What is a Learning Design System and Why Does it Matter?
The first Learning Design System (LDS) has arrived, combining instructional designers, subject matter experts, and client stakeholders into a virtual collaborative environment. Designed by Canadian expert instructional designers at KnowledgeNow, eClarity is a complete Learning Design System that streamlines the process around setting learning outcomes, chunking content, managing processes, and publishing a detailed storyboard directly into a Learning Management System.
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Two different screenshots are paired together in a composite image with a woman with medium-dark skin. The first screenshot is a note titled “Reminder” with note text that includes “Learning will happen in a hybrid manner: Online in Brightspace, in-class at the college, practical at Bombardier. The second screenshot shows eClarity’s navigation menu showing: Schedule, Analysis, Design with sub-menu items (Macro Design, Micro Design, Visual, and Assessments), then Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.
What is a Learning Design System?
The learning industry continues to grow and is evolving quicker than ever. In this landscape of education and training, organizations are constantly seeking ways to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of their learning programs. This is where a Learning Design System (LDS) comes into play.
A Learning Design System is a platform that supports the entire lifecycle of learning design—from the initial conception of ideas to the delivery and evaluation of learning content. Unlike traditional instructional design approaches that might rely on many tools and applications, an LDS integrates all aspects of the design process into a unified system.
Learning Design Systems are built to be compatible with Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as D2L Brightspace, Moodle, and Canvas. The LDS allows organizations to seamlessly create, manage, and update their learning content without being tied down by specific platforms or technologies.
Key Features of a Learning Design System
1. Centralized Content Management
An LDS enables teams to store all learning materials in a single accessible and secure location. This centralization reduces the risk of errors such as version control issues and inconsistencies, and makes it easier to update content at each point in a project lifecycle and on project hand-off.
2. Scalability and Consistency
Whether you’re designing a single course or an entire curriculum, an LDS ensures that the quality and accessibility of your content remain consistent. This scalability is especially important for organizations looking to expand their training programs without sacrificing the learner experience.
3. Collaboration and Efficiency
Instructional design almost always involves multiple stakeholders, such as subject matter experts, writers, multimedia developers, and other specialists. An LDS facilitates collaboration by providing tools that allow team members to work together in real-time, streamlining the design process and reducing time-to-market for new courses.
4. Data-Driven Insights
One of the most significant advantages of an LDS is its ability to provide actionable insights. By tracking learner interactions and outcomes, an LDS can help instructional designers refine and improve their courses over time, ensuring that learning objectives are met.
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A pair of screenshots with an image of a woman with medium skin smiling and holding a smart tablet.
The first screenshot from eClarity reads "Project Dashboard" at the top with a sample project called "Project Alpha". The project status is "Live" and Resources, or people assigned to the project, are listed as Alice and Bob. The project is considered 70% done. Course 1 is active with the development phase shown as 80% complete. Course 2 is listed as On Hold with the Design phase shown as 60% complete. Each of these completion statuses has a project bar. They also show a project end date, days to completion, and an option to view a project schedule.
The second screenshot shows the Design schedule with columns for Task, Start Date, End Date, Assignee, Status, and Comments.
Why Your Organization Needs an LDS
The benefits of a Learning Design System extend far beyond the creation of individual courses. In today’s fast-paced educational environment, organizations must be agile and responsive to the needs of their learners. An LDS not only supports this agility but also empowers organizations to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences.
Investing in a Learning Design System is not just about adopting new technology; it’s about reimagining how learning is designed, delivered, and experienced. With the right LDS, organizations can elevate their instructional design practices, create more impactful learning experiences, and ultimately achieve better outcomes for both learners and educators.
Spotlight on eClarity
One exceptional example of an LDS is eClarity by KnowledgeNow. This proprietary system is specifically designed to meet the demands of diverse learning audiences, offering tools and features that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. eClarity ensures that every learner, regardless of their background or abilities, can access and benefit from the educational content provided.
eClarity’s compatibility with any LMS means that organizations can implement this system without overhauling their existing infrastructure, making it a seamless addition to any educational or training program.
By leveraging eClarity, organizations can significantly enhance their instructional design processes, delivering more impactful, engaging, and effective learning experiences.
If you’re interested in learning more about how a Learning Design System like eClarity can benefit your organization, explore the details at KnowledgeNow's eClarity page.
