Tag: learning

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Instructional Designers

A computer monitor displaying a light blue screen with text and checkmarks, featuring a "Describe the course" heading and a list of options related to the habits of highly effective instructional designers. The screen is slightly angled and partially blurry. - Cognota

Today’s instructional designer is more than simply a course creator. As today’s corporations seek to implement a culture of learning, instructional designers need to bring a range of skills to the table. While designing, building, and delivering courses are still their focus, today’s learning and development leaders must be able to manage in complex and uncertain […]

Don’t Just Engage Subject Matter Experts — Win Them Over

A person sits at a desk using a laptop, with a notebook and pen nearby. The screen displays text, hinting at research or collaboration with subject matter experts. An orange and blue gradient overlay enhances the image. - Cognota

Instructional designers and subject matter experts (SMEs) are increasingly finding themselves working together for learning projects. Each side has its own agenda, and for the under-resourced instructional designer trying to manage multiple projects at once, a deeper understanding of the SME’s perspectives can ensure that any project will be completed with success. Create a sense of ownership.  […]

Cognota® wins Elliott Masie’s Learning Barracuda Bowl in Orlando, Florida

Logo for “Elliott Masie’s Learning 2017” event, with colorful text. Below, it highlights the dates October 22-25, 2017, and location Orlando, Florida—home of the exciting Learning Barracuda Bowl. - Cognota

New York – October 29, 2016 –Cognota®, the creators of the Learning Design System (LDS), announced today that it was selected as the first place winner at this year’s Barracuda Bowl, a concept of the “Shark Tank” TV show, but applied to the world of learning.  The event took place at Learning 2016, a conference […]

CLO Series: Dr. Marie Cini of University of Maryland University College

Quote from Marie Cini of the University of Maryland University College about the need for more learning scientists to advance learning design, featured on a dark background with subtle network graphics. - Cognota

Cognota® CLO Series features interviews with current and former Chief Learning Officers and senior learning professionals. We are pleased to share the results here in our blog. We recently were fortunate enough to catch up with Dr. Marie Cini, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at University of Maryland University College.  This blogpost incorporates her […]

5 Tips for Instructional Designers When Working with Subject Matter Experts

A woman with light hair looks at a tablet device. Abstract digital graphics and network nodes are superimposed, giving it a technological and futuristic feel—perfect for exploring tips for instructional designers. - Cognota

A learning project’s success often depends on the valuable content provided by subject matter experts (SMEs). Here are a few tips to help the process run more smoothly when working with subject matter experts. Involve SMEs heavily from the beginning, and create a sense of ownership. Too often, a SME is asked to step in once […]

CLO Series: Bror Saxberg of Kaplan

A quote on a dark background reads: "We're training our learning team in the principles of how learning and learning measurement are actually best done," says Bror Saxberg, Chief Learning Officer, Kaplan. - Cognota

Cognota® has recently kicked off a series of interviews with current and former Chief Learning Officers and senior learning professionals. We are pleased to share the results here in our blog. We recently were fortunate enough to catch up with Bror Saxberg, CLO of Kaplan and Board Advisor at Cognota®.  This blogpost incorporates his responses to questions related to […]

Can a Learning Experience Design System Address the Skills Gap?

Four interconnected circles with icons—a computer screen, an arrow pointing out of a box, a document with a video symbol, and a checklist—represent elements of a learning experience design system in blue and gray tones. - Cognota

Chicken or the egg: are organizations not able to hire because they cannot find qualified workers, or can job seekers not obtain quality jobs because they lack the right skills?  Who is to blame, and what should be fixed first? Th skills gap has been a hot topic of discussion for several years now, as economists, labor experts, recruiters, […]

CLO Series: Nick Howe of Area9 Learning

Dark graphic with text: “‘Corporate ed. is awash with myths and bad practices. It’s time for evidence-based approaches.’ – Nick Howe, Chief Learning Officer, Area9 Learning.” Abstract lines and dots in the background highlight Nick Howe’s message. - Cognota

Cognota® has recently kicked off a series of interviews with current and former Chief Learning Officers and senior learning professionals. We are pleased to share the results here in our blog. We recently were fortunate enough to catch up with Nick Howe, CLO of Area9, former Vice President of Learning and Development at Hitachi Data Systems, and […]

Overcoming the Challenges of Working with Subject Matter Experts

Diagram showing LDS and LMS icons connecting to a computer monitor, tablet, and smartphone, highlighting integration between learning systems and devices—ideal for working with experts or subject matter experts to overcome challenges in digital education. - Cognota

Subject matter experts (SMEs) drive the content for the courses your organization needs. Since their job requirements usually don’t include teaching others, how can you encourage them to commit to your projects so everyone can be successful? SMEs are busy people. They may be heads of engineering, technology, sales, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, operations, […]

The Importance of Testing in Instructional Design

A computer monitor displays a blue screen with white text and checkbox options, partially obscured by glare. The visible text asks to "Describe the course," highlighting the importance of testing in instructional design for effective learning outcomes. - Cognota

While many people truly enjoy learning something new, most people dread having to take a test that measures how much they just learned. So why do we keep forcing people to take exams? This blog has covered testing in the past. The testing industry abounds, from state-mandated aptitude exams, to the college-entrance SAT and ACT, to […]