The Missing Composer in Your EdTech Masterpiece:

The Case for Applied Learning Scientists

You've hit the ground running—lined up subject matter experts, hired top-notch UI/UX designers, engaged seasoned developers, and even teamed up with an award-winning educator. Your EdTech solution bursts onto the scene, racking up usage rates that exceed your wildest expectations. The bubbly flows, and you're quickly pondering version 2.0.

But then, the momentum slows. User subscriptions dwindle, and data shows that learning outcomes are falling short of what you—and your users—had in mind.

So, what's missing?

Imagine you're producing the world's next groundbreaking opera. You've nailed down an intriguing plot, enlisted a brilliant scriptwriter and lyricist, have a celebrated conductor, and hired set and costume teams that are nothing short of masterful. Every piece is in place for a deeply collaborative, awe-inspiring production.

Except, something's off.

Just like a world-class opera needs a composer to set the tone and unite all elements into a harmonious whole, your EdTech project needs an applied learning scientist.

The applied learning scientist—or learning engineer, if you prefer*—is the cornerstone that's often overlooked. They integrate educational goals, user experience, and content delivery in alignment with how people actually learn, lifting your entire project to a level where it's not only engaging, but truly effective.

Let's dig deeper into the opera analogy. Consider content experts as your scriptwriters and lyricists. They set the narrative and trajectory. Your UI and UX teams? Think of them as your set and costume designers, creating an engaging, authentic experience. Developers are the versatile actors, bringing the vision to life, while teachers, akin to the conductor, manage real-time delivery and engagement.

Now, the missing note—applied learning scientists build on the expertise of the rest of the team, while filling in the gaps. They mitigate the "expert blind spot," helping you design with the learner's needs in mind. They also elevate UI, UX, and user testing methodologies to ensure your solution goes beyond user engagement, and is built for genuine learning. Teachers are wizards in the classroom, but may lack the training and background to create innovative learning environments that are based on the science of learning.

Now that we dove into the analogy, its time to acknowledge one place that the analogy doesn't strictly hold—unlike the composer of an opera, an applied learning scientist can be brought in after after opening night. An applied learning scientist can analyze what has been built, and create a roadmap for revisions that can steadily make your solution more effective, while keeping to the original vision of your EdTech masterpiece. It’s never too late to bring learning sciences into your design!

So, before you toast to your next project milestone, ask yourself: do you have your composer? Integrating an applied learning scientist into your team can help harmonize all your incredible components, ensuring that your educational product doesn't just entertain, but educates— fulfilling its ultimate purpose.

ENDNOTES:

* To those who wonder why I chose “applied learning scientist” instead of learning engineer: Some (but not all) definitions of learning engineer focus on data analytics, predictive modeling, and machine learning for educational improvement. The term "Applied Learning Scientist" is intended to highlight the critical importance of incorporating learning science principles at the initial stages of designing educational environments, while acknowledging that many professionals in the role of Learning Engineer would identify closely with the description of 'composer' outlined here.

** I’d like to thank Jennifer Knudsen, Ken Rafanan, Teresa Lara-Meloy, and Nick Jackiw for discussions years ago on how designing and developing a technology-based learning environment was a lot like writing a musical. Clearly those conversations stuck with me!

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