Experiential
Learning Design
A practical, research-informed workshop for trainers who want to create programs that help people use what they've learned.
"A huge wealth of knowledge and experience. I feel confident applying the material."— Recent participant
When people are bored,
they stop learning.
Training that relies heavily on PowerPoint has consistently shown low retention. A landmark meta-analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Freeman et al., 2014) found that students in passive, lecture-based courses significantly underperformed those in active learning environments.
After 30 years working with trainers, I've seen this pattern over and over. The fix isn't better slides. It's experiential design — and there's a longstanding, systematic way to do it.
Low Retention from Passive Learning
Lecture-only formats leave participants disengaged — and information doesn't stick.
High Retention from Experiential Design
Active learning environments produce measurably better outcomes.
Five things you'll take
back to your work
A reusable experiential design system
A template that keeps everything in one place — activities, handouts, links, resources, even logistics — instead of scattered across files and folders. Use it every time you design.
A Padlet workspace for the creative side of design
The Padlet handles the creative work; the template handles administration. Both are yours to keep and adapt.
Ready-to-adapt evaluation tools
Workshop evaluation forms to measure participant reaction, plus pre/post tests to measure actual learning. All ready to customize for your context.
A framework for auditing training
Tools to evaluate your own programs and assess whether outside consultants are genuinely applying experiential principles — not just checking boxes.
12 hours of continuing education & a certificate
Receive a Certificate of Experiential Learning Design and documentation to support professional development reimbursement where applicable.
Straight from the room
"This course will really help us revamp and strengthen our workshops."
"I'm glad I took this class before stepping into facilitation. I learned techniques I can use right away."
"A huge wealth of knowledge and experience. I feel confident applying the material."
"There's a lot of great information I wish I'd had before I began facilitating."
30 years of designing training
that works.
This workshop grew out of 25+ years teaching in the Diploma in Adult Education program at St. Francis Xavier University — a nationally respected program that ran for 50 years. Many former graduates asked me to continue this work independently.
This is the first time I'm offering it on my own — a direct continuation of that tradition, brought forward.
Everything you need to know
Schedule & Format
Good Fit For
Enrolment is limited — spaces are finite
registration from the
same organisation.
notified when the next
session is scheduled.
Start designing right away with the Instructional Design Studio
The ID Studio is a standalone browser-based tool built around the same five-phase experiential learning model. If you need to get started immediately — or just want to explore the model before committing to a workshop — it's a practical place to begin.
Join us for the next session of this practical, research-grounded workshop.
You'll draw on what you learn every time you design a program.
Reach Out to Be Notified New dates coming soon — reach out and I'll add you to the list.Questions? Contact Alison directly · amlearning.ca