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Teacher-2-Teacher

Rising importance of Learning

Experience Designers

ANTHONY HEI

DUCATION IS UNDERGOING RADICAL change, A Learning Experience Designer (LXD)
driven by technological advances that are propel-
ling us towards a dramatically different future for is a professional working in education
Elearning. Metaverse Learning, Generative Artifi- and instructional design, specialising
cial Intelligence, Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) are
high-potential technologies that compel adoption of ex- in developing effective and engaging
periential teaching-learning. And even as game-changing learning experiences for students
technologies play a pivotal role in this transformation, the
Learning Experience Designer will become a central player
in the creation of innovative learning experiences. developed. To harness its full potential, LXDs ‘collaborate’
A Learning Experience Designer (LXD) is a professional closely with AI programs. They discharge a critical role in
working in education and instructional design, specialis- customising AI-generated content to the specific needs of
ing in developing effective and engaging learning experi- each learner. In collaboration with teachers and AI pro-
ences for students. The primary role of an LXD is to design grams, they create pedagogy scenarios that incorporate
learning environments to enable learners to achieve their contextually generated content, enabling students to derive
educational objectives as effectively as possible. maximum benefit from automated programs.
An LXD ensures that an engaging learning experience Professional LXDs leverage their expertise to design
is underpinned by extensive research to provide a deeper learning scenarios that seamlessly incorporate AI-generat-
understanding to the learner and fulfilment of her objec- ed content. They create stimulating learning environments,
tives. As educational developers, remaining at the forefront drawing on the powers of AI, to personalise the experience
of change is not only beneficial, it is essential. One of the for every learner. This bespoke pedagogy enriches the learn-
most transformative changes in recent years has been the ing experience making it compelling and more effective.
shift from conventional pedagogies to holistic learning ex- Moreover, LXDs create learning paths that stimulate
periences. critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. They devise
Learning Metaverses: Using neuroscience and ex- interactive learning and tests that draw on AI-generated
periential learning to power the learning process. content at precisely the right moment to stimulate deeper
Often associated with provision of interactive digital envi- analysis and hands-on application of knowledge.
ronments — Virtual and Augmented Reality — a Learning This synergy between technology and educational de-
Metaverse provides students with opportunities to interact sign produces learners better prepared to confront complex
with each other and with virtual objects in an immersive challenges of the modern world.
way, enabling lesson content to be personalised in accor- Learning Experience Platforms and the ‘social’
dance with their individual learning objectives. However, dimension. Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) are
these virtual worlds or metaverses become effective only designed to facilitate experiential learning. But it is the
when a LXD steps in to assist with development of mean- LXD who shapes learning experiences. LXDs create learn-
ingful, emotional learning experiences, and neuroscience is ing paths on these platforms to enable students to engage
harnessed to optimise knowledge retention. in practical projects, challenges, and interactive learning.
Advances in neuroscience have resulted in better under- LXDs assess the needs and skills levels of students to cre-
standing of how the brain functions in learning situations. ate engaging experiences and learning opportunities that
As such, Learning Metaverses, combined with this knowl- promote acquisition of practical skills that address real-life
edge, offer unique opportunities to design learning envi- demands and problems.
ronments that are in harmony with cognitive mechanisms. Social learning is also a vital component of Learning Ex-
The role of the LXD and neuroscience in building Learn- perience Platforms which are developed on the premise that
ing Metaverses is critical. Together, they create digital en- learning outcomes improve substantially when students
vironments that optimise learner participation by combin- interact with peers. LXDs are instrumental in designing
ing the principles of cognition. As a result, the cognitive environments that promote social learning.
potential of learners is fully aroused making the learning In short, since social learning plays a central role in
experience highly effective and memorable. LXDs combine Learning Experience Platforms, the role of the LXD is to
instructional design, immersive storytelling, and ease of in- develop environments conducive to interaction, collabora-
teraction to optimise the learning experience. tion, and mutual learning. This enriches students’ learning
Generative Artificial Intelligence: Creating high- experience and prepares them to work collaboratively and
quality educational content. Generative AI, based on learn continuously throughout their lives.
large language models (LLM) such as GPT-3 and GPT-4, (Anthony Hei is Chief Digital Officer at the Excelia Business School,
is revolutionising the way in which educational content is France)

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