Learning experience design canvas
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Design learning that actually sticks
Have you ever sat through training that was packed with content, but somehow left very little behind?
It happens all the time.
People are often asked to design learning quickly. There is pressure to cover the material, get through the slides and make sure everything has been said. But more content does not automatically lead to better learning.
This worksheet is designed to help you step back and think more intentionally about the learning experience you are creating.
It helps you design learning that is more relevant, more relational and more reflective, so people are more likely to stay engaged, make sense of what they are learning and apply it in practice.
It also helps shift the focus from delivering information to designing for change.
What this worksheet helps people do
This worksheet and ideas cards combo helps people to create more impactful learning experiences by:
designing learning that goes beyond simple content delivery
thinking more clearly about what helps learning stick
making workshops and training more relevant to real work
building in reflection, discussion and connection
creating more intentional learning experiences
It is flexible enough to use for individual workshops, longer programmes or other learning activities.
Who is it for?
This worksheet pack is useful for anyone designing a learning experience.
It works well for people creating training sessions, workshops, courses or development programmes. You can use it on your own, and it also works well with others when you are designing learning as a team.
It is especially useful when you want to move away from content-heavy sessions and create something more thoughtful, engaging and effective.
How to use it
Use the canvas to think through the different ingredients of an effective learning experience before you start designing in detail. Use the ideas cards to trigger new thinking for your session structure and content.
It can help you reflect on how to make the learning more:
relevant
relational
reflective
You can use it digitally or print it large for workshop use.
As with any worksheet, the value is not just in what gets written down. It is in the conversations, decisions and design choices it helps you make.
Used well, this tool can help you move from “what content should I include?” to “what kind of learning experience do I want people to have?”
Tried and tested in practice
This tool brings together what we have learned from delivering Service Design in Practice since 2019 and reflecting on what helps people change their practice.
It was first shared at Service Design in Government in September 2025 to spark conversations and help people practise applying the principles of what makes a great learning experience.
Request the worksheet
Get the worksheet and ideas cards sent to your inbox by completing the form below.
They are both available as PDFs you can use digitally or print for team discussion in meetings and workshops.
This worksheet pack is shared under a Creative Commons licence CC BY-SA 4.0 so you can freely use it in your own work. All we ask is that you say where you got it from.
If you use it and find a way to improve it, we’d love to hear about it.
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About to embark on a piece of work with a new team? Find out more about Frame the Challenge worksheet - a tool for helping teams get clear on the problem, align around purpose and define success.
