Our Workflow for Creating Engaging Learning Experiences
“[Clarity] has consistently delivered innovative education solutions and content that are research-based and always relevant.”
— Curriculum Manager, National child care service provider
“[Clarity is] my go-to partner on everything from professional development courses, implementation guides, curriculum, and business strategy; I'm always impressed by their ability to deliver high-quality work."
— Senior Education Strategy Lead, littleBits
Client feedback like this comes from having a well-structured and proven approach. Here’s what we find works best.
Understand the learner audience
We start by placing the learner at the center of our design process and mapping out where they are and where they need to go to determine the breadth and context of the learning experience. This includes analyzing the learner’s skill and knowledge level and alignment with your product strategy. Often, this involves building off of our library of personas.
Develop the learning objectives
Next, we define the desired outcomes for the learning experience. These objectives set the direction and purpose of the learning journey. We break them down into clear milestones and instructional components, helping learners understand what they will achieve along the way.
We also establish criteria for success, so both the learner and facilitator can assess progress toward the goals. This might include formative assessments, completion of specific tasks, demonstrations of applied skills, or performance benchmarks. By defining what success looks like upfront, we help ensure that every component of the learning experience supports measurable growth.
Create the raw content
We research, identify, curate, design, create, and/or adapt content for the learning experience. Whether it’s text, video, or interactive elements, each piece of content is carefully selected to contribute to the overall learning objectives of the learning experience. We then organize this content systemically, ensuring it flows logically, and write detailed content scripts to guide the production process.
At this stage, the learning experience is a content script—the learning blueprint. It details every aspect of the content, including what will be presented to the learner and how interactive elements will function and engage learners. This is peer reviewed and revised internally before sharing with your stakeholders for review, feedback, and revision. This achieves a shared understanding about what will be produced that aligns with your vision.
Design the instruction
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Effective learning experiences are built on research-based best practices in instructional design. We take a culturally responsive approach, incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to design engaging and accessible learning experiences. This includes structuring the content into thoughtfully sequenced, manageable sections that limit cognitive load. Active learning strategies—such as interactive elements, real-world applications, and opportunities for reflection—are embedded to promote engagement and retention. By carefully balancing interactions, representations, and learning modalities, we design an experience that is both effective and meaningful for learners.
Build the interactions
We design opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge through practice exercises, reflection activities, and real-world scenarios. We define knowledge checks and tailored responses, providing timely feedback to guide learners through the learning experience. Collaborative learning and peer discussions are also encouraged to foster deeper engagement through social learning.
Produce the learning experience
With the instructional design in place, we begin building the full learning experience using a variety of tools. We build interactive elements, multimedia, and animations that bring the content to life. Graphics, photography, slides, and other visual assets are assembled to support the learning experience. We also record and edit screencasts, videos, and voiceover narration, ensuring that the media enhances the learner’s experience.
Iterate, revise, and polish
In addition to the earlier review and revision cycles prior to production, we also review the accessibility, flow, and timing of the assembled learning sequence, making adjustments where necessary. We use the latest edition of the National Standards for Quality Online Learning as our guidance for ensuring quality results. Lastly, we pilot the learning experience to get fresh insights and feedback about its effectiveness, allowing us to make final adjustments before delivery and launch.
Address technical considerations
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Once ready to launch, we package up the learning experience for delivery on your publishing platform and ensure it is configured to track progress, scoring, and completion. We also review data privacy and security considerations to protect personally identifiable information.
Optimize for future improvement
After deployment, we often collect data on how learners interact with the learning experience. Feedback is gathered through surveys, interviews, and usability testing, helping us understand the effectiveness of the experience. Based on this feedback and the analytics, we make ongoing improvements to enhance the experience and keep it relevant, engaging, and effective.
Ready to collaborate and innovate?
Every step in our proven process is designed to deliver high-quality, engaging, and interactive learning experiences that drive real results. Whether you’re looking to revamp an existing experience or create a new one, we’re here to help you make it a success. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you.