How to design learning that sticks: 3 types of cognitive load

“Put yourself in their shoes.” It’s something we often do well as teachers, trying to understand what our students are going through. But it also applies to how we PRESENT learning. Clarity matters. And clarity isn’t just about simplifying content. It’s about presenting it in a way that’s easy to take in from the learner’s point of view. Some questions to keep in mind when planning and delivering: 🗣️ Is the speed of speech or text too fast to follow? 🖊️ Is the font size large enough for everyone to read comfortably? 💡 Are colours and light being used intentionally to focus attention? 🔗 Are labels, arrows or positioning helping to connect information clearly? When we see our teaching through the eyes of our students, it becomes easier to cut through the noise and make what we’re teaching more accessible. Clarity does not mean dumbing down. It means REDUCING FRICTION so learners can focus on what really matters.

Most learners forget 70% of what they learn within 24 hours. That’s not their fault—it’s the forgetting curve at work. As instructional designers, our job isn’t just to deliver information. It’s to design learning that sticks. Here are a few strategies to beat the curve: Spaced repetition – revisit concepts at increasing intervals. Retrieval practice – use quizzes and reflection prompts to strengthen memory. Micro-learning nudges – short reminders or scenario refreshers. Real-world application – the sooner learners use it, the longer they remember it. A powerful course doesn’t just teach—it reshapes memory. How do you reinforce retention in your courses?

Day 26 – Instructional Design Takeaways As an instructional designer, my biggest lesson from this research is that motivation can be designed. By intentionally applying models like ARCS-V (Keller, 2010) and principles of authentic learning environments (Rule, 2006), we can shape environments that: • Capture attention • Build relevance • Scaffold confidence • Reinforce satisfaction • Support persistence This isn’t theory — it’s practical design. When done well, it transforms learning outcomes. 👉 What’s one design principle you rely on to keep learners engaged?

A little bit of ⚡ friction ⚡ keeps learners' brains from skimming the surface of your training. Here are 5 ways instructional designers can build in productive friction to encourage real learning and retention.

As an instructional designer and course developer, I often remind educators and students that sometimes less is more—especially when dealing with sensitive and impactful topics. Subjects like 9/11 carry profound emotional weight, and discussions can quickly become intense and complex. In these cases, a simple, well-crafted video—like the one shared here—can communicate meaning in a way that words alone sometimes cannot. It allows learners to connect emotionally, reflect, and absorb the significance of the event without feeling overwhelmed. Using media thoughtfully like this is a powerful tool in education. It helps honor the gravity of history, fosters empathy, and encourages reflection, all while keeping the learning experience meaningful and accessible.

Rubrics aren’t just for grading—they’re powerful tools that help bring clarity and direction to both learners and instructors. In instructional design, I’ve found that a well-built rubric doesn’t just set expectations—it actually supports learning. It helps learners self-assess, guides instructors in giving meaningful feedback, and brings alignment across objectives, activities, and assessment. When you include rubrics early in your design process, they can act like a blueprint for success, not just a checklist at the end. That said, not all rubrics are created equal. I recently came across a great piece by Debattista (2018) that digs into how many rubrics miss the mark because they’re too narrow or disconnected from actual learning outcomes. It’s a great reminder that rubrics should evolve alongside our course design—not be slapped on at the end. If you're working in eLearning or hybrid environments, this read is especially worth it.

Instructional Design Principles Matter: Here’s why your brilliant IP isn’t sticking: Because information ≠ transformation. Instructional design makes the difference between: 📚 People “learning about” a concept vs. 💡 People actually doing it As a Program Architect, I use adult learning principles to make ideas unforgettable. #InstructionalDesign #AdultLearning #ProgramDesign #ThoughtLeadership #LearningAndDevelopment

The curse of knowledge is 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 and 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. If you’ve ever tried to teach what you know, you’ve probably hit this wall: You know too much. When your expertise makes it hard to see what professionals who are earlier in their learning actually need. You skip steps, assume understanding, and overwhelm without meaning to. This is one of the biggest challenges professionals face when building a course or a workshop, and it’s why structured and skillful instructional design matters. A well-designed course doesn’t just share information. It guides learners through a journey...one that’s paced, purposeful, intentional, and built with empathy for a specific audience and outcome. Whether you’re creating a course to share your knowledge or building training for your team, the key is stepping out of your expert brain and into your learner’s shoes. Because knowing a lot doesn’t make you a great teacher, designing for learning does. #CourseDesign #LearningExperience #InstructionalDesign #ProfessionalDevelopment #shiftEDAcademy Image description: A graphic showing a hand holding a camera lens against a blurred lake and tree backdrop, with the shiftED Academy logo and the quote “When you know too much… the details disappear” in bold text.

People who are new to instructional design or clients unfamiliar with the field, often struggle to understand the different learning models. Here is my ADDIE model analogy compared to a Home Build.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆? Instructional Design isn’t just about creating learning materials it’s about 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 that drive behavior change, retention, and real-world application. Let’s turn this into a meaningful discussion 👇