Learning Objectives are Dangerous

I have a master's degree from the great Florida State University; an M.S. in Instructional Systems. I learned to write learning objectives from the best of the best. Having said that, I believe that Learning Objectives are Dangerous.

Think of it this way. Designing learning programs where the learning leads learners only toward the accomplishment of a set of specific objectives, is a very restrictive strategy. You get the actions you expect. If you expect learners to only meet the objectives, that's exactly what they'll do.

The good news is that great people learn despite these restrictive learning objectives. Further, thank goodness learning organizations have continued to survive even though the learning they build is so narrowly focused. I'm thankful to have built a career in corporate learning. But, innovative companies don't restrict themselves like typical learning programs do.

I have a recommendation for corporate learning groups.

My Recommendation
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Write learning objectives, but design learning programs that foster

1. Collaborative work efforts leading to innovation and learner-to-learner relationships
2. Critical thinking leading to resolution of complex problems
3. Reduction of fear so that true action can occur
4. Increases in confidence leading to long term competence
5. Empowerment so that learners take ownership

Essentially, go further than just meeting the objectives. Show up and innovate.

Role of Corporate Learning

"The biggest loss in opportunity for the learning function lies in the fact that it has rejected informal learning." p. 36 of Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension to Enterprise Learning and Collaboration

The corporate learning organization is responsible for the development of the organization's employees so that positive business impact is realized. Sadly, much of what is built is not designed to make an impact. Did you catch that? I said, much of what is "built."

Informal learning means many things to many people. To me, it means determining "non-learning" initiatives which lead to performance improvement. What if there were a group of say five people who interviewed functional teams and documented lessons learned for various projects. Then, that team built a wiki documenting the lessons learned. Finally, they communicated the wiki to employees and drove the improvement and helped foster wisdom of the crowds (i.e. the wiki just gets stronger overtime). So, it's a team of learning professionals who document and promote lessons learned and ensure those lessons lead to more successful projects in the future.

Wow, a learning solution that didn't involve the building of subject matter (product documents, and so forth), nor did it involve lecture. It's just a creative idea to improve performance. That's the role of corporate learning. Implement creative ideas that improve performance.

There once was a learner who went to a course, he listened and listened, but the trainer grew hoarse. The learner fell asleep after counting some sheep, and the the corporate learning group built a budget for more...