Advanced Learning Design

“Re-vision” your learning events for greater success using Dialogue Education!

You’ve experienced first-hand the transformative value of using Dialogue Education™ (DE) in the workplace, in the field, or in the classroom. Now you can deepen your knowledge of DE even further, and gain a direct and practical benefit: the successful redesign of a specific learning event you have planned – either a current training design or something brand new.

In this rigorous three-day course, you will be asked to bring a learning event you feel could be improved or a learning design you‘d like to create. Collaboratively, using the principles and practices of Dialogue Education, you will:

• work through the 8 steps of design to strengthen or design your learning event
• closely analyze and assess your learning event’s strengths and weaknesses; and- reconstruct the event to be more engaging, accountable, and effectively learning-centered.

Through this course, you will not only leave with a strong DE-based learning event, but also gain deep knowledge and practical methods to guide you in designing more effective learning programs in the future.

On a more global level, this dynamic and focused experience of engaging theory with praxis will re-invigorate your ability to lead and inspire your learners and effect lasting and sustainable change in your organization and in the world.

Through Advanced Learning Design you will:

• deepen and expand your technical understanding of curriculum design and learning styles using Dialogue Education™
• receive an honest assessment of your (re)designed learning event and make necessary changes
• leave with a redesigned learning event you can take back to your workplace
• practice methods for designing more profound, engaging and effective training in the future
• learn directly by evaluating and reflecting on the designs of other participants in the workshop
• gain confidence in your abilities as an effective teacher and facilitator
• be one step closer to becoming a Certified Dialogue Education Practitioner

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• activated your prior learning about designing for dialogue
• reviewed the e8 steps of design
• named the content for your design
• written achievement-based objectives for your design
• examined the power of active verbs for writing ABOs
• participated in three strong closings
• refreshed your awareness of learning styles
• analyzed the 4-A task design model  designed learning tasks for your learning event design
• appraised ways to be "learning-centered" in a one-on-one session
• included partner interactions in learning tasks
• reconsidered ways to incorporate cognitive (ideas), affective (feelings), and psychomotor (actions) domains
• suggested uses for graphic organizers
• critiqued numerous learning designs
• rated your facilitation skills
• created ways to address tough situations
• created a group collage representing the group learning experience
• named what you learned and determined how you will transfer your knowledge and skills back in your “real world”

About the Workshop

Course content for Advanced Learning Design is based on the field research and teaching found in Training through Dialogue (Jossey-Bass, 1996) and Taking Learning to Task (Jossey-Bass, 2000), both by Dr. Jane Vella.

During the workshop, your learning will be guided by a facilitator who will model and teach the principles and practices of Dialogue Education through a series of learning tasks. These tasks will stress accountability and relevance, and will directly employ the knowledge you’re learning. Collaboratively (in large and small groups) and on your own, you’ll work through a range of lively and creative exercises to inspire you, within a workshop that provides structure for participation and observable results.

Advanced Learning Design is also offered as a customizable, in-house course for your business, institution, or organization. We’ve taught in many languages and are happy to try to accommodate your language preference. Please contact us to explore the possibilities for working together.

Class size is limited due to participative, learning-centered approach.


Length: 3 full days


Prerequisite: Foundations of Dialogue Education (formerly Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach)