What does NOT MEASURING learning COST you?
Measuring the effectiveness of learning takes time, effort and resources that are historically not always dedicated to the projects we work on. In fact, for many years, (far too many years), I personally fell into the trap of spending an ENORMOUS amount of time designing (what by all accounts should have been very good learning experiences), but never taking the time to assess them beyond the feedback of the stakeholders.
Sure, I was using best-practices and taking careful measures to ensure that all the elements of the learning experience were lined-up using everything I knew about creating paths for student success. But, if you ask me whether it worked or not, I would’ve insisted that it did, and have no evidence to show you.
Then one day I took on a role where I was responsible for designing effective learning experiences based upon the latest Innovations design and Technology, and also for demonstrating the efficacy of these approaches, leveraging a practice known as Design Based-Research (DBR).
Through the structured and formal practice of Design-Based Research, I was able to effectively measure the impact of the Improvement of a particular design based upon a number of quantitative and qualitative measures. I cannot tell you how much I learned from these studies, and how much I came to LOVE measuring and systematically improving learning. That is the positive side of the story, the negative side is that; for years, in the absence of the right data, evaluated in the right way, I didn’t learn and I didn’t grow as much as I could have. In fact, my rush to assume the validity of my own methods, cost me a TON of invaluable feedback that would have helped me evolve my thinking within the field of Learning Design.
Instructional DesigNerd leverages Doctorally prepared Researchers, Statisticians, and Data Analysts to help you make the most of your learning experiences. Using leading mixed-methods research and deep analysis, we will help determine how your learners are progressing, and how to leverage improved design practices, to continually improve those metrics.
If you aren’t measuring the impact of your learning initiatives, you are likely missing out on improvements in efficacy and ongoing cost. Don’t let your learning provider tell you that it’s not practical or too hard to measure real learning. The truth is you can’t afford not to.
Want to improve the measurement of learning at your institution or company? InstructionalDesignerd offers Professional Development programs in Design-Based research and data analysis. Contact us for more information or to schedule a session.
Remember that Learning doesn’t have to suck!
