{"id":18374,"date":"2022-09-19T09:41:38","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T06:41:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/?p=18374"},"modified":"2026-02-27T15:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T13:16:26","slug":"learner-centered-approach-what-why-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/learner-centered-approach-what-why-how\/","title":{"rendered":"Eyes on your learners: Choosing a learner-centered approach"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we\u2019re being honest, user enjoyment is not the first thing you address when planning and building a new training course.<\/p>\n

Of course, you want people to engage with the training.<\/strong><\/a> But your first thoughts are likely around the content and your objectives. You build training based on what you need to include to get people to the expected learning outcomes.<\/p>\n

If you want to build training that sticks,<\/strong> though, consider taking a learner-centered approach.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of reasons to make the learner experience a priority and not an afterthought<\/strong> in your training strategy. In this article, we\u2019ll share what a learner-centered approach is, why you want to use it, and tips for how to apply it in your training program design.<\/p>\n

What is a learner-centered approach?<\/h2>\n

A learner-centered approach is just what it sounds like: A method of building training that takes into account the user experience first. It shifts the traditional focus from what the instructor should be teaching to what the employee should be learning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The distinction may sound subtle, but it can actually make a big difference<\/strong> in how you present your content. And, more importantly, in how much information your employees retain.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at some of the key differences between the two approaches:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Traditional approach<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Learner-centered approach<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Learners<\/strong> are passive, blank slates. Instructors are experts who impart information for students to absorb.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

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Learners<\/strong> respond to the content and actively pursue learning. Instructors act as facilitators and coaches to help guide discovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Content<\/strong> is geared toward what you want the learner to learn, ticking a box (i.e., fulfilling compliance objectives).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Content<\/strong> is geared toward learner needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Delivery<\/strong> is generally lecture-based, with testing at the end to see if learners can replicate skills and regurgitate information.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Delivery<\/strong> is dynamic, meeting learners where they are. It includes media and training methods that speak to different types of learners. There are opportunities for testing knowledge throughout to give learners a sense of where they are and strengthen their understanding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Why you should consider a learner-centered approach<\/h2>\n

No matter your approach, the ultimate goal is retention and application of the content.<\/strong> You want people to learn, you want them to remember what they learn, and you want them to apply what they learn back on the job.<\/p>\n

When you acknowledge learner needs and preferences, you design a course that appeals to them and that they find accessible. You\u2019ll add interactive elements,<\/strong><\/a> make use of technology for convenience and engagement, and build in activities that support learning.<\/p>\n

Simply put, when you design for people, they\u2019ll be more engaged with the training. And when they\u2019re more engaged, they\u2019re more likely to absorb and remember the content. And their improved performance will boost productivity and help you reach your company goals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So how exactly do you take a learner-centered approach to training design?<\/p>\n

6 tips for learner-centered training design<\/h2>\n

Putting the learner first means seeing the training through their eyes.<\/strong> When and how do they want to learn? How can you get them to actively take charge of their own learning? Here are six ways you can make your training more learner-focused from the beginning.<\/p>\n

1. Start with learner-centered objectives<\/h3>\n

Set targets for your course that take learner benefits into account. Analyze company data and poll employees to find out what they need and want to learn.<\/p>\n

Then, based on the data, set your goals around what learners should take away from the training.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Focus on what the learner should be able to do following the course rather than just what information they\u2019ll be able to repeat once they\u2019ve finished it.<\/p>\n

2. Offer flexible delivery<\/h3>\n

Focusing on learners means offering the content in a way that\u2019s easy to access at a convenient time.<\/strong> For many learners, that means online or mobile delivery and self-paced learning.<\/p>\n

Most employees are used to researching and learning via their smart devices. Consider using an LMS that\u2019s mobile friendly. Giving them content they can access from their smartphones makes it easy and familiar to get into.<\/p>\n

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Looking for an eLearning platform that’s easy to access?
\n<\/strong> Create online courses with flexible delivery with TalentLMS.<\/span>
\nThe training platform that users consistently rank #1.<\/span>\"Create<\/a><\/p>\n

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Self-paced learning also means they can log on between busy times at work or on the go when they have the time to really engage. Make it even easier to engage and stay focused by breaking content into small, digestible chunks.<\/strong> Microlearning and mobile go hand in hand and will ensure your employees have easy, appealing access to training when and where they need it.<\/p>\n

3. Create custom learning paths<\/h3>\n

Use your LMS to set up tailored learning paths. The right platform will let you personalize the home page based on the user\u2019s role in the company and training history. They\u2019ll see only what\u2019s relevant to them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Employees will be more motivated to learn<\/strong> when they can see the connection between the content and their career needs and goals.<\/p>\n

4. Include engagement activities<\/h3>\n

Give learners an active role in their own education by including experiences that get them using the skills and teaching one another. Make full use of your LMS features<\/a> <\/strong>for increasing learner engagement with interactive and hands-on practices.<\/p>\n

Here are a few learner-centered activities examples to get you started:<\/p>\n