Contents of a learning plan
A suitable set of features to be included in the learning plan is:
- the overall learning goal
- specific learning objectives which contribute to the learning goal
- a deadline for completion of the learning
- a schedule for learning
- any support which the library staff have agreed to provide for the client
- a specification of the responsibilities and involvement of any outside provider
The learning plan is best expressed in SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound) objectives. It need not be a complex piece of documentation. Often it can simply be a checklist.
This plan should be created with and agreed by the client. Usually it will be signed by both the client and a member of library staff.
The use of such a learning plan avoids confusion and can also be motivating to the learner. Where the client is returning to learning after a gap, or has had prior negative learning experiences, it can be helpful to break the learning into "bite sized chunks" and produce a series of shorter learning plans. Thus the client has a positive experience of successfully completing a small amount of learning which engenders a sense of achievement and spurs them on to further efforts.
Let's have a look at an Example of a learning plan ...
