Action Mapping in E-Learning: the secret behind goal-oriented learning

Action mapping in e-learning is a method for developing goal-oriented learning content. The focus here is on training, workshops, and courses for companies. In this article, we will show you what action mapping in e-learning is and how you can use it too.

Action mapping in e-learning: The basics

Action mapping in e-learning is not new per se. The foundations for it were established by Cathy Moore in 2008. It is a popular design procedure for anyone who designs courses and training sessions. At the heart of the learning concept should be a concrete and measurable business goal. Based on this goal, learning content, formats, and paths are designed.

The four steps of action mapping

Cathy Moore divides the action mapping process into four steps:

• Identify the business goal.
• Determine what employees need to do to achieve this goal.
• Design activities that help employees practice a specific behavior.
• Determine what employees need to know to perform the activities.

Activities that are designed using an action mapping process are very practice-oriented. If the priority goal is knowledge transfer, learning content often turns out to be theoretical. Therefore, the use of action mapping in e-learning allows for the development of realistic and practical learning content.

Designing e-learning content in reverse

With action mapping, learning content is, so to speak, designed "backwards." Starting from the goal to be achieved, employees are trained accordingly. Before specific learning content is developed, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• What is preventing us from achieving business goal XY?
• What does success look like in concrete terms?
• How will success be measured?

The first question points to current problems and challenges in the company. The second question encourages you to formulate concrete goals. Finally, the third question requires that specific indicators such as KPIs are developed.

Developing learning content from the employee's perspective

In the next step, turn your attention to the employees. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What specific employee behavior would lead to the desired success?
• Why is this behavior not yet being demonstrated?
• What behavior is happening instead?
• What mistakes are frequently made?

These questions motivate you to take a closer look at the everyday work life of employees. Why does the actual state differ from the desired state? What challenges does your team face every day? Where is there a lack of knowledge or practice? A precise insight into the concrete activities of your team provides a clear direction for the learning concept.

Planning learning activities in a practice-oriented way

In the spirit of action mapping, learning activities are planned in a practice-oriented way. This sentence aptly summarizes the practice-oriented approach: "No history of potatoes. Just how to peel."

Ask yourself the following questions before developing learning activities:

• What skills must the employees have?
• How can they practice these skills?
• What tools do they need to use to do so?

Based on the answers to these questions, concrete learning content is now developed.

The design of learning content can happen in collaboration with the employees themselves, e.g., in the form of microblogging and other employee e-learning content. Innovative learning formats such as conversational microlearning can also be part of the learning mix. Make sure to create meaningful learning paths for your employees so that learning success occurs quickly.

Meaningful employee training instead of tiresome to-dos

The learning success of your employees will be significantly greater if they see the purpose of the training. Instead of tiresome "pro forma" training sessions, innovative learning formats should offer real practical benefits. Ideally, they should relieve the burden on your team by helping them complete their tasks more easily and efficiently. Meaningful employee training for your existing team, as well as efficient onboarding, should be at the center of your training strategy.

Action mapping in your e-learning

We are your sparring partner when it comes to e-learning. We would be happy to work with you to develop a meaningful training concept that delivers practice-oriented content. In our feature overview, you can see all the tools available to you for this purpose. Feel free to contact our experts for a free and non-binding consultation.