💥✈️ Bad Beats Are Overhead; 💸🪙 Chips, The Cost of Doing Business

Poker Meets Instructional Design

Embracing Uncertainty

In the poker arena, uncertainty reigns supreme. Just as the cards fall unpredictably, so do the outcomes of our instructional design efforts. As an Instructional Designer, I recognize that not every learner journey follows a linear path. Some variables—like learner engagement, external factors, or even cosmic alignment—remain beyond our control. But fear not! We embrace the unknown, armed with informed decisions and a dash of courage.

Outcome vs. Decision Quality

Picture this: You’re at the poker table, eyeing your hand. The flop reveals its secrets, and you’re faced with a choice. Do you chase the flush, hoping for that elusive fifth heart? Or do you fold gracefully, preserving your chips for another round? Here's the parallel: In instructional design, a positive outcome (say, stellar learner performance) doesn’t automatically crown our decision as brilliant. We evaluate our choices against broader objectives—the alignment with learning goals, engagement levels, and content quality. It’s not just about winning the pot; it’s about playing the long game.

Treating Decisions as Bets

Ah, the thrill of a well-placed bet! In poker, each decision—whether to raise, call, or fold—is a calculated risk. Similarly, when crafting an e-learning course, we’re placing bets on instructional strategies. Will gamification enhance engagement? Let’s bet on it. Is concise content the royal flush of comprehension? We’ll wager on clarity. And practice activities? Those are our chips in the middle. We assess risks, anticipate rewards, and play our cards (and slides) strategically.

Learning from Mistakes

Poker players wear their losses like battle scars. Each misstep is a lesson—a chance to adapt, recalibrate, and improve. Instructional design mirrors this resilience. If a module falls short of expectations, we don’t fold our creativity; we iterate. Feedback becomes our secret weapon. It’s not defeat; it’s data. So, let’s analyze those busted bluffs and turn them into winning hands.

Decision Transparency

Imagine revealing your thought process mid-poker hand: “I raised because I sensed weakness in their eyes.” Now transpose that to instructional design. Just as we explain our choices to learners—why we opted for scenario-based learning or chose that snazzy infographic—we do the same at the poker table. Transparency breeds trust. Whether it’s a royal flush or a humble pair of twos, we own it.

Continuous Improvement

Poker tables and design boards share a common trait: they’re never static. We’re perpetual learners, tweaking, refining, and adapting. Just as we study opponents’ tells, we keep an eye on industry trends, emerging tools, and learner preferences. Our playbook evolves. The river card may change, but our commitment to improvement remains unwavering.

So, fellow poker player and Instructional Designer, let’s shuffle the deck, raise the stakes, and create learning experiences that leave our learners feeling like they’ve hit the jackpot.