When we think about learning as a journey, we create moments that help people make connections, practice skills, and actually retain what matters. This applies whether we’re teaching in a classroom, leading a workshop, or designing online experiences.
For example, in a classroom workshop on leadership, instead of lecturing about decision-making, you might guide learners through a team challenge. They make choices, see the results, and then reflect on what worked and what didn’t. They’re still learning the theory, but it sticks because they’ve experienced it. Online, the same principle applies. Instead of a long video on communication, learners could respond to realistic scenarios, get feedback, and try again. They practice skills safely and see the impact of different approaches.
When we design experiences as a journey, not a checklist, learning becomes engaging and memorable. Learners connect ideas, experiment with new approaches, and grow in ways that stick long after the session ends.
Reflection: Think about the last course you designed or took. How much of it focused on the learner’s experience? What could you change to make it more of a journey than a checklist?
Focusing on the journey makes learning meaningful. It’s the difference between learners remembering content and actually using it.
