Book: Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen

Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen

In Design for How People Learn, Julie Dirksen delves into the core principles of effective instructional design, emphasizing the importance of understanding the learner’s journey. She explores how memory, attention, and motivation influence learning, providing practical strategies to create engaging and impactful educational experiences. Dirksen’s approachable style, enriched with visual metaphors and real-world examples, makes complex cognitive psychology concepts accessible. This book serves as a comprehensive guide for professionals aiming to design learning interventions that not only inform but also inspire and facilitate lasting behavioral change.

Julie Dirksen is an independent consultant and instructional designer with over 15 years of experience creating highly interactive e-learning experiences for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to technology startups. She has been an adjunct faculty member at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she taught courses in project management, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Dirksen is also the author of the bestselling book, Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change, which focuses on using behavioral science to inform the design of more effective learning experiences.

Workplace learning professionals will find actionable value in this book through its evidence-based strategies for designing learning experiences that align with how people naturally learn and retain information. Dirksen’s insights into creating engaging content, leveraging cognitive principles, and applying practical design techniques empower instructional designers, trainers, and e-learning developers to craft interventions that drive meaningful performance improvements in organizational settings.