Designing effective training isn’t about flashy slides or impressive jargon—it’s about making learning stick. Whether you're developing a corporate workshop, online course, or in-person seminar, the goal is the same: help people learn something they can actually use.
But most training fails. Why? Because it's not built on how people actually learn.
This checklist is built on cognitive science, instructional design principles, and learning psychology. Use it to make sure your training hits the mark.
1. Clear Learning Objectives
Before anything else, define what learners should be able to do by the end. This isn't just for clarity—setting goals improves motivation and focus.
Why it matters: According to research from Locke and Latham, goal setting improves performance by directing attention and effort.
What to do:
Write objectives in actionable terms: “By the end of this course, learners will be able to [verb] [something specific].”
Avoid vague verbs like “understand” or “know.” Use “analyze,” “apply,” “design,” “evaluate,” etc.
✅ Checklist Item: Learning objectives are specific, measurable, and clearly communicated at the start.
2. Chunked Content
Cognitive load theory tells us that working memory is limited. Overloading it leads to confusion and drop-off.
Why it matters: When content is broken into digestible “chunks,” learners retain it better.
What to do:
Divide material into modules or lessons that focus on one main idea.
Use headings, bullet points, and summaries to organize content visually and conceptually.
Keep video or reading segments under 10 minutes when possible.
✅ Checklist Item: Content is broken into logical, bite-sized segments.
3. Active Learning
Passive listening doesn’t work. Learners need to engage with the material through doing, not just consuming.
Why it matters: Studies show that active learning increases retention and transfer of knowledge. It also boosts motivation and reduces boredom.
What to do:
Use activities like quizzes, discussions, simulations, role-playing, or problem-solving.
Incorporate reflection: “What would you do in this situation?” or “How does this apply to your role?”
✅ Checklist Item: Learners are required to actively participate at regular intervals.
4. Immediate Practice and Application
The sooner learners use new information, the better they’ll remember it.
Why it matters: The “testing effect” shows that retrieval practice boosts memory. Application cements learning.
What to do:
Include frequent low-stakes quizzes.
Provide realistic scenarios or case studies.
Design exercises that mimic real-world tasks.
✅ Checklist Item: Opportunities for practice and application are built into each lesson.
5. Feedback That Helps, Not Hurts
Feedback should guide learners, not shame them. It should be immediate, specific, and constructive.
Why it matters: According to Hattie and Timperley’s feedback model, effective feedback answers three questions: Where am I going? How am I doing? What’s next?
What to do:
Provide feedback right after a task when possible.
Point out not just what’s wrong, but why—and how to fix it.
Use peer review or self-assessment when appropriate.
✅ Checklist Item: Feedback is timely, specific, and actionable.
6. Spaced Repetition
People forget fast. Spacing learning over time helps fight the “forgetting curve.”
Why it matters: Spaced repetition strengthens long-term memory. It’s been proven more effective than cramming or one-off exposure.
What to do:
Revisit key concepts across different modules or sessions.
Build in review points, recap exercises, or spaced quizzes.
Encourage learners to come back to material over days/weeks.
✅ Checklist Item: Key concepts are reviewed and reinforced over time.
7. Multimodal Delivery
People have different learning preferences, and the brain processes information better when it comes from multiple inputs.
Why it matters: Dual coding theory says combining words and visuals improves understanding. But don’t just throw in visuals for the sake of it—make them meaningful.
What to do:
Use relevant visuals (diagrams, infographics, timelines).
Offer content in text, audio, and video when possible.
Let learners choose how they consume content (read or listen, for example).
✅ Checklist Item: Course uses more than one modality to deliver content, with purpose.
8. Social Learning Opportunities
We learn better when we learn with others.
Why it matters: Social interaction can enhance motivation, accountability, and critical thinking. Bandura’s social learning theory highlights how we learn from observing and interacting with others.
What to do:
Add discussion forums, group activities, or peer feedback.
Encourage mentorship or learning partners.
Use collaborative tools or real-time breakout sessions.
✅ Checklist Item: Learners have structured opportunities to interact and collaborate.
9. Real-World Relevance
Learning sticks when it feels useful.
Why it matters: Adult learning theory (Andragogy) emphasizes the importance of relevance and immediate applicability.
What to do:
Anchor lessons in real-world problems or workplace tasks.
Use examples learners can relate to.
Ask, “When and how will someone use this in the real world?”
✅ Checklist Item: Training is clearly tied to real-world applications and job performance.
10. Motivation and Autonomy
People are more engaged when they feel a sense of control and purpose.
Why it matters: Self-determination theory shows that autonomy, competence, and relatedness drive motivation.
What to do:
Let learners choose their path when possible (optional modules, flexible pacing).
Make progress visible with milestones or badges.
Connect learning goals to personal or career growth.
✅ Checklist Item: Learners have autonomy and understand the value of what they’re learning.
11. Assessment That Measures Application, Not Just Recall
Knowing facts isn't enough. Good assessment measures whether learners can do something with what they’ve learned.
Why it matters: Bloom’s taxonomy encourages moving beyond recall to higher-order skills like application, analysis, and evaluation.
What to do:
Include scenario-based questions or tasks.
Use simulations or roleplays.
Align assessments with the learning objectives you started with.
✅ Checklist Item: Assessments test for real-world application, not just rote memory.
12. Accessibility and Inclusion
If learners can’t access your content or feel excluded by it, the rest doesn’t matter.
Why it matters: Accessible training isn't just a legal requirement—it’s a moral and practical one. Inclusive design leads to better learning for everyone.
What to do:
Follow WCAG accessibility guidelines: alt text for images, captions for videos, screen reader compatibility.
Use plain language. Avoid jargon.
Represent diverse perspectives in examples and scenarios.
✅ Checklist Item: Course meets accessibility standards and reflects diverse experiences.
13. Data-Driven Iteration
The first version is never perfect. Track what works and improve it.
Why it matters: Learning analytics help identify what’s effective and where people struggle.
What to do:
Monitor quiz scores, completion rates, and feedback.
Run surveys and open-ended evaluations.
Use data to tweak content, pacing, and format.
✅ Checklist Item: Course includes a feedback loop for ongoing improvement.
Wrap-Up: Putting It All Together
Great training doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on how people actually learn. Here’s a quick version of the checklist:
✅ Training Design Essentials:
Clear, specific learning objectives
Chunked, organized content
Active learning built-in
Immediate practice and application
Timely, constructive feedback
Spaced repetition of key ideas
Multimodal delivery (visual, audio, text)
Opportunities for social learning
Real-world relevance
Learner autonomy and motivation
Application-focused assessments
Accessible and inclusive design
Data-driven iteration
Design your training with these elements, and you’re no longer guessing—you’re building a course that works.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a mobile-responsive, SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant rapid course development software that provides a drag and drop engine to enable most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make LMS Portals the ideal SaaS-based eLearning platform for our clients and our Reseller partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
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