How can you design learning tasks for diverse users, including novices and experts?

How can you design learning tasks for diverse users, including novices and experts? Learning tasks are scenarios or activities that help users learn how to use a product or service effectively. They are often used in usability testing to evaluate how well a design meets the needs and expectations of different user groups. However, designing learning tasks that are suitable for both novices and experts can be challenging, as they have different levels of prior knowledge, skills, and goals. In this article, you will learn some basic principles and tips for creating learning tasks that can accommodate diverse users and provide useful feedback for improving your design.

1 Know your users

Before you design any learning task, you need to understand who your users are, what they want to achieve, and how they approach the problem. You can use various methods, such as user research, personas, user journeys, or user profiles, to gain insights into your users' characteristics, motivations, behaviors, and preferences. Knowing your users will help you define the scope, complexity, and relevance of your learning tasks, as well as the appropriate level of guidance and feedback.

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2 Vary the task difficulty

One way to design learning tasks for diverse users is to vary the difficulty level of the tasks according to the users' expertise. You can use a simple-to-complex progression, where you start with easy tasks that introduce the basic features and functions of your product or service, and then gradually increase the challenge and depth of the tasks as the users gain more confidence and competence. Alternatively, you can use a parallel approach, where you offer different tasks for different user groups, based on their goals and needs. For example, you can provide a quick-start guide for novices who want to get started right away, and a detailed tutorial for experts who want to explore more advanced options.

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Cameron Stewart

Learning / Experience Design / Multimedia / Innovation
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I like to use Nir Eyal's Hooked model. Essentially, external triggers (our instructions) prompt the learner to take action, and internal triggers motivate them to continue. By incorporating variable rewards or difficulty levels, we can create an engaging loop that keeps the learner interested and invested in learning more. Another great tool is to leverage streak counters that gamify the experience and increase the difficulty each time they are correct.

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3 Use realistic and meaningful scenarios

Another way to design learning tasks for diverse users is to use realistic and meaningful scenarios that reflect the users' contexts and situations. You can use stories, examples, or cases that illustrate how your product or service can help users solve a problem, achieve a goal, or fulfill a need. Using realistic and meaningful scenarios can help users relate to your product or service, motivate them to learn, and elicit their emotions and attitudes. However, you should also avoid making the scenarios too specific or complex, as they may confuse or frustrate some users who have different backgrounds or expectations.

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Cameron Stewart

Learning / Experience Design / Multimedia / Innovation
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As humans, we are naturally inclined towards storytelling. However, when it comes to teaching or imparting knowledge to others, it's important to encourage them to think critically and connect the dots themselves. To achieve this, we need to create scenarios that they can relate to and allow them to fill in the gaps on their own. This approach not only helps learners understand the content better but also promotes reflection and critical thinking.

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4 Provide clear and consistent instructions

A key element of designing learning tasks for diverse users is to provide clear and consistent instructions that guide users through the tasks. You should use simple and concise language, avoid jargon and technical terms, and use visuals and examples to illustrate your points. You should also use consistent labels, icons, and formats throughout your product or service, and follow the conventions and standards of your industry or domain. Providing clear and consistent instructions can help users understand what they need to do, how they need to do it, and why they need to do it.

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5 Offer feedback and support

Another important element of designing learning tasks for diverse users is to offer feedback and support that help users learn from their actions and outcomes. You should provide immediate and constructive feedback that informs users of their progress, performance, and errors, and suggests how they can improve or correct them. You should also provide support options, such as hints, tips, or help menus, that users can access when they need more information or assistance. Offering feedback and support can help users build confidence and competence, and encourage them to continue learning.

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6 Test and refine your learning tasks

The final step of designing learning tasks for diverse users is to test and refine your learning tasks with real or representative users. You can use various methods, such as usability testing, user interviews, surveys, or analytics, to collect data and feedback on how users interact with your learning tasks, and how they affect their learning outcomes and satisfaction. Testing and refining your learning tasks can help you identify and address any issues, gaps, or opportunities for improvement, and ensure that your learning tasks are effective, engaging, and relevant for your diverse users.

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Cameron Stewart

Learning / Experience Design / Multimedia / Innovation
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My style of learning experience design treats everything as an experience and an experiment. It's essential to track people's progress and identify areas of success to improve over time while keeping the learner at the center of everything we do. Simply put, we cannot know if something works until we test it, and we must be able to test, learn, and improve rapidly.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Cameron Stewart

Learning / Experience Design / Multimedia / Innovation
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I think with the fast pace of learning and development right now, it's really important to consider your work of product and why would people want to use your product. What is the value proposition?

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How can you design learning tasks for diverse users, including novices and experts?

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1 Know your users

2 Vary the task difficulty

3 Use realistic and meaningful scenarios

4 Provide clear and consistent instructions

5 Offer feedback and support

6 Test and refine your learning tasks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Usability Testing

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How can you design learning tasks for diverse users, including novices and experts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your users

2 Vary the task difficulty

3 Use realistic and meaningful scenarios

4 Provide clear and consistent instructions

5 Offer feedback and support

6 Test and refine your learning tasks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Usability Testing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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