AI in LX Design: Revolutionising Learning Experience Creation

Learning experience (LX) design is all about creating meaningful and engaging experiences for learners. It seeks to develop personalised, learner-centric programmes based on the learner’s needs and goals. And AI in LX design can potentially transform how we approach learning.  

In the latest of our series of articles exploring the game-changing impact of AI, we focus on LX design. Today’s blog discusses the challenges LX designers face and how an AI-enhanced process could be transformational. Finally, we highlight the recommended AI tools that can take LX design to another level.  

Let’s get started by exploring what learning experience design means in practice.  

It’s a specialist field within instructional design. And it describes the process of designing and creating effective and engaging learning experiences. LX designers take students on a learning journey by focusing on their needs and goals while incorporating instructional strategies and multimedia elements.  

LX design is rooted in several disciplines. It takes much from user experience principles, microlearning and adaptive learning models. And it’s also influenced by cognitive psychology, neuroscience and instructional frameworks like ADDIE and Mayer’s multimedia principles. Creativity and innovation are carefully balanced with pedagogy.  

The bottom line is that LX designers aim to make learning more enjoyable and impactful. A data-driven process delivers engaging, meaningful learning experiences. These enhanced experiences include multimedia content, simulations, games, and more.   

LX design is a dynamic and fast-changing discipline. Keeping up with new technologies and trends is a top priority for designers.  

Here are some of the other current learning experience design challenges:  

• Learner-centric approach: Each student has unique strengths, weaknesses and prior knowledge. Creating personalised learning paths for individual learners is challenging. There’s no room for a one-size-fits-all approach. Designers must cater to the diverse preferences and styles of a vast range of learners.  

• Maintaining engagement: Social media and our hyper-connected lifestyles have impacted our ability to concentrate. Even when learning paths are tailored to the individual, designers still have a task on their hands to maintain motivation. LX designers must be innovative and find new ways to keep learners engaged while also delivering learning outcomes.  

• Content adaptation: Ensuring content remains relevant and up to date is a struggle for designers. In a fast-changing world, content curation is a resource-intensive process. And it’s a similar story with adaptive learning. Personalised pathways require designers to analyse learner interactions, performance and behaviour to make informed decisions about the content and activities to present. And that process takes time and effort.

AI offers a range of capabilities to address these challenges and transform the learning experience. AI tools add value to the design process on several fronts. Let’s breakdown them down.  

• Personalised learning pathways: As we’ve seen, personalisation is the primary focus of LX design. AI can analyse vast amounts of data on learners’ preferences, behaviours, and progress. And it can do so much faster and more accurately than humans. Enhanced learning analytics helps designers fine-tune their programs for each learner.  

• Intelligent content recommendations: AI-powered tools can also help designers to deliver more personalised content and activities by making data-driven recommendations. The individual learner gets to experience a more engaging, tailor-made learning path that optimises knowledge retention.  

• Adaptive assessments: AI-driven personalisation also extends to assessments. Instead of a traditional universal assessment, AI-powered ones adapt in real-time based on the learner’s responses. Learners are constantly challenged at an appropriate level, leading to a deeper understanding and improved learning outcomes.  

• Automated content discovery: AI can significantly speed up the content curation process. AI algorithms scan huge amounts of online content, including articles, videos, blogs, research papers, and more. These tools can identify and classify materials relevant to specific topics or learning objectives.  

The potential benefits of integrating AI into your learning experience design are undoubtedly significant. However, before you jump on the AI bandwagon, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Human oversight is needed to ensure that the drawbacks of using AI in LX design do not overshadow the significant benefits.  

Here are the headline watchouts LX designers need to be aware of: 

• Ethical considerations: All that learner data collection comes with responsibilities. LX designers must ensure that learner data is handled responsibly and ethically. Data security is critical for preventing the misuse of personal information. Only collect necessary data and ensure AI algorithms are transparent. Finally, data collection must comply with data protection regulations like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation.  

• Guarding against biases: Promoting fair and inclusive learning opportunities is the goal of every LX designer. However, AI algorithms can inadvertently magnify biases in the data. You need to be super vigilant in identifying and mitigating this potential problem.  

As AI continues to impact the field, several must-have tools have emerged. Here are some of the essential platforms every LX designer needs to create compelling learning experiences.  

• Miro is an online whiteboarding platform that allows designers to collaborate with subject matter experts and clients. You can use Miro to design processes, map out learning pathways and visually organise content. 

• Typeform is another handy tool. LX designers use it to create interactive forms, surveys, quizzes and assessments. It can even collect data, insights and feedback from learners to inform the design process.  

• Canva is already well-known to LX designers as a versatile graphic design platform. However, it uses AI-powered features to suggest design elements and layout options. It will also provide image recommendations to enhance the visual appeal of your program.  

• 7Taps is a microlearning platform. Designers use it to create bite-sized learning content. 7Taps uses AI to analyse the learner’s behaviour and performance and provide adaptive feedback and recommendations. 

• 360 Learning is a learning management system. However, it’s also a valuable tool for creating adaptive learning experiences. 360 Learning uses AI to personalise learning paths, analyse learner data and provide insights into the engagement and performance of learners.  

• Natural language processing platforms like ChatGPT and Video Ask power interactive chatbots and virtual assistants. Designers use these platforms to answer questions, provide explanations and signpost learners to extra resources.  

• Machine learning-driven assessment systems help designers by analysing learner responses to provide personalised feedback and optimised learning outcomes. Examples here include Knewton, ALEX and Smart Sparrow.  

Integrating AI into LX design transforms how learning experiences are created and delivered. Now, it’s much easier for designers to develop personalised learning paths and create engaging content that keeps learners motivated.  

When it comes to LX design, AI has indeed unleashed a revolution. And you don’t want to get left behind. As LX designers continue to harness the power of AI, the potential for genuinely transformative change is becoming an exciting reality.  

Ready to incorporate the remarkable capabilities of AI in your professional practice? The Digital Learning Institute’s Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design includes a new module on generative AI, including 7Taps and Nolej. We will help build your confidence as you practice using AI tools in real-life challenges and case studies.