Let’s talk learning methodologies and activities
Alright, buckle up because we’re diving into the world of learning methodologies and activities – the secret sauce to awesome learning experiences.
Our approach
We’re all about shaking things up with our learning design. We’re not just talking boring lectures here – we’re talking hands-on, interactive, and downright fun learning experiences. We draw on a range of adult learning theories in our learning design. Our approach is driven by the concept of inquiry-based discovery learning, which requires learners to make connections to previous knowledge, bring their own questions to learning, investigate and critically reflect on concepts and design ways to try out their ideas.
What we’re packing
Check out our top picks for learning methods and activities that’ll make your brain do a happy dance.
Brainstorming: Let’s Get Creative
Think of brainstorming like a big ol’ idea party. It’s all about throwing out wild ideas and seeing what sticks. Plus, it’s a great way to get everyone involved and sharing their thoughts.
Benefits
Brainstorming is used to generate ideas and creative solutions. It provides an open environment for learners to share their thoughts and opinions.
Application
Think-Pair-Share is a form of brainstorming. The facilitator provides a prompt (question, statement or problem). Learners then:
- Think: Individually reflect on the prompt
- Pair: Discuss ideas, research the prompt or solve the problem in pairs
- Share: Learners share their thoughts and ideas with the whole group
Case Studies: Real Talk
Case studies are like real-life stories that bring concepts to life. Whether it’s diving into a juicy problem or exploring a tricky situation, case studies make learning feel more relevant and exciting.
Benefits
Case studies contextualise content – they show the application of a concept using a real-life example. We use both analytical case studies (analyse what happened and why) and problem-oriented case studies (identify problems and suggest solutions).
Application
Incorporate case studies when you want learners to:
- Integrate theory and practice
- Use critical analysis and evaluation skills
- Step through a situation and take logical, educated steps towards effective decision-making
When developing a case study: tell a story, provide clear instructions, and base your scenario on something real or likely to happen in their roles.
Debates: Battle of Ideas
Get ready to duke it out – in a friendly way, of course. Debates are all about challenging ideas, exploring different perspectives, and sharpening those critical thinking skills.
Benefits
Debate allows learners to challenge ideas and explore difficult positions in a safe context. It combats passivity by actively involving learners. It fosters teamwork, critical thinking and in-depth study of a topic.
Application
To hold a debate: (1) Present a statement. (2) Divide the group into For and Against. (3) Explain timings and order of speakers. (4) Present the criteria. (5) Give groups time to research and form arguments. (6) Commence the debate. (7) Tally scores, provide feedback and announce the winner.
Self-Paced Fun
Not everyone learns at the same speed – and that’s okay! Self-paced activities let you go at your own pace, diving deeper into topics that interest you the most.
Benefits
We all learn at different paces. It is important that all learners are challenged to maintain engagement. Extension activities provide opportunities for learners to consolidate, extend and refine their knowledge, understanding and skills.
Application
Extension activities may be individual or group-based. They should focus on higher-order thinking skills – use Bloom’s Taxonomy to develop activities that involve ‘analysing’, ‘evaluating’ and ‘creating’.
Problem-Based Learning: Dive Into the Deep End
Imagine tackling real-world problems and coming up with your own solutions – that’s problem-based learning in a nutshell. It’s all about getting your hands dirty and figuring things out for yourself.
Benefits
Problem-based learning uses open-ended problems that reflect real-world situations. Learners develop metacognitive skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, self-direction and autonomy, resourcefulness, and innovation.
Four elements: Non-linear (explore diverse avenues), Authentic (real-world, relevant problems), Guide and scaffold (prompting questions and resources), Personalised (connect with learner styles, provide extension).
Application
The PBL Model: (1) Develop problem. (2) Activate existing knowledge. (3) Identify required knowledge. (4) Research. (5) Critically analyse. (6) Reflect and compare. (7) Share solution. (8) Assess.
Critical Reflection: Think Deep
Reflection isn’t just about looking back – it’s about digging deep and figuring out what you’ve learned along the way. It’s like a mental workout for your brain.
Benefits
Critical reflection strengthens higher-order thinking, develops deeper understandings, and makes sense of experiences. It builds self-awareness, helps identify strengths and weaknesses, and facilitates professional growth.
Application
Reflective practice is often an individual exercise. In its simplest form, five high-level questions:
- What happened?
- How did you respond? What did you think/say/do/feel?
- What was the outcome?
- Can you do anything now to create a better outcome?
- What have you learned? What would you do differently next time?
Useful as an embedding activity: learners routinely journal to reflect on recent or challenging experiences, then discuss learnings with their coach, mentor or learning buddy.
Skills Practice: Get Your Game Face On
Practice makes perfect, right? Skills practice is all about rolling up your sleeves and getting down to business. Whether it’s mastering a new skill or refining an old one, it’s all about putting in the work.
Benefits
Skills practice provides opportunities for learners to develop and refine skills.
Application
Use the ‘Show me, Help me, Let me do it’ process:
- Show me: Demonstrate how to complete the task.
- Help me: Support the learner in completing the task. Talk them through it.
- Let me do it: The learner completes the task independently.
Once the learner is confident, extend their skill by asking them to apply it in different contexts. Provide encouragement and corrective feedback where required.
Critical Incident Analysis: Learn from Mistakes
Mistakes happen – it’s what you do with them that counts. Critical incident analysis is all about learning from past mistakes and making sure they don’t happen again.
Benefits
Critical incident analysis facilitates reflective practice and is often used in high-risk industries. It provides an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and prevents similar incidents from occurring again. It also shows evidence of the importance of workplace policies and procedures.
Application
Present a critical incident relevant to the content. Analyse: the situation and circumstances, the cause, contributing factors, the actions of people involved, and the outcome. Identify how the incident could have been prevented, what has changed, and how practice could be improved.
Incidents can be found at WorkSafe BC and Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
Action Planning: Make It Happen
You’ve got big ideas – now it’s time to put them into action. Action planning is all about turning those ideas into reality and making a real difference.
Benefits
The 70:20:10 model suggests that 90% of learning occurs outside of formal training. Action planning is an embedding strategy that extends, deepens and refines knowledge and skills. It also supports the transfer of learning into the workplace.
Application
One example: create a flip chart for each program’s key topics, stick them around the room, and learners do a gallery walk to brainstorm how to bring these to life. Review as a group. Each learner selects three actions they will focus on and adds them to their action plan.
Simulation: Practice Makes Perfect
Simulations are like real-life training grounds where you can test out your skills without any real-world consequences. It’s a safe space to learn and grow.
Benefits
Through simulations, learners practise skills, develop a deeper understanding of concepts, receive immediate feedback, and experience direct consequences in a safe environment.
Software simulations provide a risk-free sandpit for learners to actively develop and apply skills. Simulations contextualise learning, illustrate issues and promote understanding of group dynamics.
Application
A simulation could last a few minutes or the duration of the program. For program-long simulations, group participants and assign different roles. Before you begin, identify the knowledge, attitude or skills you want participants to develop:
- Knowledge acquisition: learners observe, analyse and assimilate
- Attitude: learners experience emotions and share how they felt
- Skills: learners apply what they’ve learned, reflect and receive feedback
Coaching, Mentoring, and Buddying: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Who says learning has to be a solo journey? Coaching, mentoring, and buddying are all about teaming up with others to learn and grow together.
Benefits
Coaches support learners in goal setting and challenge them to grow to reach their potential. Mentors offer guidance and advice in the workplace. Buddies encourage one another, hold each other accountable, discuss embedding activities, and share learning experiences to broaden understanding.
Application
Always engage coaches and mentors early on – they should understand the program’s learning outcomes and their role. Provide mentors and coaches with a kit of embedding activities to facilitate after the program.
Buddies are often matched during or towards the end of the program. Clearly articulate the buddy’s purpose, when they’re to meet, how, and what to discuss. Provide specific questions or discussion points to keep the conversation aligned to outcomes.
Want to design learning that uses all these methods?
Our Professional Certificate in Instructional Design teaches you how to choose and apply the right learning activities for any audience – with real projects, expert coaching, and templates you’ll actually use.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Examples include:
- Brainstorming
- Case studies
- Debates
- Self-paced extension activities
- Problem-based learning
- Critical reflection
- Critical incident analysis
- Action-planning
- Simulation
- Coaching, mentoring and buddying
Teaching and learning methodologies include:
- Problem-based learning
- Flipped classroom
- Inquiry-based learning
- Project-based learning
- Differentiated learning
- Game-based learning
- Experiential learning
- Shared learning
- Begin by identifying the purpose of the activity and how it links to the learning outcomes.
- Design the introduction for the activity and how it will be positioned.
- Draw on adult learning principles to structure the activity, ensuring it strongly achieves its purpose.
- Create debrief questions to ensure learners developed the intended understanding and skills, and make clear links between the activity and program’s learning outcomes.
