FutureLearn courses are made up of a variety of step types (audio, video, article etc.). But what are learners doing when they work through these steps?

Learning types focus on what it is learners are doing as they move through a course rather than what it is we are presenting. This leads to learner-centred course design decisions. This was conceptualised by Diana Laurillard in her Conversational Framework.  

Laurillard proposes six core learning types:

• Read Watch Listen
• Discuss
• Collaborate
• Investigate
• Practice
• Produce

FutureLearn steps enable acquisition (read, watch, listen), and most steps allow comments to promote discussion and collaboration through comment. Quizzes and reflective tasks can be used effectively for practice. Discussion steps are a suitable site to promote other types such as investigation when asked to search the web for relevant resources, sharing them via comments, or to produce something and present back to others. 

Top tips

• Map out the learning type for each step within a course within your course outline - identify and design what learners will do during each step. 
• Structure a variety of step types and so a variety of learning types. Aim for the most appropriate step type for the content. 
• Combine different media within a strong linear narrative. Avoid overusing video; it creates a passive learning experience. Break up back-to-back video or article steps with opportunities to reflect, discuss or recall knowledge gained. 
• Identify the learning type for each activity. The learning type will outline how learners will progress towards demonstrating, evidencing, or assessing one of the course learning outcomes or objectives.  
• Align your learning outcome verbs with Laurillard’s six learning types categories (as listed above)

Find out more about learning types in step Social learning on FutureLearn in How to Create a Great FutureLearn Course.  Contact your Partnership Manager for access. 

Including a variety of step types is included in the Content Suitability QA criteria.

Terminology on this page that you aren’t familiar with? Check out our glossary. 

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