UX + LX for Designing Impactful Learning Experiences

Foundations: “Where are we going?”

While UX and LX are distinct, they are complimentary – user experience design can inform the approach to learning experience design, and vice-versa.

In UX Design, a User Experience Designer will analyze the target audience and attempt to ensure that the functionality and utilization of the medium provides an optimal experience, often using an iterative approach. They are most concerned with the ease-of-use of their design, HOW their design functions.

In LX Design, a Learning Experience Designer will map out and formulate the journey the learner will traverse to gain knowledge, acquire a skill, and demonstrate mastery of. They are most concerned with WHAT their design is about.

In short, UX will address the user journey, while LX will address the user’s journey in the learning process.

The core focus in both: the WHO, which is the end-user.

A wise approach would be to derive the greatest design inspiration from the target audience more so than any creative guru, design magazine, work of art, etc.

Considerations: “Who’s coming along for the ride?”

In designing both types of experiences, being mindful of others is a critical component of any successful design process. Empathy is critical. For the design to be successful, the experience must be inclusive. Several areas to consider include:

• Accessibility – Designing the learning experience with the aim to make as close to 100% of the content accessible to as close to 100% of the users as possible. Considerations (if the data is attainable):
  • Physical, mental, social, or other impairments
  • Hardware and/or software being utilized
  • Internet connection reliability, quality, availability, etc.
• End-User Demographics – Design the learning experience with the unique characteristics of the end-user in mind. Considerations (if the data is attainable):
  • Motivations
  • Short- and long-term goals
  • Age
  • Geographical location
  • Education level
  • Technological aptitude
  • Cultural sensitivities, personal beliefs, practices, and lifestyle relating to ethnicity, religion, politics, sexual orientation, etc.
  • How the end-user will feel, perceive, and/or react to the learning experience designed
• History – Designing with as much historical context and knowledge of the user’s prior learning experience, whether to reinforce pre-existing knowledge or establish something new. Considerations (if the data is attainable):
  • Quality and quantity of a learner’s previous experience with online learning technology (learning platform, tools, processes, etc.)
  • Learner’s preferences and experiences interacting with other learners

Additional experience-related questions to consider include:

• “How straight-forward is this experience?”
• “How easy is it for the learner to complete the desired task?”
• “Does this learning journey support the pre-determined objective?”

Applications: “How do we get there?”

After understanding the distinctions, “How do we bridge the two experiences?”

As with countless other instances in life, planning is essential towards a successful end-product. The UX and LX design experiences work harmoniously toward a successful resolution by:

• First, LX determining the learning material to be included in the learning journey and by establishing how the learner will meet the objectives established.
• Then, UX facilitating the user through the learning journey through appropriate means (technology, interface layout, functionality, etc.), structuring and presenting the content based on the target audience and the content contained within that was determined by the Learning Designer.

One thing to note is that the design experience can go in a variety of ways. Countless hours can be spent agonizing over each design element. A design debate may have several suitable and satisfactory solutions. As a result, consider exploring different approaches, research best practices, create prototypes, and create a pros/cons list to arrive at the ideal solution or experience. Be practical:

• Does it "look" right?
• Does it "feel" right?
• Does it meet the objective?
• Does it meet the needs of the target audience?

Intermissions: “Let’s take a rest-stop and camp out here or now.”

The User Experience and Learning Experience collaboration will always be a fluid process, as the variables are ever changing. Even with the same content, same learning, and same end-users; a subsequent experience will be different simply considering that the progression of time and experiences may have altered the end-user’s personal circumstances, motivations, short-term goals, long-term goals, just to name a few.

Learn more about Bisk's learning experience design services here.