmates, it can be to larger audiences including parents, experts, or a larger community. Public also doesn't have to be in front of a live audience, it could be online as well. Students can brainstorm what they see best fit in terms of how they would like to present their own projects.

Other important elements to consider in project based learning:

What are the benefits of project based learning?

1. Engagement: Students are more likely to be engaged in their schooling when they feel autonomy over their own learning. Project based learning allows students to be drivers of their own learning.

2. Teach and assess multiple skills: Teachers have multiple assessment opportunities to test different skills.

3. Differentiation: Students with various learning styles and differences are accommodated since PBL showcases a broad range of capabilities.

4. Accountability: Students take greater responsibility for their own learning.

Is project based learning effective?

Project based learning has been proven to be effective in the classroom. Many reports globally have been published encouraging educators to use the project based learning approach to deepen and enrich their student learning.

"One of the major advantages of project work is that it makes school more like real life. It's an in-depth investigation of a real-world topic worthy of children's attention and effort."- Education researcher Sylvia Chard

The benefits of project based learning are endless. It allows for authentic assessment, promotes lifelong learning, and prepares students to develop skills for a highly technological society. Project based learning allows students to learn by doing-from language, to data science, to history.

What are some examples of project based learning?

We know that teaching is a skill that requires a lot of planning and that people underestimate the amount of time it takes to create a thorough lesson plan, let alone an entire in depth project.
Read More: 27+ Lesson Plan Examples for Effective Teaching
The project based learning examples below will help to bring creativity in the way that your students present their information. Your students can use the templates for their projects, or you can use the templates for your teaching.

2. Building bridges with list infographics

Building bridges is a great project that allows teachers to implement all aspects of S.T.E.M. It requires a lot of problem solving skills and builds on competitive learning skills as well. Using a lesson plan template to create your criteria helps to keep your work organized:

List infographics are a great way to make things easy to remember in a creative way. Certain projects may require a long list of materials from your students, such as this bridge project. In order to keep track of their materials and keep students organized, a list is integral.

Below are 2 great example of list infographics:

3. Writing to a Congressman with a letterhead template

A good project based learning example is one that can incorporate many different aspects of learning. Not only does this project based example develop writing skills, it takes learners beyond that.

By writing to a congressman students are moving beyond just writing a letter about their research and moving them towards taking action about it by expressing their opinions about an issue they care about. It encourages students to be agents of change by using their civic voice with elected officials.

Below are great letterhead examples that can be customized to incorporate colour, a border, and a header. Your students will feel like professionals as they're creating their letters. It could be powerful enough to get their letters noticed and read, with a possible response!

Below are a couple of great examples to get you started:

Professional blue letterhead template

Creative letterhead template

4. Develop a business plan

This project based learning example allows students to work in groups to develop a business plan.

Beginning with developing a concept, then doing market research and competitor analysis and ending off with a financial plan. These templates have outlines and examples prepared so that students don't feel so overwhelmed and can pitch their ideas with ease and confidence.
Related reading: An in-depth guide to creating a business plan that you can share with your students.
The business plan templates below will ensure that any business plan created by students looks professional and inspiring. It may even lead to coming to life!

Here's a business plan template your students can use:

5. Write a blog post to share your learning

Blog posts are great creative ideas for students to take ownership of their own learning in an expressive way. Instead of writing a traditional essay, a blog post will display the same information but with a kick. Blog posts are also a good asset to include for their portfolios, to help improve their personal brand.

You don't need to worry about having to do all the research on how to write a blog post and what to avoid. Sharing an infographic with your students that outlines the steps of how to create a blog post will help them understand the success criteria of their projects.

When you visualize information, it's harder to miss important information. Everything is in front of you and is easy to read.

Below are two infographics that explain how to write a blog and what mistakes to avoid that can be easily share with your students:

6. Compare a movie and book with a presentation

Comparing a book to its movie adaptation is a fun project that incorporates a lot of learning skills. Reading, writing, analysis, with a touch of entertainment as well. The ideas are endless in the different tasks that could be done, what makes it easy is to display all the information by creating a presentation.
The examples below include important elements to creating a great presentation design. Some of these include:
Creative presentation template

Whimsical presentation template

7. Create a fundraising campaign for an issue you care about

Another great project based learning example is creating a fundraising campaign. Students again have an opportunity to be agents of change for an issue that they genuinely care about.
Important elements of a poster include: Fundraising poster template
Here is an example of how students can use a timeline infographic template to plan a fundraiser:

Once students have completed their planning, they can use a poster design to create an event which outlines all the details of their campaign.

8. Create a family tree with a tree diagram

A good real world question is: how does your family ancestry make you a unique person? Students will have to dive deep into their family history to answer that question. One of the outcomes may be that they create a family tree to trace back who was a part of their lineage.

Using a family tree template helps eliminate disorganization and helps students stay focused. After designing their family tree, students can easily share it with their family members online!

Below are examples of family tree diagram templates students can use:

9. Plan a community event
Some poster design tips:
Planning a community event takes a lot of work. Students have an opportunity to create change in their communities and take action. After doing the research in terms of food, theme, and decorations - students can create a proposal demonstrating how the event may look and cost.

The end result of the planning would be creating the actual event poster . Students can make their planning into reality and be the change makers in their community.

To get started, here are some event poster templates:

10. Help businesses decrease environmental impact with flyers

The best projects are those that include multiple subjects in one.

Students can create digital flyers to inform businesses about ways to decrease their environmental impact by "going green". They can share it with companies that are known to not be environmentally conscious. This is a great way of culminating their research.

Below are some great examples of flyer templates that students can customize into their own by changing colors, fonts, and the text.

11. Use a tracking calendar to monitor your plant growth

Students can learn all about plant by observing their growth patterns. They could learn about parts of the plant, what plants need to grow, and the functions of the plant.

Students can track the progress of their plant growth by inputting their observations into each day of the week:

Outcomes of PBL

A well designed project based learning experience will have great outcomes .

Here is a great visual outlining all the different positive outcomes of project based learning:

Get started with project based learning in your classroom so that you can develop critical skills for your students. If you've already started and are just looking for more ideas and tools, this guide is also great for you. Whatever your teaching needs may be, your students will appreciate accessing so many of the template examples.

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10+ Project Based Learning Examples for Educators - Venngage

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I would spend hours cruising through Pinterest boards, looking for ideas and inspiration for different projects to perfect my teaching practice. Project based learning is about getting rid of the old, and bringing in the new. That's the approach it takes to transition your teaching style from one that focuses on "doing projects" to project based learning.