4 “Study System” Steps to Consider for Your Training Designs

Many students who are faced with reading multiple text books per semester follow a “study system” that helps them absorb information more effectively. Instructional design consulting experts recommend that, if you are designing a training program with a lot of content, you keep their process in mind. It will make the points you want to convey more accessible to your audience.

1. Headline the General Idea.  The study system begins with a scan of the material to get an overview. Make it easy for your learners to get this high-level view. Present the most important points in a Table of Contents, or as summaries at the end of each module, or in headings that are easily read in a first pass.
2. Highlight Key Ideas.  The second step is to highlight what matters most. Use side bars to set aside and emphasize the most critical information based upon what you are trying to achieve.  Have teams identify and present key ideas to each other. 
3. Recall and Reflect.  After reading the text, students try to recall what they have learned. And then they reflect upon what it all means. Include case study questions, scenarios and action-learning simulations that encourage deep thinking and a more complete understanding of the situation, complications, implications, job-relevance, and various real-life applications.
4. Review.  The final step is to make it easy for your participants to review and access the content when they need it most.  Create tools, job-aids and forums to facilitate the process.