Backwards Design Expanded: The Online Learning Minute

 

I mentioned last episode that businesses have defined goals and deliverable that need to be addressed and backwards design can help in achieving those goals. Where backwards design fits in is in the order of how the courses are created.

When a business says they want to increase profitability in the sales department, for example, we’d determine the KPIs and assessments first, and then teach to those items. After developing the assessments and curriculum, we’d then examine how much if any improvement was made and make improvements to the content and assessments.

Backwards design isn’t necessarily a complete replacement for current methodologies, just rather focusing the design process to teach for the test. Some people believe that learning should be just for self-improvement, and backwards design leads to just teaching for the test. But when your business has a specific set of skills that need to be learned, backwards design can help to achieve those goals and keep the development focused.

That was your Online Learning Minute at Marketscale. Tune in next episode where we talk about preventing poor online education videos.

For the latest thought leadership, careers, news, and event coverage across B2B, be sure to check out our industry pages.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

promoted
How to Succeed After Getting Promoted: Seeking Feedback, Acting with Intention, and Leading with Perspective
April 16, 2026

Stepping into a leadership role today isn’t just a step up—it’s a shift into constant visibility, where expectations arrive immediately and the margin for error narrows. As organizations flatten structures and demand faster decisions, newly promoted leaders are expected to deliver impact from the outset, often without the space to fully adjust. According to…

Read More
AI in business
A Practical Conversation About AI in Business: From Hype to Real-World Impact
April 15, 2026

Artificial intelligence has moved from buzzword to boardroom priority at a staggering pace. Yet despite widespread adoption, many organizations are still struggling to turn experimentation into measurable business value—some estimates suggest the majority of enterprise AI initiatives fail to scale successfully. As AI becomes “table stakes” across industries, the real challenge is no longer…

Read More
weekly drive-in
Metropolis: Weekly Drive-in
April 15, 2026

Metropolis “Weekly Drive In” reflects a new era of storytelling where AI meets real-world execution, turning everyday field performance into momentum. Centered on genuine conversions and local wins, the series highlights how the company is scaling not just through technology, but through visibility and shared recognition. In an emerging recognition economy, these updates act…

Read More
Drive In, Drive Out: The Rhythm of Metropolis
April 15, 2026

Behind the seemingly mundane choreography of a drive-in lies a broader story about how modern cities script behavior, turning even the simplest actions into rehearsed routines. What looks like repetition is really a quiet testament to systems designed for flow and control, where efficiency often outweighs individuality. In places like Metropolis, the rhythm of…

Read More