Learning Experience Design for Advanced Learners

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When it comes to professional learning, not all learners are the same. Some are just getting started, while others already have experience and are looking for more depth. As a result, this presents some challenges as well as opportunities to get our learning plans right for as many people looking to advance their careers as possible. Therefore, we wanted to write a blog to share what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to designing learning plans for Advanced Learners.

We know that many learners within the SS&C Blue Prism Community fall into the advanced learners group. They know the fundamentals and what they need is learning that respects their expertise, challenges their thinking, and connects directly to the problems they're solving in their organizations.

That's why we designed the new set of advanced courses under the Blue Prism Professional Developer Learning Plan around three core modalities: Read, Watch, and Try.

Who Are Advanced Learners?

Before diving into the design, it's important to understand the characteristics that make up advanced learners and what sets them apart to others.

They are typically:

• Experienced: They've already mastered the basics and want deeper insights or specialized knowledge.
• Autonomous: They prefer flexibility and want control over their learning journey.
• Purpose-driven: They are motivated by solving real challenges, improving processes, or innovating with automation.
• Reflective: They think critically about how learning applies to their work.

In short, they aren't looking for prescriptive training. Instead, they want structured options that give them choice, depth, and relevance.;

Moving Beyond “Learning Styles”

Traditional training often groups people into “visual learners,” “auditory learners,” and so on. But research shows this approach is limiting. Advanced learners know that their preferences shift depending on the topic, the complexity, and their goals. For example:

• They might read detailed documentation when analyzing a new automation method.
• They might watch a walkthrough to quickly understand a feature. 
• They might try a hands-on activity to test their knowledge.

Good design doesn't force learners into one path. Instead, it offers flexible modalities that they can choose from at the right moment.

Three Core Modalities

Here's how we use the Read, Watch, Try framework in the Solution Design course that is part of the Blue Prism Professional Developer Learning Plan:

Read

For learners who like to explore the “why” before the “how.” 

• Documentation, best practices, and advanced case studies
• Skimmable and well-structured
• Easy to revisit later for deeper analysis

Watch

For those who learn best by seeing things in action.

• Walkthrough videos
• Focused demos
• Scenario explanations

These are short and digestible - perfect for fitting learning into a busy workday.

Try

For learners who need to apply knowledge to make it stick.

• Scenario-based exercises
• Guided, hands-on practice

Each activity is designed to stretch skills without overwhelming, ensuring progress ties directly to advanced automation goals.

How It Comes Together

The real value lies in how learners can move between modalities. One path through a topic like Handling Sensitive Data in Automation might look like this:

1. Read best practices on sensitive data
2. Watch a demo on using Credential Manager in Blue Prism
3. Try managing Work Queue Items through a guided activity
4. Complete an assessment to validate their understanding

This flexibility ensures every learner finds the right balance of theory, observation, and practice.

Why This Matters

Advanced learners thrive when learning experiences are designed with three principles in mind:

• Choice-driven: They choose whether to Read, Watch, or Try.
• Challenge-oriented: Activities stretch their expertise in meaningful ways.
• Relevance-centered: Every concept connects back to real-world automation practice.

By offering a multi-modal approach, we avoid a one-size-fits-all pathway and instead create a rich, flexible experience that empowers learners to take ownership of their growth.

Final Thoughts

Advanced automation professionals deserve training that matches their expertise. They don't just want content, they want challenges, flexibility, and relevance. The Solution Design course was built with this in mind, giving learners the tools and freedom to deepen their skills while directly applying new knowledge to their automation projects.

Ready to design deeper, smarter, and more flexible automations? Explore the Solution Design course and see these principles in action.