How would you teach Sheldon Cooper and Hervey Specter? Quite differently to start with. 

The success of learning programs hinges heavily on accurately aligning it with the learner. Some might prefer video-based content, others may not have the hours to invest, and so that tale goes.

A learner persona helps you group together common traits in a set and see distinct differences among people to effectively design training and development programs at work. It is a fictional character who brings together your learners’ usual attitudes, behaviors, and habits. With that in mind, you can tailor learning programs and methods to these preferences and empathize with the participants practically.

Learner personas are quite helpful in ensuring that learning is a hit among your people with great design decisions and adaptations. We do this by focusing on three key questions:

• What do the learners want?
• Why do the learners want it?
• Why are they unable to reach it?

We have put together Risely’s free learner persona template to help you get answers in a simple and straightforward format that offers a comprehensive view including demographics, professional outlook, and a special focus on learning preferences at work.

Are you ready to make a difference? Start by downloading the free learner persona template today.

But before you get started, a word of caution.

Learner personas are a hit among the L&D professionals. Yet, they are also prone to misuse and unintended damage. It happens when we hyper-focus on fictional people and ignore the real ones right before us.

While you are building learner personas, refer to the checklist in the template to ensure that you are not giving in to biases and stereotypes. Learner personas are research-based tools for effective learning and development practices that describe rather than prescribe what your people are like.

Happy training!