Learning isn’t content delivery: why experience beats informationModern AI tools make it easier than ever to create learning content, but faster production does not mean better learning. True learning happens through experience, not just information delivery. Coursensu uses the six learning types framework - to remind us that acquisition is only the beginning. Collaboration, discussion, investigation, practice, and production are what transform content into meaningful learning. Designing for balance across these types ensures engagement, deeper understanding, and lasting impact. In a world full of generated content, learning designers must focus less on delivery and more on crafting experiences that connect, challenge, and inspire action.
How to make learning stickySticky learning is learning that lasts. It goes beyond short-term recall and equips learners with skills and insights they can apply in real life. To design sticky learning, you need strategies that align with how people learn: explain the process, teach learning techniques, create desirable difficulty, and use stories to make content memorable. Build authenticity and transparency into your activities, encourage active engagement, and design time for reflection. The result is a learning experience that learners connect with emotionally and practically. Sticky learning is deliberate, but the payoff is worth it: retention, confidence, and a personal, long-term impact for every learner.
Storytelling in learning designStorytelling is one of the oldest and most effective ways of learning. From cave dwellers to modern classrooms, stories capture attention, connect with emotions, and make facts memorable. In learning design, stories can ground abstract concepts, build empathy, and motivate learners by creating relatable and engaging experiences. They can take the form of scenarios, case studies, simulations, or even learner-generated narratives. The trade-offs are real, but with careful design, stories create lasting impact. By using storytelling intentionally, learning designers can transform content into meaningful experiences that learners remember, apply, and connect with long after the course ends.
