What is a Learning Journey Map, how to create and use this tool

This article will introduce you to the main aspects of the topic. We will cover key points in detail and provide useful information for a thorough understanding of the subject. You will be able to learn how to apply the acquired knowledge in practice and the benefits it can bring you. We will also share tips and recommendations to help you better navigate the subject. Read on to get the latest data and helpful tips.

What is a Learning Journey Map and what are the benefits of this tool;
Why create a Learning Journey Map;
What types of learning journey maps are there;
How to create a Learning Journey Map;
What tools will help you create a Learning Journey Map.

What is a Learning Journey Map?

A Learning Journey Map (LJM), Learner Experience Map (LEM), and Student Journey Map (SJM) are personalized maps that display the educational route from the learner's point of view. These maps take into account the initial level of knowledge, emotions, and needs of the learner, as well as potential barriers to learning and desired outcomes. Creating such maps helps educational institutions better understand and adapt the learning process, improving the student experience and increasing the effectiveness of educational programs.

LJM technology focuses on developing customer journey maps (CJMs), which visually depict the user's journey through all stages of interaction with a product, from the moment a need arises to repeat business. This tool is actively used by marketers and product managers to analyze and optimize the customer experience, which contributes to increased user satisfaction and improved business results.

The main advantages of LJM are its comprehensive approach and intuitive visualization. The map provides the ability to visually display:

the actions a student should take;
the knowledge, skills, and resources a student needs at various stages;
individual preferences (how a person will learn—in the classroom, at work, on the road, or at home);
the career path the student aspires to;
additional training for further development and career advancement.

In addition to the LJM, journey maps are being developed for teachers (Teacher Journey Map), curators (Support Journey Map), and other participants in the educational process. These maps allow the educational program to be visualized from different perspectives, providing a deeper understanding of each participant's experience. Using journey maps improves engagement and enhances the quality of the educational process by identifying key points and areas for optimization.

Why Use a Learning Journey Map?

Creating a Learning Journey Map is aimed at considering the learning process from the student's perspective. This allows for a deeper understanding of student needs, identifying problem areas and factors that can negatively impact their educational experience. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the educational program, which contributes to increased learning and student satisfaction.

The advantage of a learning journey map is that it changes the usual focus of perception. If you previously viewed your course or project from the perspective of the creator, then with the help of the Learning Journey Map you can see it through the eyes of the consumer. This allows you to understand how exactly potential students choose educational products and what factors influence their decisions. This approach provides a deeper understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of the program. You'll be able to identify which tools and technologies are effective and which aren't, which will ultimately help improve the quality of your educational offering and meet student needs.

We develop LJM as we create new courses, as well as when significant changes to existing products occur. For example, this might occur when switching from a synchronous to an asynchronous format.

This tool is also effective for conducting product audits. By providing a comprehensive overview of the entire student journey and integrating learning analytics, survey and interview data, and feedback, we can pinpoint key problem areas and develop a strategy for improvement.

Valentina Pakhomova is the team lead for the Internet Marketing course line at the Bureau of Educational Programs at the Netology educational platform. She has significant experience in internet marketing and educational project management. Valentina actively works on the development and implementation of relevant courses that help students master key skills for a successful career in the digital industry. Under her leadership, the team constantly updates educational materials, taking into account the latest trends and changes in the industry. Thanks to her professionalism and passion, Valentina Pakhomova makes a significant contribution to the development of educational initiatives in the field of internet marketing.

You may notice that potential course buyers are not receiving sufficient information to make a decision. You may also find that an inconveniently organized process is hindering learning. It is important to consider that a failure to meet students' emotional needs or a lack of comfortable conditions for student communication can negatively impact their motivation. This data is crucial for reviewing and improving educational processes and programs.

When creating or optimizing a course, it is important to consider not only customer comfort but also the students' educational goals. Ensuring a balance between ease of use and learning effectiveness promotes deeper learning and increased interest in learning. It's important to develop content that is not only accessible but also facilitates the achievement of learning objectives. Motivation is generated not only through a user-friendly interface and the entertaining elements of interactive webinars, but also through the educational challenges we present to students. This creates a significant distinction between the role of the client, i.e., the user, and that of the student. Effective LJM recognizes this distinction, fostering deeper engagement and skill development in students. Galina Turchak is a Learning Assistant at Skillbox, an experienced andragogue, and the author of the popular Telegram channel "Learning as I Can." Her work focuses on effective adult learning methods, applying modern approaches and technologies. Galina shares her knowledge and experience, helping people develop skills and master new professions. Her channel offers helpful tips, recommendations, and resources for self-education, making it a valuable resource for anyone striving for self-improvement.

Types of Learning Path Maps

Evgeniya Rashchupkina, head of the Skillbox school of methodologists and author of the LX notes Telegram channel, identifies four methods for creating LJMs. These approaches will help you effectively structure and optimize your content, improving engagement with your target audience. Applying these strategies will improve the quality of your materials and make them more engaging for users.

Maps showing the learner's journey through an existing educational product. They reflect the current state of the educational product and help identify how it can be improved. When creating such a map, we usually already have data on real student experiences (obtained through feedback or research), as well as hypotheses that need to be tested in practice. To create this map, it is best to consult with the methodologists who are developing the educational course itself.
Maps showing the ideal learner path to be achieved. Such a map is based on our vision of the future and helps us think through the student experience from scratch if we want to radically change the current curriculum or create a new one.
Maps reflecting the learner experience only within the course. These LJMs show the student's route from course registration to completion. Such a map can describe in detail the learner's behavior, mood, and thoughts at each moment in time, or consist of large blocks and reflect changes from module to module.
Maps showing the student's experiences inside and outside the course. This map allows you to take a broader view: how students choose to study, how their lives are spent outside of the educational space. Creating such a LJM is interesting, but challenging: the larger the scale you take, the more factors appear that cannot be measured and influenced.

The choice of map depends on your goals. If your goal is to improve an existing program, start by creating a LJM of the current state and a map reflecting the desired outcome. Comparing these two maps will allow you to compile a list of items for improvement. If you need to consider a specific aspect of the program in more detail, such as the start of training, it is important to detail this process and include the decision-making stages, as well as the student's experience before the course begins. This allows you to create a flexible tool that adapts to your needs and helps you organize training effectively.

How to create a Learning Journey Map

Five steps to creating an effective LJM. Start by identifying the target audience and their needs. Study user preferences to understand what solutions they need. Next, analyze existing market offerings to identify competitive advantages. After that, create a LJM framework that clearly articulates the value proposition of your product or service. Finally, test and optimize the LJM based on user feedback to achieve maximum effectiveness and meet audience expectations.

It's important to clearly define the problem you want to solve with this tool. For example, you might want to improve the course registration process, increase student satisfaction during the learning process, or increase course completion rates. Make sure your goal is specific and the expected results are objectively measurable. This will allow you to more effectively evaluate the success of the tool's implementation and its impact on the educational process.

Creating a customer journey map (LJM) begins with identifying the key stages of a customer's interaction with your product or service. This step is fundamental, as it lays the foundation for further analysis and optimization of the customer experience. Properly identifying touchpoints allows you to better understand your customers' needs and expectations, which in turn improves their overall satisfaction and loyalty to your brand.

Researching your target audience and creating a student profile are crucial steps in the educational process. Identify key characteristics of your audience, including gender, age, profession, and hobbies. It's also important to consider their needs, goals, and interests. Understanding your target audience's fears and hesitations, as well as identifying potential alternatives and distractions, will help you more effectively tailor your educational process and offer relevant solutions. This knowledge will allow you to adapt your content and teaching methods, making them more engaging and effective for your students.

To effectively assess a potential student's level of educational experience and knowledge, several key factors must be considered. It's crucial to determine whether they have previously completed online training. It's also worth determining how much time they are willing to devote to the learning process. It's equally important to understand which learning format is most comfortable for them: individual lessons, group courses, or independent study. It's also important to determine whether the student has prior knowledge of the subject being studied or is new to it. These aspects will help select the optimal educational program to meet the student's needs and capabilities.

Galina Turchak is a Learning Assistant at Skillbox and an andragogy specialist. Her experience and expertise in adult education make her a valuable resource for students. Galina fosters an effective learning environment, helping people achieve their goals and develop the skills necessary for career success. With her assistance, students receive high-quality education and support throughout their learning process, which contributes to their professional growth and personal development.

Effective audience segmentation is a key element of a successful marketing strategy. It is recommended to develop several personas for each segment to better understand customer needs and preferences. Creating a Journey Map (LJM) for each target group will help visualize user interactions with a product or service. For example, if one segment has significantly more free time than another, this will have a significant impact on their learning process and information comprehension. Therefore, a personalized approach to each segment contributes to more effective customer acquisition and retention.

You can gather the necessary information for curriculum development through various research methods, such as web analytics, questionnaires, and surveys. Engaging with potential learners on social media can also provide valuable insights. If you are developing a corporate training program, be sure to consider the company's employee data. Creating a test version of the course that you can offer to users for completion is also a useful step. The feedback received will help improve the program and make it more effective.

At this stage, it is important to define all the steps the learner will go through—from their first encounter with the program to completion of the training. Experts at eLearning Bottom-Line Performance identify four key stages characteristic of any educational program: preparation, acquisition of knowledge and skills, consolidation and application of acquired knowledge in practice, and long-term learner support. These stages help create a structured approach to learning, ensuring effective assimilation of the material and its integration into the work environment.

Educational path diagram. Source: Bottom-Line Performance

The number of steps and their content may vary depending on the type and objectives of training. Let's consider an example of a student's route through an online course.

Information. A potential student may learn about a course (or even the existence of a certain profession) from an advertisement on social media or a newsletter, find your offer through a search engine, and so on. Then the person studies the available information about the project, looks for reviews, compares your offer with the competition.
Decision-making. The student makes a choice and registers for the course (makes a purchase, if it is a paid one).
Knowledge acquisition. This stage includes all training: what, how and when a person learns, how he or she receives educational materials, who supervises the process and checks homework. If the program is long and extensive, then it may make sense to split this stage into several steps.
Knowledge testing. This includes all tests, exams, quizzes, and coursework, if your project requires it.
Practical Application. During this step, the student puts new knowledge and skills into practice—participating in a real-world project or completing an internship.
Support. A good course doesn't end with the last lesson—let the student continue to have access to video lectures and other learning materials, a platform for communicating with other students, and so on.

Your learning map doesn't have to follow a strict format. You can break the student's journey into different steps, activities, or stages, such as modules or lessons. The level of detail in the LJM can vary: from a large map showing only the main stages of learning to a more detailed one that represents every step the student takes. This allows you to tailor the map to specific needs and preferences, providing flexibility and convenience in learning.

Once you've outlined the student's journey from start to finish, it's important to consider the factors that influence the learning process. These factors can significantly impact the quality and effectiveness of learning, as well as student motivation and engagement. Key aspects include teaching methods, teacher training, the availability of necessary resources and technology, and individual student characteristics. Taking these factors into account will help create a more effective learning environment and ensure successful learning.

Student actions play a key role in the learning process and personal development. Important aspects include active participation in the learning process, completing homework and projects, and interacting with teachers and peers. Students should develop time management skills to effectively balance their time between studying and other activities. Participation in various activities, such as seminars, conferences, and volunteer projects, helps not only deepen knowledge but also broaden horizons. Students should also focus on self-study by exploring additional materials and resources, which contributes to a better understanding of subjects. It is important for students to develop critical thinking and the ability to analyze information, which will form the basis for their successful future careers.

The student must complete several important steps: open the email, click the provided link, start the webinar, and take the quiz. These steps are key to successfully mastering the material and obtaining the necessary knowledge.

Learning is an important process that helps people develop skills and knowledge in various fields. This process can take place in various formats, including traditional classroom instruction, online courses, seminars, and webinars. Learning is not limited to formal education; it also includes self-education, which contributes to personal and professional growth.

In today's world, access to information has become easier thanks to the internet, which opens up new opportunities for learning. Online platforms offer courses on a wide variety of topics, allowing everyone to choose the optimal way to gain knowledge. Effective learning includes not only the assimilation of theoretical knowledge but also the practical application of acquired skills.

Modern technologies also play an important role in learning, enabling the use of interactive methods and resources to increase student engagement. This makes learning more accessible and varied, promoting better learning and the development of critical thinking.

In conclusion, learning is a continuous process that opens doors to new opportunities and helps adapt to a rapidly changing world.

This level reflects the student's cognitive journey, which includes their educational goals, emerging challenges, and changes in thinking and attitudes toward the subject. For example, a student may begin by identifying a learning need at the "Information" stage and then move on to fluency and confident mastery of the subject at the "Application of Knowledge" stage. This process reflects the development of skills and deepening understanding, which is a key aspect of educational activity.

Student emotions, needs, and expectations play a key role in the educational process. Understanding these factors allows educators to create more effective teaching methods and improve interactions with students. Emotions influence motivation and the ability to learn, so it is important to consider them when developing curriculum. Student needs can range from basic needs such as safety and comfort to more complex ones related to self-development and socialization. Expectations, in turn, shape students' perceptions of what they want to get from learning and can significantly influence their activity and engagement. Researching these aspects helps create a more adapted and effective educational environment that promotes the development of each student.

At each stage, it is necessary to answer the following questions:

What does the student need at each step of learning?
What do they expect to get?
What are they thinking? What questions might they have?
What are they feeling? Interest, doubts, fears, inspiration, confusion, boredom?

When searching for answers, it is useful to put yourself in the student's shoes and consider your assumptions. However, the most valuable will be receiving relevant feedback from real users. This will allow you to better understand their needs and tailor your training approach to achieve optimal results.

Touchpoints are key points of contact between a user and a product or service. These touchpoints play a vital role in shaping the overall impression of a brand and its offerings. They can include both online and offline interactions, such as visiting a website, communicating on social media, working with customer support, or visiting a physical store. Optimizing these touchpoints can improve the user experience, enhance customer satisfaction, and ultimately increase conversions. Understanding and analyzing touchpoints helps companies adapt their strategies to better meet target audience expectations and strengthen customer connections.

During the learning process, a person actively uses various technologies, tools, algorithms, and instructions. They encounter a variety of processes and interact with other participants in the learning process. For example, a student may fill out a form on the course website, receive a call from a manager, register on an LMS platform, watch a webinar, and submit homework for review. It is important to analyze each of these factors and assess their impact on the student's educational experience: neutral, positive, or negative. This analysis will help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the learning process, which, in turn, will improve the quality of learning and increase student satisfaction.

Barriers are an important topic in various areas of life, including psychology, business, and the physical environment. They can represent both physical obstacles and emotional or psychological limitations that prevent people from achieving their goals. Understanding barriers and how to overcome them can significantly impact personal development and professional success.

In business, barriers can arise in the form of competition, lack of resources, or limited access to markets. Understanding these factors helps develop effective strategies for overcoming them. In personal life, barriers are often associated with internal fears, insecurities, or negative experiences. Self-improvement and the use of various techniques, such as coaching or psychotherapy, can help overcome these obstacles and achieve desired results.

Physical barriers, such as walls or fences, can limit access to certain places or resources. It is important to consider that such barriers can be both temporary and permanent, and their removal or modification can open up new opportunities for development.

In conclusion, barriers are an integral part of life, and the ability to recognize and overcome them can lead to significant changes and success in various areas.

You have probably already noticed weak spots where the student has lost interest, has not received enough information, or has not received enough time to master a new tool. Now it is important to get to the root of the problem and determine what exactly is causing these difficulties. Perhaps you will need to make changes to some aspects of the teaching, or you may be faced with a systemic error in the educational processes. By analyzing these points, you can improve the quality of your learning and increase the effectiveness of your learning.

The course map is a comprehensive overview of the course, containing multiple layers that overlap. These layers can include various aspects, such as topics, subtopics, assignments, resources, and supplementary materials. Each layer of the map helps deepen your understanding of the course and structure the information, which facilitates more effective learning. Understanding these layers allows learners to more easily navigate the material and focus on key elements.

Theory - at what point what material is given to students.
Practice - what tasks students complete at what point, whether they overlap, what is the students' workload. If individual and group assignments are planned, they can be displayed on different map layers.
Supporting events — for example, competitions to maintain interest and attendance.
Key messages for students — at what stage something needs to be highlighted to convey the essence and importance of what is happening and prevent the student from getting bogged down in the flow of information.
Administrative track — at what step students need to be granted certain access rights, paid for using services, and so on.
Tutor activities — a schedule of support meetings, exercises, and practice.
Potential organizational difficulties and force majeure that can disrupt the course of study.

Valentina Pakhomova holds the position of team lead for the line of internet marketing courses at the Netology Business School. Thanks to her experience and deep knowledge of digital marketing, she oversees the development and implementation of educational programs focused on current trends and market needs. Under her guidance, students receive a high-quality education, which helps them successfully develop careers in online marketing. Valentina actively contributes to the development of courses that incorporate practical assignments and modern methodologies, thereby ensuring a high level of specialist training.

After identifying problems, it is important to develop various strategies for addressing them. Consider the student's perspective to focus on effective solutions. This will not only resolve current difficulties but also improve the overall learning process, ensuring deeper understanding and retention of the material.

Testing ideas for their alignment with goals can be effectively accomplished using a map. Visualize changes and answer key questions: which of the proposed ideas are most relevant, what resources will be required to implement them, and how they relate to your strategic goals. This will help you choose the most promising areas for further work.

What will happen if we do this?
What useful things will we add?
How will this improve the student experience?
What resources will be needed to make changes?

Select the most suitable ideas and begin to implement them. Collect feedback and analyze the results. Your goal is to minimize barriers and create the simplest and most comfortable path for the student, which will lead them to achieving their desired goal.

The map is a breakdown of the entire course, consisting of many layers that overlap one another. Each layer can include various elements, such as topics, materials, assignments, and resources. These layers help structure information and provide a deeper understanding of the course content. It's important to remember that properly organized layers on the map promote effective learning and knowledge acquisition.

Theory — what material is given to students at what point.
Practice — what tasks students complete at what point, whether they overlap, and what the students' workload is. If individual and group assignments are planned, they can be shown on different map layers.
Supporting events — for example, competitions to maintain interest and attendance.
Key messages for students — at what stage something needs to be highlighted to convey the essence and importance of what is happening and prevent the student from getting bogged down in the flow of information.
Administrative track — at what step students need to be given certain access rights, paid for using services, and so on.
Tutor activities — a schedule of support meetings, exercises, and practice.
Potential organizational difficulties and force majeure that may disrupt the course of study.

Valentina Pakhomova is the team lead for the course line at the Internet Marketing Business Unit of Netology. She is responsible for the development and implementation of educational programs aimed at teaching modern internet marketing methods. Valentina combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, allowing her to effectively convey relevant information to students. Under her guidance, courses become more accessible and understandable, and graduates gain the necessary skills for a successful career in internet marketing. Valentina actively participates in updating curricula, taking into account the latest trends and changes in the industry.

What tools will help you create a Learning Journey Map

Creating a Learning Journey Map (LJM) may seem complicated, but in practice, it often begins with a table, which allows you to conveniently organize the data. This format facilitates structured information collection. Once the data is collected, it can be visualized in a diagram. The choice of tools for developing and presenting the map depends on the preferences of your team and ease of use. The right approach to creating an LJM will help you better understand the learning path and identify key points for process improvement.

This is what a simple LJM template with the most important points for assessing a student's experience might look like, made in Google Sheets.

This tool is one of the most accessible for visualizing the learning process. It's easier than using sticky notes on the wall. Arrange the stages of the learner's journey horizontally and create columns for "Actions," "Learning," "Emotions," "Barriers," and other important aspects. The result will be a table that needs to be filled in. An example of a simple LJM template can be found and used by selecting "File" → "Make a copy." This method will allow you to more effectively analyze and optimize the learning process.

Services offering ready-made templates and intuitive interfaces make it easy to create visual materials, even for those without graphic design experience. Free tools like Canvanizer and Conceptboard are ideal for quickly putting together simple LJM models. Miro provides several templates and free collaboration for teams of up to three people. Touchpoint Dashboard is a paid service with advanced features, which has no limit on the number of users in a team and offers a trial period to evaluate the capabilities.

This is what a detailed LJM compiled in Miro might look like. Source: Valentina Pakhomova / Netologiya

If you need to create a detailed visualization of the diagram, and you have designers on your team who can be trusted with this task, we recommend using specialized graphic editors. Programs such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe Illustrator are excellent choices, depending on your preferences and the tools already used in your company. These editors provide high-quality graphics and ease of use, which will help you effectively implement your ideas.

The main value of a learner journey map lies not only in the final table or attractive infographic. It is impossible to predict the experience of each student in advance, even with the most careful approach. The key is the process: creating a learning path helps formulate key questions and open up new horizons in learning. This approach not only deepens understanding but also helps identify individual student needs, which ultimately improves the educational process. Have a great journey in the world of knowledge!