Reading Reflections: Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen

I just finished reading Julie Dirksen’s new book, Design for How People Learn. The core audience of this book, at least in my mind, would be the Instructional Designer. 

I think the book has value well beyond that core audience based on one of the things that make it unique.  Design for How People Learn discusses not only design for learning, but also design for memory and design for attention.   If you ever have the need to create materials from which users will gain, retain and use information and skills, this is a book that can help you be successful.

What I liked most about this book was the style in which it is written.  The book stands upon a great deal of research, yet it never feels as though you are reading a stale report or case study.  The tone of the book is extremely conversational, as if you were sitting at a table sharing coffee while the author shares with you tips she has learned in her practice.

And the tips shared are extremely valuable.  The book explores the importance of getting to know who your learners are, what learning goals really are, and how humans remember and recall information.  It then builds on that knowledge to separately address and share tips on how to design learning to gain attention, to gain knowledge, to develop skills, to motivate, and to address gaps in the learner’s environment.

I think this book is an excellent resource and should be added to the reading lists of  both new and experienced Instructional Designers.

For other posts in which people share their thoughts on this book, check out:

Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen @usablelearning (post by Cammy Bean from Learning Visions)

Book Review: Design for How People Learn (Voices That Matter) by Julie Dirksen (article by Judy Unrein for eLearn Magazine)

Click here to check out Design for How People Learn at Amazon.com