Mapping It

I finally read the book, Map It by Cathy Moore.  It is on almost every influential instructional designer's recommended reading list and the only reason that I had not bought it earlier is that it is quite expensive.  Now that I have read it, I will admit it was worth the money.  It provides a pragmatic and thorough explanation of how to create an action map for training materials.  As Cathy Moore states:  "We're going to turn vague 'they should know this' training requests into projects that solve real, clearly defined performance problems.  Our solutions will be targeted to specific groups in specific situations and provided when they are most needed.  The solutions might not include conventional training at all."  Moore asks that when we design learning experiences instead of asking "What do people need to know?", we should be asking "What do people need to do and why aren't they doing it?"  Only then can we get at creating learning experiences that solve problems and are meaningful to people.  

Moore walks us through really concrete examples as she shows how to create an action map and then prototype an activity.  She is big on scenario-based storytelling as an engaging format for learning experiences.  Below is an example she used with soldiers in Afghanistan to help them improve cross-cultural communication with Afghani tribes.  She reveals the importance of showing not telling and engaging learners in scenarios that require them to consider situations that happen in the real world.  She is also a big proponent of streams of activities that provide small increments of training over a longer period of time rather than a one-shot workshop.  Her book validated much of what I have come to understand about effective learning experiences for audiences with diverse abilities.  Her book provides a wonderful map of how to stay true to what learners need not what others think they should know.  While I highly recommend  this book to anyone interested in learning experience or instructional design, her website also provides a wealth of good information to get started with action mapping even if the book is not yet in your budget.

Haji Kamal activity from Cathy Moore on Vimeo.