In the design of a learning system for humanitarians, the following questions should be given careful consideration:
- Does each component of the system foster cross-cutting analysis and critical thinking competencies that are key to humanitarian leadership?
- Is the curriculum standardized across all components, with shared learning objectives and a common competency framework?
- Is the curriculum modular so that components may be tailored to focus on context-specific performance gaps?
- Does the system provide experiential learning (through scenario-based simulations) and foster collaboration (through social, peer-to-peer knowledge co-construction) in addition to knowledge transmission (instruction)?
- How are learning and performance outcomes evaluated?
- Are synergies between components of the learning system leveraged to minimized costs?
- Have the costs over time been correctly calculated by estimating both development and delivery costs?
These questions emerged from the development of a learning system for market assessment last year, thinking through how to use learning innovation to achieve efficiency and effectiveness despite limited resources.
Photo: The Infinity Room (The House on the Rock) (Justin Kern/Flickr)