Instructional Design

Instructional Design
Support learners with best-in-class instructional design

Leverage a suite of tools and resources designed for continuous learning and development.

A woman in a black coat speaks in a video titled "Connecting with Others" on a webpage. The page includes sections for reflection, notes, and lesson details.
From learner guides and discussions to self-directed courses, our tools foster collaborationdeep thinking, and daily social learning.
Engagement is in our DNA

At Big Think+, we’re filmmakers by trade and educators at heart. Our mission is to move learners efficiently from theory to practice by blending the power of narrative storytelling with cutting-edge instructional design.

Our expert team of video producers and instructional designers dedicate themselves every day to distilling complex insights into digestible takeaways, enabling learners to immediately apply their knowledge.

How are we different from other providers? It’s all in our approach. We transform unscripted interviews with leading authors, professors, and executives into intimate, conversational micro-lessons. Imagine learning career-shaping leadership skills from a friend over coffee – but your friend is Simon Sinek or Amy Edmondson.

Then we pair these insights with a full suite of learning tools, empowering learners not only to understand, but to apply the learnings in the real world.

Collage of six images with text: "Mind," "Born and Made," "The Anxiety Advantage," "The Skeptic Mindset," "Do Fewer Things," and a photo of a person in the bottom right corner.
Hero videos captivate learners’ attention and act as learning hooks.
Hook learners with compelling stories from world-renowned thinkers

Our primary learning hook is the ‘Hero Video,’ an energizing, filmic introduction to a structured learning experience. Using best practices we’ve learned from running one of the world’s largest Youtube channels, we craft these videos to intrigue, inspire, and invite the learner to keep going.

Activate learning with design
that motivates

From our robust, direct-to-learner in-video design, to our strategic placement of learning objectives, scaffolding, and pre- and post-learning prompts, we consistently push learners toward active engagement in their digital learning experience.

This is because we know that learners in an active posture take ownership of their learning as they prepare to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. By building in interactivity at every level of the experience, we encourage learners to deepen their self-knowledge and critical thinking skills, reflecting on their progress as they go.

A person sitting and speaking in a blue and black outfit, with text overlay about a discussion titled "How to Find a Third Way Through to Reconciliation.
An immersive video player and simple, clean video experience helps focus the attention of busy learners.
A website interface showing a reflection prompt asking when the viewer last compromised with someone and how they felt about the resolution. There is a text box for input.
In-platform reflection and practice prompts help learners apply expert insights to their role.
A webpage section titled "Notes" with a text box for private notes and a 'Save' button.
Learners can capture key insights in real time, enhancing their retention, engagement, and active learning.
Screenshot of a web page showing an article with tabs labeled Summary, Transcript, Resources, and Conversation. The Transcript tab is highlighted, displaying a paragraph about compromise and reconciliation.
On-screen transcripts allow learners to follow along, improves comprehension, and supports accessibility for diverse learning needs.
Immerse learners in relevant,
actionable content

The atomic unit of every Big Think+ experience is the microlesson. Our instructional videos are designed to efficiently distill complex ideas while keeping the learner immersed in a journey of deep learning.

To maintain engagement, our producers adhere to principles of adult learning theory, ensuring that every lesson is credible, empowering, and immediately useful. We ask questions such as:

Significance: Why does this idea hold importance in the world today?

Relevance: How does this idea connect to the learner’s role and goals?

Actionability: How can learners apply this idea in their life and work?

Then, in our editing process, we optimize every lesson to minimize cognitive load and maximize active consumption.

Apply knowledge through
real-world practice

At Big Think+, we know that learning in isolation can only take you so far. That’s why our focus isn’t just on what happens on the platform, but on driving real-world practice and collaboration off the platform.

Each Big Think+ lesson is accompanied by an action-oriented learner guide — a printable worksheet that prompts the learner to reflect on the expert’s teachings and apply them to their next meeting or project. From guided missions to conversation scripts, these guides are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that online learning leads to tangible outcomes in the real world.

Our most immersive experiences include pre- and post-assessments that prompt learners to do two things: reflect on their progress toward a learning objective and gauge their likelihood of using what they’ve learned in their work and life.

Two overlapping cards with text. Top card titled "Invest in a Relationship," bottom card titled "Chunk Up Your Day." Includes space for questions and step-by-step instructions.
Connect learners through
social learning

The promise of “personalized learning” from many large LXPs has fallen short — learners are burning out from too much passive, isolated consumption. At Big Think+, we’re breaking that cycle by fostering a learning culture that’s active, communal, and applied.

Whether it’s connecting with colleagues, participating in moderated discussions, or practicing new skills together, our approach ensures that learning translates into action and collective growth.

Expert classes are supported by discussion guides that workshop facilitators from your organization can use to structure live conversations around an expert’s teachings. And all guides are differentiated by role – individual contributor, team manager, and senior leader – to ensure that learners discuss the content at the proper altitude.

Two comments discussing strategies for overcoming feelings of being stuck and frustration, highlighting the benefits of reflection and acceptance.

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