For trainers

For training organisations

Demo

Create

Deliver

Learn

Measure

Secure

Platform

Services

Support

Partners

Integrate

Release notes

Knowledge base

Services & partners

Training providers

Adaptive learning

Blended learning

Learn & retain

Why aNewSpring

Mission

Careers

Contact

Follow us on Instagram

About us

Create and iterate on your training.

Create & iterate

Deliver learning anytime, anywhere, anyway!

Deliver at scale

Coach learners and help them learn better.

Help learn & coach

Measure & improve for the best outcomes.

Measure & improve

Our platform

Services to help you improve.

Awesome support, full stop.

Why fly solo when there's help?

Service & technical partners

Make us a part of your ecosystem.

Find answers to platform questions.

Our services

Add aNewSpring to your proposition.

Become a partner

Benefit from referring new customers to us.

Join our affiliate programme

Our partners

Book a demo:

Learn everything about our learning journey platform.

The platform

Intelligent technology, insights & connections

Training Improvement Engine

Because one size fits only one.

Find the right mix of learning activities.

Help your learners remember what you have taught them.

By learning concept

Discover the versatility of our platform.

See all use cases

By use case

Our platform is purpose-built for trainers & training providers

By type of organisation

Learn more about us:

Find out what trainers love about our training improvement engine

Thought-provoking insights and unique connections on how to help people learn.

Training Improvement Hub

Articles to improve your training.

Articles

Learn & connect with like-minded learning pioneers.

Events

eBooks and more to tickle your brain.

Resources

The best & most improved learning journeys of the year

The aNewSpring Awards

Don't miss out on inspiration:

Articles, eBooks, events and more to inspire you.

Learn & connect

Find our why we're on a mission to help people learn.

Our mission

Join us and help people learn together.

Let's get in touch!

We're on a mission to help people learn.

All you need as a trainer to level up your learner experience and to keep improving.

All the tech & support to productise, organise and keep improving your training portfolio.

From individual trainers to large training businesses. Pick the plan that fits you.

Plans

Sign up for Love to Learn Letter for all the latest content!

Overview (Child)

Pages

Noticing more and more empty seats in your classrooms? You&#039;re not alone. Many training providers who&#039;ve been around for a while and offer primarily classroom training deal with this at some point. So what could be the culprit? And how do you find out?As we always like to say: better training starts with a focus on your learners. Start by listening to them and your customers. What do they need? What would help them learn? Does the way you train still meet their needs?

The story of Amelior & Arboth

Amelior’s blended breakthrough: partnering with Arboth

Belgian training provider Amelior faced the same challenge. Their customers wanted more flexible training that respected their employees’ time, while the younger generation preferred learning online and at their own pace. It became clear that classroom-only training just wasn’t enough anymore. So, it was time for a change. They transitioned from traditional classroom training to a blended learning approach.We spoke with Karin Bastiaannet, Category Manager Quality at Amelior and Karen Philips, Consultant Learning &amp; Development at Arboth during a live Q&amp;A.

Watch the Better Training Today Live Q&A (in Dutch)

Amelior started with the question: “How can we use the latest learning technologies to build a learning experience that resonates with today’s learners? That inspires our learners and drives lasting change in their behaviour?”Recognising that different learners have different needs, they realised it made sense to go for something interactive and self-paced. This approach would also respect the busy schedules of their learners. The solution? Combining the best of both worlds, by creating a blended training.This was easier said than done though. They never did anything like this before, going blended was completely new to them. So, where do you start? What do you need?The Amelior team realised that they needed expert help to turn their classroom training into just the right mix of online and offline activities. They got in touch with the Belgian blended and e-learning consultancy Arboth for advice on how to transform their courses.

Why go blended

Why go blended?

A blended approach has many advantages over a classroom-only setup, here&#039;s a couple of them Amelior has experienced since taking the leap:<ul><li>More flexibility through time- and place-independent learning</li><li>Promoting autonomy and self-directed learning (allowing learners to learn at their own pace and at different levels)</li><li>Greater satisfaction among teachers and learners</li><li>More room for interaction between teachers and learners, and among learners themselves during classroom training</li><li>Better insight in individual learner progress</li><li>Better learning outcomes (as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.anewspring.com/articles/science-research-blended-learning">scientifically proven</a>)</li></ul>

Challenges

<h3>Challenges</h3>Transforming a classroom training into a powerful blended learning journey is not a walk in the park. It&#039;s not just about picking up new technologies and diving right in – it takes time, effort, and lots of perseverance.Getting the SMEs on boardOne of the big challenges is convincing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), especially those with years of experience, to transition from traditional classroom-only training to a blended format. For Amelior, this was a major hurdle. Experienced teachers weren&#039;t always eager to make the switch because it meant not just a change in format but also a significant shift in the content itself. Naturally, there was some resistance; it&#039;s a big deal to transfer your knowledge and experience into a system.Amelior found success by involving SMEs from the very beginning and as much as possible. Together with them, they took a close look at the training and the content to determine what could be better served online. It really showed them the benefits of going blended and that it&#039;s an opportunity to increase their value.

Arboth's aXles model

Knowing how to do it Like we said, creating learning journeys that really improve the learning outcomes is not easy, especially if you lack the expertise and if you&#039;ve never done anything like it before. Sometimes you just need a little extra help. Amelior realised that too and partnered up with Arboth. So, don&#039;t be afraid to reach out.

What if your experts lack time to train classrooms and you lack the expertise to go blended? AvW called on our Training Improvement Engineer Puck to come to the rescue.

AvW's blended challenge

A blended learning journey in action

<h3>See Amelior&#039;s learning journey in action</h3>Sometimes it helps to just see the end result, so you get an idea of what a blended learning journey could look like for your learners. Karin Bastiaannet showed us a great example of what Amelior&#039;s blended training looks like, during the Better Training Today Live webinar. With this learning journey they won the aNewSpring Training Improvement Award in 2023.

Watch how Amelior takes you through their blended learning journey

Amelior's Learning Journey

Conclusion

<h3>Embrace blended learning for more effective learning</h3>In conclusion, if you’re noticing empty seats in your classrooms, it may be time to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.anewspring.com/learning-concepts/blended-learning">explore a blended learning approach</a>. Amelior’s successful transition from traditional training to a blended format highlights how combining online and offline elements can refresh your training program and better address your learners&#039; needs. Utilising a structured framework, like Arboth’s aXles model, can provide clear guidance on how to integrate new technologies and content effectively. Don’t hesitate to seek expert assistance to facilitate this transition (like Amelior did with Arboth). You don&#039;t have to fly solo; use your co-pilot.By listening to your learners &amp; customers, leveraging proven frameworks, and continuously refining your approach, you can create a engaging and adaptable training products that meet today’s demands.

Authors

Julia Ooms

What science says about blended learning

Get the best of both worlds with blended learning

Amelior: How blended learning cut classroom training days by 30%

Academy for Legislation: The ideal blend of online and offline learning

Learn more about going blended

Want to improve your training?

Article

Learn how Amelior & Arboth leveraged the power of blended learning to overcome the shortcomings of classroom training.

Overcome the limits of classroom training

How to overcome the limits of classroom training

blended learning

Release

Release 107 is here!We’re excited to introduce new developments to our learning platform. This release, which goes live on Tuesday, 26 November, not only brings a powerful AI tool for content creation but also marks the first step toward a completely revamped learner experience.Let’s dive into the details!

Changes for learners

<h2>Changes for learners</h2>Easy loginSpeaking about the learner experience; we’ve tackled the login screens first. We’ve revamped the flow and made several improvements:<ul><li>The login flow is now consistent across different use cases.</li><li>We’ve redesigned the login box to make elements easier to find. If you use a welcome message, it will now also appear in the login box.</li><li>Learners can now easily show and hide their passwords.</li></ul>Curious about all the changes to the login screens and what they mean for your learning environment? A full explanation of all the improvements can be found here:<ul><li><a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://support.anewspring.com/en/articles/70706?utm_campaign=Product&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9w2ACv-KcnzBWNipq-RkWWXQwWQZu9-OPvnfHwZBiN6wrKKCf6zGyuEwzaEneeCTBaAOaX">Improvements to the login screens for Organisations</a></li><li><a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://support-trainer.anewspring.com/en/articles/692?utm_campaign=Product&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9w2ACv-KcnzBWNipq-RkWWXQwWQZu9-OPvnfHwZBiN6wrKKCf6zGyuEwzaEneeCTBaAOaX">Improvements to the login screens for Trainers</a></li></ul>

Changes for the staff side

<h2>Changes for the staff side</h2>Create AI generated multiple choice questions in a flashWriting questions can be complex and time-consuming, especially when trying to create enough practice material to help learners feel confident in their knowledge.Now, authors (with or without a writer&#039;s block) can generate multiple-choice questions using AI. Simply click the &quot;+Question&quot; button in an activity or in the content library. You can create questions based on text that you enter or you can select one or multiple content parts, and the AI-tool will generate relevant, high-quality questions.Let AI do the hard work for you and be inspired by the questions it provides. This tool is also ideal for creating additional questions on specific topics to improve the MemoTrainer or adaptivity.

Let AI do the hard work

Hide past events for a cleaner overviewThis feature has been available since August 23, 2024.When updating an event, admins often encounter a large list. When most events have already taken place, this can get in the way of keeping a clear overview.We’ve added a new filter, which allows admins to choose to display past events, upcoming events or all events. This makes it easier to focus on the relevant ones and improves the overall clarity of the event overview.

Make it more organised

Mark the assessment as completed when a passing grade is reached or after all attempts are usedThis functionality has been available since October 25, 2024.Currently, an assessment is marked as &#039;complete&#039; once a learner completes the first attempt, regardless of whether they pass or fail. This follows the idea that even a failing grade is a result, which can shape the rest of the learning journey.However, when assessments allow multiple attempts, marking them complete after just one attempt may not always be ideal, especially if completion triggers the unlocking of other content.With the new setting in the &#039;properties tab&#039;, you can now choose when an assessment is marked as complete:<ul><li>After the first attempt, regardless of the score (existing behavior).</li><li>Once the learner achieves a passing score or exhausts all attempts (new option).</li></ul>This ensures learners complete the activity only when they meet the required criteria or have used all attempts.Note: This setting can only be applied to new assessments. Existing assessments cannot be updated with this setting.

Set when a test is marked as completed

Restrict admin login as other usersThis feature has been available since October 16, 2024.In line with GDPR and data privacy best practices, we have updated the &quot;log in as&quot; feature for admins. This change enables each admin’s &quot;log in as other users&quot; permission to be turned on or off. This improvement enhances data security by allowing organisations to limit which admins can access other users’ accounts, aligning better with privacy regulations and organisational policies.

Upload multiple files at onceThis feature will be available a few weeks after the release.Authors can now upload multiple files simultaneously on the content library’s “files” page, and instructors can do the same when grading webinars or external activities.

<h3>Looking ahead: An invitation for feedback</h3>This release includes several features that have been extensively tested in a BETA version, but we know feedback is essential for ongoing improvement. As you explore these new tools, we encourage you to share your thoughts with our <a target="_blank" href="mailto:support@anewspring.com">Support Heroes</a>. Whether it’s the AI-generated questions, the assessment settings, or any other tool, your insights will guide us as we continue to refine and expand the platform’s capabilities.Enjoy exploring the new features!

<h3>Dive into the details</h3>In this article, we explained the biggest changes to our platform. Want to learn more about all the changes or find out which ones are relevant to your version? Take a look at the Release Notes:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://portal.anewspring.com/en/support/discussions/topics/3000181962">Release Notes for Organisations</a></li></ul><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://portal-trainer.anewspring.com/en/support/discussions/topics/3000181959">Release Notes for Trainers</a></li></ul>If you have any questions regarding the release, do not hesitate to contact our <a target="_blank" href="mailto:support@anewspring.com">Support Heroes</a>!

Janna de Valk

Our Training Improvement Service can help you!

Want to take your training to the next level?

release notes

Read other editions

We’re excited to introduce new developments to our learning platform. This is Release 107, which goes live on 26 November 2024. Let’s dive into the details!

Release 107: Generate questions in seconds with AI

Learning content

Learning design

You know them: those passionate trainers who stand in front of a group and craftfully share their expertise with learners. Transitioning to teaching in an online environment is a challenge that many education and training professionals are currently facing. In a traditional classroom setting, trainers can rely on direct interaction, spontaneous discussions, and practical examples to deliver their message and engage their audience. However, this dynamic can easily be lost when the content is transferred to an online learning environment.When transitioning everything you teach in a classroom setting to an online format, it might seem natural to write it all out. Yet, this approach often results in a digital book - something that, frankly, no one wants to wade through when they sign up for an e-learning course. You&#039;ll need to carefully evaluate your content, deciding what to keep, what to add, remove, or rewrite. How do you go about this? And how do you ensure the material resonates with your learners?

Long chunks of text

Pitfall #1 - Long chunks of text

One of the biggest pitfalls of designing online courses is offering long pieces of text without any variation. Text alone can be effective, but it can quickly become boring, resulting in a loss of focus and learner engagement.The following two tips will empower your e-learning and make the difference between a dull text and an engaging online training:Tip #1: Offer different formatsWhen designing a learning program it is essential to provide different types of content to keep learners engaged.<ul><li>Text: short summaries or additional texts can function as reference points.</li><li>Videos: summarise your content, provide examples, share a story, or present a case study.</li><li>Visual explanation: images, infographics, and models that clarify and make complex information more understandable.</li><li>Podcasts: audio provides an alternative way for consuming information, such as while on the go.</li></ul>

Tip #2: Promote interactivityInteractivity is crucial for keeping learners engaged. Here are some simple ways to add interactivity to your course:<ul><li>Quizzes: tests and quizzes help reinforce knowledge and encourage active participation.</li><li>Drag-and-drop questions: have learners move elements to the correct place to test their understanding.</li><li>Hotspots: provide interactive images where learners can click on different areas to get more information.</li><li>Activating elements: use tasks or simulations that require learners to think and apply their knowledge.</li></ul>This <a href="https://www.thinkdom.co/post/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-3-levels-of-interactivity-in-elearning-content-development">Thinkdom blog</a> explores different ways to introduce interactivity, categorised into three levels of complexity.

Sleep-inducing textzzz...

Pitfall #2 - Sleep-inducing textzzz...

When converting a book into an e-learning course, you&#039;ll encounter text that is often long-winded and detailed. You&#039;ll need to streamline this content to focus on the essentials. In contrast, PowerPoint presentations are designed to complement spoken explanations, so you should aim to create a clear, engaging, and compact narrative without overloading the audience with information.In both cases, less is more: the more brief and focused your online content, the more effective it will be. Break your content into small, manageable pieces (chunking) and revisit them periodically with increasing intervals (spaced repetition).

GuidelinesConsider the following guidelines to help you write clear and effective texts that resonate with your audience:<ul><li>Write engagingly: understand your audience well and tailor your text to speak to them, perhaps by creating a persona and focusing your content accordingly.</li><li>Cut, cut, cut: eliminate all unnecessary words and sentences to keep your text as brief and clear as possible.</li><li>Keep it short: use short paragraphs and plenty of white space to make your text easy to navigate and read, improving the overall reading experience.</li><li>Use visuals: a well-chosen image can often express more than words, so incorporate visuals to support or enrich your message.</li><li>Write actively: your text will come across as more lively and direct when written in an active voice.</li><li>Coherence principle: include only relevant images, words, and sounds to avoid distractions and ensure your message is communicated clearly.</li><li>Personalisation principle: address your audience in a friendly and informal manner, as if you are speaking to them personally, to make the learning experience more engaging and effective.</li></ul>

Want to learn more about writing effective web texts? Join our free Mini Masterclass: Writing On-Screen Texts.

Making text too generic

Pitfall #3 - Making text too generic

When writing texts for your online learning environment, personalisation is crucial. A common mistake is crafting generic content that fails to address the specific needs and characteristics of your audience. This makes the content less relevant and engaging for learners.&quot;Isn’t a book also written for a general audience?&quot; That’s true, but a book can be broad because its audience is much wider. Readers accept this general approach. Similarly, a PowerPoint presentation can be general because the presenter adds a personal touch. However, e-learning is different from both a book and a PowerPoint and must be tailored to the target audience.To achieve this, it is useful to create a <a target="_blank" href="https://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/audience/learner-personas-for-elearning/">persona</a> or an <a target="_blank" href="https://theelearningcoach.com/lxd/empathy-maps-for-learning-experience-design/">empathy map</a>. A persona is a detailed profile of a typical participant in your course, based on research into your audience. An empathy map helps you understand how this persona relates to your product. Investigate who your audience is, what their challenges are, what goals they wish to achieve, and what situations they find relatable. By integrating familiar scenarios, such as those they might encounter in their workplace, your audience will feel more engaged, and the content will resonate more with them. This not only increases relevance but also enhances the impact of your message. The same principle applies to photos: ensure that the people shown reflect your learners.Also, make your learning environment <a target="_blank" href="https://www.anewspring.com/articles/how-to-tackle-the-issue-of-starting-levels-with-adaptive-learning">adaptive</a> where possible. Not every learner starts with the same level of knowledge and skills. Therefore, design your e-learning to adjust to the level of each learner.

Writing from your design

Pitfall #4 - Writing from your design

You&#039;ve put a lot of thought into your design, and it is logically structured. However, a common pitfall is presenting learners with content without providing the larger context they can hold onto. While PowerPoint presentations allow you to explain this context and books have a relatively fixed structure that people can navigate, e-learning can be much more flexible. Without a clear overview, learners may become disoriented, wondering where they are, how long it will take, and whether they are making any progress.It’s crucial to provide learners with a framework at the beginning and to show them step-by-step where they are in their learning journey. One effective method is to visualise the learning path as a kind of roadmap. Guide learners through the process, marking when a step has been completed. You can do this through pop-ups, text, or video messages.

Learning ObjectivesA common mistake we often encounter, even offline, is stating the learning objectives word-for-word at the beginning of a topic. Fact: almost no one reads this, and even if it is read, it often doesn’t stick. It’s better to approach learning objectives in a different way. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.worklearning.com/2013/05/13/rethinking-instructional-objectives/">Will Thalheimer </a>found that explicitly stating learning objectives at the start of a lesson or training is not always useful. In some cases, it can even be distracting and make the learning process less effective.

He suggested that integrating learning objectives subtly into the learning experience helps learners focus without lessening their curiosity and motivation.A powerful approach is to start with a question. This encourages learners to think about the learning objective and engage with the content actively from the outset. The result? Greater learning effectiveness.

Recognise these pitfalls? Let me help you turn your PowerPoint into engaging e-learning with the Quick Scan, which reviews key elements for a smooth transition.

I can help!

In short

<h3>In short</h3>Converting classroom training to an online learning environment comes with its challenges. It is crucial to maintain the interaction and dynamics of a physical class, even in a digital setting.By avoiding the pitfalls discussed and implementing the right strategies—such as varying content, keeping your texts brief and impactful, personalising, and visualising the learning path—you can ensure that your online training remains engaging and effective. This approach will elevate your e-learning to a higher level and create a meaningful impact on your learners.

Margot Sprenkels

JRC | Alphatron: Marine Shipping better training

More inspiration

Discover what our Training Improvement Engineers can do for you!

Transitioning classroom training into e-learning comes with several pitfalls. It's crucial to maintain the interaction and dynamics of a physical class, even in a digital format.

From PowerPoint to e-learning: 4 pitfalls

Welcome back to another update about our platform! This is Release 106, which will go live on August 6th, 2024. Take a seat and let’s dive into the upcoming changes and additions.

Available right away

<h3>Available right away</h3>A fresh wind through your files!As an author, you’ve just uploaded an image to use in a content part. You want to reuse the image for a question, but in order to do that you need to reupload the image. Sounds familiar? Not anymore! We are announcing some big improvements to the way files can be organised in your content library.<ul><li>New content libraries</li></ul>For all newly created content libraries, files will no longer be saved in a ‘content parts’ or ‘questions’ folder. Instead, you are totally free to create your own folder structure to keep everything tidy and organised straight from the get-go.<ul><li>Existing content libraries</li></ul>For all existing content libraries, your current folder structure will stay the same. But, you are able to reorganise and restructure everything according to your taste.Go full Marie Kondo by:<ol><li>renaming files</li><li>renaming folders</li><li>moving files from one folder to another (within the existing content library)</li></ol>

‘Available’ and ‘in use’ status for contentAs an author, do you run into the problem of a content library filled with content that was ultimately not used in a template, but that you cannot delete?When linking a content library to a template, all content becomes available for use and is therefore given the status &#039;in use&#039;. Which also means that it can no longer be deleted.We have some good news for all these authors. We’ve adjusted the status of content, which will make cleaning up unused content child&#039;s play.To make better sense of what happens with your content, we’ve split the status of content into two:<ul><li>Available to be used: when content is linked to one (or more templates) but  is not actually used.</li><li>In use: when the content is actually in use in a template, be it in an activity or as an explanation for a widget.</li></ul>And that is not all! Content with the status ‘available to be used’ can be deleted from the content library at any given moment.

Available soon

<h3>Available soon</h3>Events visible in the course calendarThis feature will become available on the 20th of August.The calendar widget is a handy tool. Learners can create a plan to stay on top of their learning activities or instructors can set one up for learners to follow. However, both parties weren’t able to see the (online or offline) event activities in the overview. So, we added them!<ul><li>Learners</li></ul>In their calendar, learners will now automatically see the event they’ve (been) enrolled in. Additionally, the name of the event is a link to easily open the activity.<ul><li>Instructors</li></ul>Instructors will see all events they need to assess in their calendar. When they click on the event name, they will go directly to the event page. Here, they can view the event itself and the list of learners that have subscribed.

Where is content in use?This feature will most likely become available at the end of August.There&#039;s more in-depth information for users that are both author and designer.Users that are linked to a content library as author and as designer, no longer need to go into the template to see exactly where content is in use. They will be able to see in which activity a content part or question is used from the content library tab!

New API calls

<h3>New API calls</h3>There are a couple of new calls for API users to further optimise their flows.Set instructor for learnersThis call has been available since June 20, 2024The call: POST /setTeacherStudents links an instructor to one or more learners, without specifying the courses.The instructors will only be linked to the learner when they have access to the course.Previously established links to learners, that are not specified in the call, are removed.See all groups from a specific userThis functionality has been available since July 2, 2024The call: GET /getUserGroups receives all groups that a specific user is linked to. From all groups, we send the group name, ID and type. You can also specify if you only want to get a certain type of group (like student or teacher groups).

<h3>Dive into the details</h3>Some of these features are available for aNewSpring for Trainers and all of them for aNewSpring for Organisations:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://portal.anewspring.com/en/support/discussions/topics/3000181918">Release Notes for Organisations</a></li></ul><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://portal-trainer.anewspring.com/en/support/discussions/topics/3000181920">Release Notes for Trainers</a></li></ul>If you have any questions regarding the release, do not hesitate to contact our <a target="_blank" href="mailto:support@anewspring.com">Support Heroes</a>!

Our Training Improvement Engineers know how to help!

How to improve your training

Welcome back to another update about our platform! This is Release 106, which will go live on August 6th, 2024. Take a seat and let’s dive into the upcoming changes and additions.

Release 106: Clean up your content and files!

Many instructional designers are familiar with the name Bloom. His taxonomy (1956) has been used by professionals for setting learning objectives since its development in 1956 and its revision in 2002. Credit where credit’s due, these learning objectives are often quite fine. However, these solutions are often not as effective as hoped. Why is that?Learning (when done well) solves a problem. Someone does not yet have the knowledge or skills to do what is desired, so they need to learn (more). But different problems require different types of solutions.The goals you set are essential for the success of your learning solution. They motivate the learner by providing direction for what needs to be learned. They can serve as a clear check to see if the learning solution is actually going to solve your problem. However, these goals don&#039;t become effective on their own. Effective goals require not only that you clearly understand the level of the content you are dealing with, but also the type of content you are dealing with.

Types of knowledge

<h2>What types of knowledge can someone possess?</h2>In his <a target="_blank" href="https://tips.uark.edu/using-blooms-taxonomy/">original taxonomy</a>, Bloom described 6 levels of objectives: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. This categorization had a single dimension: from lower to higher levels. The 2002 revision by Krathwohl added a new knowledge dimension: 4 domains that describe types of knowledge.The domains:Factual knowledgeThis is the foundational knowledge you need to understand larger concepts and solve problems. Think, for example, of a list of vocabulary words when learning a new language. Before you can start constructing sentences, you first need to know the individual building blocks.Conceptual knowledgeThis includes how the basic elements relate to each other within a larger structure. Principles, classifications, models, and structures all fall within this domain.In our example of learning a new language, this refers to grammar and sentence structures. Think back to high school math classes. First, you need to learn what roots and exponents are (factual knowledge). Only then can you understand the order of operations and more complex formulas (conceptual knowledge).

Procedural knowledgeSimply put: how you do things. This involves applying your knowledge: filling in and using a model, performing actions...When learning a new language, this is when you form sentences, whether it&#039;s writing or speaking them correctly. In math lessons, this would be when you start solving word problems.Metacognitive knowledgeThe most abstract of the four domains, this pertains to knowledge about knowledge. This includes understanding which contexts are best for applying different theories, strategies for approaching problems, and awareness of one’s own strengths and limitations.For example, a learner might recognize that speaking another language is still challenging, but writing comes much easier. As a result, they might choose to seek out more opportunities for conversation practice to improve their speaking skills.

How to apply?

<h2>What can you do with this?</h2>It’s completely understandable that this question arises now; you’ve only gathered the knowledge so far. And, in fact, that’s part of the answer to the question.You’ve now covered factual and conceptual knowledge: you understand what the different domains entail and how they follow each other. What you were likely searching for when you clicked on this blog was procedural knowledge: How can I improve my learning objectives for better training outcomes? The next step would be to address that goal, translating it into actionable steps.This is often where things go wrong. Learners attend excellent trainings on very useful topics, but if you don’t set goals that are truly focused on applying that knowledge, the problem won’t be solved.Take note! Factual and conceptual knowledge are very important! They build on each other for a reason. If you don’t know the words, you’ll never be able to construct a proper sentence (source: my final grade in French).

Get into action

<h3>Alright, but how do you do this?</h3>Krathwohl describes these domains as a new dimension to the taxonomy. We have a handy grid that you can use for this!

Download the grid

When you place all your learning objectives here, you get an indication of which areas are receiving attention and which are not. Ask yourself the following questions:1. Am I achieving the goal I have set?If you want someone to learn how to drive a car, objectives solely focused on factual knowledge will not be sufficient. Instead, you need to set objectives that at least reach the level of applying procedural knowledge.2. Do I have sufficient foundation to achieve that goal?Setting goals at higher levels is perfectly fine, but it requires a foundation. With every learning objective, you should ask yourself whether this solution also includes the previous levels or if that knowledge is already present in the target audience. You can&#039;t expect someone to analyze a complex theory if they don&#039;t even know what that theory is about. And in the case of driving a car: If you don&#039;t know which pedals are the clutch, brake, and accelerator (factual knowledge), you won&#039;t drive very far (applying).

Many instructional designers are familiar with Bloom. His taxonomy is used by professionals to set learning objectives, but these solutions often aren't as effective as hoped. Why is that?

Articles

Overcome the limits of classroom training

Read, watch and learn

Release 107: Generate questions in seconds with AI

From PowerPoint to e-learning: 4 pitfalls

Release 106: Clean up your content and files!

Overcome the limits of classroom training

Level up your understanding of learning levels

Release 105: Messages in the app, tagging for files and more!

Podcast: The evolving designer

Release 104: Five updates and improvements

5 tips to glow up your learning journey

Going blended: 3 key success factors for training providers

Balancing content: the sweet spot between fun and education

Release 103: A festive release filled with gifts

Visualise growth pathways within a learning platform

Sign up for Love to Learn Letter for all the latest content!