From Theory to Practice canvas
Connectivism in Practice
Behaviorism in Practice
Cognitivism in Practice
Choosing the Right Theory
Reflection Activity
Constructivism in Practice
Humanism in Practice
Closing Thoughts
Choosing the Right theory
So, which theory should you use? The answer is: it depends. Here's some quick tips to help you:
- Use Behaviorism when teaching facts, rules, or procedures
- Use Cognitivism when teaching concepts or structured processes
- Use Constructivism for problem-solving and experiential learning
- Use Humanism to foster motivation and personal development
- Use Connectivism for digital, collaborative, or lifelong learning experiences
As instructional designers, we don’t just create content—we create opportunities for transformation.
Learn more
Humanism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Humanism is all about growth, motivation, and the idea that learners are whole people, not just information processors. Example in Practice: Picture a wellness course for employees. Offer modules on nutrition, stress management, work-life balance, and let learners choose where to start. Each section ends with a short reflection prompt encourating self-awareness and personal growth.
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
When learners feel seen, valued, and empowered, they're more likely to be engaged and take ownership.
Support intrinsic motivation by aligning the learning with personal goals.
Offer learner choice through self-directed pathways.
Include opportunities for reflection, journaling, or discussion.
Closing thoughts
🏗️As instructional designers, we're more than just content creators, we're experience architects. 🏫When we use learning theories with purpose, we move from just teaching to truly transforming. "Theory without practice is just as incomplete as practice without theory. The two have to go hand-in-hand" - Assata Shakur
Behaviorism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Behaviorism is the classic theory of learning through conditioning. It's all about observable behaviors, reinforcement, and repetition. You'll see this theory in action any time you design a course with practice drills, quizzes, or rewards for correct answers. Think: "If the learner does X, then Y happens."
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Encourages correct behaviors through reinforcement—perfect for tasks that require accuracy and memorization.
Repeat key information through spaced repetition or a gamified review.
Use short, focused assessments with instant feedback.
Reward progress with digital badges or certificates.
Constructivism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Constructivism is all about learners building their own understanding through experiences, reflection, and social interaction. Example in Practice: You're creating a leadership training for new managers. Instead of lecturing, present a workplace scenario and ask learners to analyze it, make decisions, and discuss their rationale in a group forum.
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Learners are engaging in meaningful, contextualized learning experiences.
Incorporating real-world tasks where learners apply knowledge.
Design problem-solving scenarios or case studies.
Encouraging learners to reflect, collaborate, or even co-create.
Cognitivism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Cognitivism focuses on how learners take in, process, and store information. Where Behaviorism focuses on the output, Cognitivism looks at the mental processes involved in learning, like perception, memory, and problem-solving.
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Helps reduce cognitive load and supports retention by organizing information.
Aligning content to Bloom's Taxonomy to scaffold higher-order thinking.
Chunking content into manageable sections.
Using advanced organizers like concept maps or outlines.
Connectivism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Connectivism is a modern theory for the digital age. Learning happens through networks, and knowledge is distributed, not just held in one's mind, but across people and technology. Example in Practice: Imagine your're building a digital literacy course. Rather than creating all the content yourself, guide learners to explore videos, blogs, and articles, while they contribute to a shared wiki.
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Empowers learners to navigate a fast-changing information landscape and stay connected to current knowledge.
Teach learners how to learn: search, filter, and evaluate information online.
Build community learning spaces using forums or social tools.
Encourage learners to find, curate, and share their own resources.
Reflection Activity
🤔Think of a current or upcoming design project.
- Which learning theory aligns best with your goals and audience?
- How might you apply it in one or two specific ways?
✍🏼Pause, reflect, and jot your ideas down or share them with a colleague.
This is where the real learning starts, by taking action.
From Theory to Practice Canvas
Designing with Love
Created on August 2, 2025
Use this interactive canvas to learn more about how to put the major theories into practice.
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Transcript
From Theory to Practice canvas
Connectivism in Practice
Behaviorism in Practice
Cognitivism in Practice
Choosing the Right Theory
Reflection Activity
Constructivism in Practice
Humanism in Practice
Closing Thoughts
Choosing the Right theory
So, which theory should you use? The answer is: it depends. Here's some quick tips to help you:
As instructional designers, we don’t just create content—we create opportunities for transformation.
Learn more
Humanism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Humanism is all about growth, motivation, and the idea that learners are whole people, not just information processors. Example in Practice: Picture a wellness course for employees. Offer modules on nutrition, stress management, work-life balance, and let learners choose where to start. Each section ends with a short reflection prompt encourating self-awareness and personal growth.
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
When learners feel seen, valued, and empowered, they're more likely to be engaged and take ownership.
Support intrinsic motivation by aligning the learning with personal goals.
Offer learner choice through self-directed pathways.
Include opportunities for reflection, journaling, or discussion.
Closing thoughts
🏗️As instructional designers, we're more than just content creators, we're experience architects. 🏫When we use learning theories with purpose, we move from just teaching to truly transforming. "Theory without practice is just as incomplete as practice without theory. The two have to go hand-in-hand" - Assata Shakur
Behaviorism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Behaviorism is the classic theory of learning through conditioning. It's all about observable behaviors, reinforcement, and repetition. You'll see this theory in action any time you design a course with practice drills, quizzes, or rewards for correct answers. Think: "If the learner does X, then Y happens."
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Encourages correct behaviors through reinforcement—perfect for tasks that require accuracy and memorization.
Repeat key information through spaced repetition or a gamified review.
Use short, focused assessments with instant feedback.
Reward progress with digital badges or certificates.
Constructivism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Constructivism is all about learners building their own understanding through experiences, reflection, and social interaction. Example in Practice: You're creating a leadership training for new managers. Instead of lecturing, present a workplace scenario and ask learners to analyze it, make decisions, and discuss their rationale in a group forum.
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Learners are engaging in meaningful, contextualized learning experiences.
Incorporating real-world tasks where learners apply knowledge.
Design problem-solving scenarios or case studies.
Encouraging learners to reflect, collaborate, or even co-create.
Cognitivism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Cognitivism focuses on how learners take in, process, and store information. Where Behaviorism focuses on the output, Cognitivism looks at the mental processes involved in learning, like perception, memory, and problem-solving.
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Helps reduce cognitive load and supports retention by organizing information.
Aligning content to Bloom's Taxonomy to scaffold higher-order thinking.
Chunking content into manageable sections.
Using advanced organizers like concept maps or outlines.
Connectivism in Practice
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Connectivism is a modern theory for the digital age. Learning happens through networks, and knowledge is distributed, not just held in one's mind, but across people and technology. Example in Practice: Imagine your're building a digital literacy course. Rather than creating all the content yourself, guide learners to explore videos, blogs, and articles, while they contribute to a shared wiki.
Why it Works
Theory in Practice: Idea 3
Theory in Practice: Idea 2
Theory in Practice: Idea 1
Empowers learners to navigate a fast-changing information landscape and stay connected to current knowledge.
Teach learners how to learn: search, filter, and evaluate information online.
Build community learning spaces using forums or social tools.
Encourage learners to find, curate, and share their own resources.
Reflection Activity
🤔Think of a current or upcoming design project.
- Which learning theory aligns best with your goals and audience?
- How might you apply it in one or two specific ways?
✍🏼Pause, reflect, and jot your ideas down or share them with a colleague.This is where the real learning starts, by taking action.