Map Your Learner Journey (2 of 9)
Have you ever completed a course that was inconsistent with different templates, different messaging and using different software? Or have completed a short course, where you didn’t feel supported or part of a community? if you have answered yes to either of these questions, learner journey maps will help.
What are learner journey maps?
Learner journey maps originate from the UX principles and are commonly referred to as ‘customer journey mapping.’ They are visual representations of the touch points a customer has with a company. The idea is to understand how the customer interacts with a particular brand which enables you as a designer; to empathise with the customer and their pain points - focussing on the customer’s thoughts and feelings.
The examples below taken from www.miro.com and www.sketchbubble.com show how vastly different the journey maps can be, however they are all visual and serve a purpose for you as a designer.
How is the learner journey map different to an LX map?
It isn’t. The learner journey map does exactly the same thing but instead of a product per se; it is a learner experience they are purchasing and the brand is the company or institution that is offering the training. The best thing about journey mapping, you can do it in isolation (although recommended with a critical friend) or you can create it as part of an educator team. You can focus on the whole journey from when they visit the website or you can focus on part of the journey, it is up to you. The idea is for this to inform design decisions as part of the LX map.
Why create a learner journey map?
There are many reasons for understanding the learner journey through the mapping process which includes:
Learner retention
According to Inside HigherEd (2020) students appeared to indicate value to their instructors’ effort to get to know them and communicate with them. Those who experienced this were more likely to return to complete following units. Imagine that; if you could mitigate this and incorporate strategies in your design to build that sense of connection. To know where to do this however, you need to create a learner journey map.
Adopt a learner perspective
It brings you back to the learner, enabling you to adopt their perspective and feeds into learner personas which we will delve into next.
Insights into the realities of their overall journey
The learner journey starts when they think they have a need and then they visit your website to address that need. It is important to create a map that will help you to develop insights into what the learner is experiencing, and when.
Opportunity for improvement
By outlining the map at a high level, you can identify particular points in time that you can impact through your design. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a perfect course won’t be either (unless you are lucky) so remember to highlight how you can make a difference.
How do you create a learner journey map?
It can be as complex or as simple as you like; but remember don’t do it just for the sake of it; you will use it to create your LX Design Map. Please click on the video at the top of the page where I walk you through how to create a learner journey map using the following scenarios:
Scenario 1
An accredited course where the learner needs to complete 3 units to be deemed competent.Scenario 2
A non-accredited short course where the learner can complete a module and receive a certificate.
Summary
Learner Journey Maps are visual representations of the touch points a learner will have with your brand. Some other key benefits are:
It can be as simple or complex as you like depending on what you are focussing on as part of your design;
It will enable you to empathise with the learner, identifying pain points, thoughts and feelings at particular points in time;
Enable you to identify opportunities for improvement and implement through your design.
Consider your own context and create your Learner Journey Map on a piece of paper or get started using Miro.
