Transdisciplinary Learning Experience Design: Futures, Synergies, and Innovation

This book is explores the evolving field of Learning Experience Design (LXD). It provides a multifaceted view of LXD, incorporating perspectives from instructional design, educational technology, and beyond, reflecting the transdisciplinary nature of this design approach. This edited volume responds to the growing recognition of LXD as a distinct area of study and practice within instructional design, especially in the context of rapid technological advancements and changing educational landscapes.

The subject of this work is Learning Experience Design, a field integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and techniques to create effective, enjoyable, and meaningful learning experiences. The book delves into participatory and co-design, innovative LXD methods, learning-focused usability research, and theoretical and conceptual advancements in LXD. It features design cases that provide real-world insights and applications, making the content rich and relatable for researchers and practitioners alike.

Readers will find the sections on participatory design, innovative methodologies, and the transdisciplinary synergies of particular interest. These areas represent areas of LXD that are in need of further investigation, so as to better illuminate how learning experiences can be conceptualized, implemented, and evaluated. The edited volume’s inclusion of learning-focused usability research offers readers further insights into how learners interact with designed learning experiences, highlighting how insights from such studies can lead to ongoing improvements and foster considerations for future designs.

The main benefit readers will derive from this work is a deep, nuanced understanding of current and emerging trends in LXD. Practitioners will gain a wealth of practical strategies and insights to apply in their own work; scholars and students will discover a rich source of theoretical and empirical knowledge to advance both research and practice. The book serves as a catalyst for innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, inspiring readers to explore new territories in the learning experience design.

This book offers a comprehensive, insightful, and forward-looking exploration of the field. It will complement the growing corpus of LXD literature, providing both breadth and depth on this dynamic and influential approach to learning design.

Yvonne Earnshaw, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University in the School of Instructional Technology and Innovation, which is situated within the Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University. She also has over 20 years of practitioner experience in technical writing, instructional design, and user experience. Her research interests are in learning experience design, the structures of online teaching and learning, and practitioner preparation.

Matthew Schmidt, Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) in the Learning, Design, and Technology department. His primary research interest includes design and development of innovative educational courseware and computer software with a particular focus on individuals with disabilities, their families, and their providers. His secondary research interests include learning in extended reality (inclusive of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality) and Learning Experience Design.

Marisa Exter, Ph.D., has 15 years of experience in software design, development, and project management, and BS and MS in Computer Science, along with a PhD in Instructional Systems Technology. Her research interests focus on formal and non-formal educational experiences professionals who use design processes to create technology (such as Instructional Design, Computing, and Engineering/Technology), with an aim to improving undergraduate education, especially through competency-based education and interdisciplinary programs and learning experiences. Marisa is a board member for the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction and co-coordinator of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Summer Research Symposium. She is currently the Purdue PI for a multi-institutional grant related to developing a model for computing competencies.

Andrew A. Tawfk, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Instructional Design & Technology at the University of Memphis, where he also serves as the director for the Instructional Design & Technology Studio. His research interests include inquiry-based learning, case-based reasoning, and computer-supported collaborative learning. Additional interests include learning experience design and human-computer interaction.

Brad Hokanson, Ph.D., is a professor in Graphic Design at the University of Minnesota where he recently served as the Director of Graduate Studies for Design. He has a diverse academic record, including degrees in art, architecture, urban design, and received his Ph.D. in Instructional Technology. He teaches in the area of creative problem solving and has published research in the fields of creativity and educational technology. His most recent book on the development of creativity is Developing Creative Thinking in Learners. He won his colleges' awards for outstanding teaching in 2002 and 2008. He served as President of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology in 2017. He has led the Summer Research Symposium since 2012 and has served as lead editor of the books for the previous seven volumes of the series published by Springer.