What is the pyramid approach to learning?
E-learning is everywhere, and most people do that, but there are often challenges that are often overlooked. Stay focused, understand the content and remember what you actually learned for a long time can be challenging when learning online. In fact, many learners feel like they have passed a few hours of course and then the information disappears. Additionally, flexibility and freedom are always excellent at learning, but a structured approach is also important. Specifically, I’m trying to explain the pyramid approach and how to apply it to e-learning.
As mentioned earlier, the pyramid approach is all about structure. This is a learning model that helps learners move through three stages of knowledge: basics, understanding, and acquisition. To visualize it like a pyramid, imagine the base first. This focuses on basic knowledge such as facts, terminology, and basic information. Secondly, the middle class is about deeper understanding and skills. Learners connect dots, inform patterns, analyze concepts, and practice what they learn through exercises. The top of the pyramid is knowledge application and acquisition. This is where learners apply their knowledge to solve real problems or to solve complex tasks completely.
The pyramid approach is easy to apply to e-learning, as it is based on educational psychology, particularly Bloom’s taxonomy or scaffolding. All these theories support the idea that learning is most effective when it is constructed over time. Without further ado, let’s explore the pyramid approach little by little and see how e-learning can make it work.
Pyramid Layer
Basic layer: Basic knowledge
The basic layer is to know the basics of the subject, such as definitions, important concepts, and general contexts. This is where learners began asking questions like: What does this term mean? How does this work? Why is this important? The key here is to focus on this layer as long as it is necessary for learners to build a solid foundation.
Middle class: Skills and understanding
The middle layer of a pyramid is the connection of dots. Learners begin to recognize patterns, understand relationships, and explore how ideas connect with each other. This is where deeper learning occurs. Here, learners move through the past they remember and begin to think critically.
Top tier: Applications and Mastery
The top of the pyramid is where learners apply what they have learned. This is where learning comes into play as you use your skills to solve problems, make decisions and complete meaningful tasks. And this is where learning begins to cling to them as they are actively using their knowledge.
Applying a pyramid approach to e-learning
Structural course using pyramids
As an education designer, you know how to build a course. When it comes to designing them with the pyramid approach in mind, it is best to follow each layer. Starting from the basic layer, it incorporates definitions, important terms and even concept overviews. You then move into the middle class and begin building a context where learners can understand and gain confidence. Finally, for the upper tier, add problems, projects, or simulations that learners need to dive into and apply to knowledge. For example, if you are designing a course on base digital marketing, explain terms like SEO, CTR, and more. For the middle, learners will analyze their strategies and check case studies. For the top layer, they can create their own mock campaigns.
Add an interactive tool to each layer
E-Learning can provide many tools that perfectly fit each layer of the pyramid. You need to find them. Because of the basic level of basic knowledge, the goal as an ID is simple. Learners need to understand the basics. The perfect tool is a microlearning video focusing on one topic at a time, flashcards to remember terms, a slideshow of technical terms or complex definitions. For middle class students need to acquire skills and understanding, they need to use a learning group to make decisions, see results, and use discussion boards, discussion boards where ideas can be exchanged, and simulations to try things out in a simulation-safe environment. Finally, in the case of the top tier, I would like the learners to start applying what they have learned. Therefore, you need to do a project that solves real problems, role-play simulations, or issues reviewed by your peers.
Supports layered learning with assessment
When using a pyramid approach in eLearning, assessments must evolve as learners move up the pyramid layers. Complete quick quiz, answer pop-up questions, and play vocabulary games on the base. In the middle, include more applied ratings such as mini-scenarios, exercises, and short essays. At the top, access the actual project, assignment, or group task. At every stage, make sure to include formative assessments that will help learners and instructors to see where they stand before moving on to the next step.
Match your learning goals to each layer
Every step in the pyramid requires a clear purpose. Therefore, it is essential to tailor your learning goals to each layer. For base layers, use words like identification, definition, recognition, lists, etc. For example, “Identify three key elements of effective SEO.” For the middle tier, use verbs such as “Compare SEO strategies on the page with off-page SEO strategies.” Finally, the top layer uses active layers such as Solve, Create, Design, etc. For example, “Create an SEO Campaign.” Learners are more focused and motivated when they know what is expected at each stage. And when instructors create lessons with a focus on clear objectives, the course becomes more intentional and effective.
Encourage active learning
To make the pyramid approach work in eLearning in practice, you need to keep learners active. So, to encourage active learning at all levels, ask questions after the video to explain the concept in your own words, offer choices regarding the assignment, or ask them to track what they have learned. Don’t underestimate the power of peer learning. Encourage group discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration. Everyone has a unique perspective, so it’s worth sharing it with your peers.
Benefits of the pyramid approach in e-learning
Retention improvements
You forget about it, especially when you try to incorporate information that’s too fast, without connecting to something you already know. That’s how our brains work. However, the pyramid approach helps with that. Starting with basic knowledge, learners slowly build their knowledge. After that, when they move to a deeper concept and eventually move into a real application, they will help them reuse that knowledge and remember it for longer.
Improve motivation
One of the biggest struggles in e-learning is to remain engaged. As lessons feel repeatedly, learners tend to skip them. However, the pyramid approach allows for a variety of learning materials and interactive activities that keep things interesting. Furthermore, each layer of the pyramid helps them progress and motivates them to continue learning.
Skill development
When you feel that everything in the course is too far, it is difficult to stay motivated, and that’s why many people give up. Fortunately, the pyramid approach prevents overwhelming. In each layer, learners achieve something and build confidence. By the time they reached the top, they had acquired the necessary skills in a way that felt natural.
Adaptability
The pyramid approach can be adapted to any subject or concept. why? It’s not what you’re learning, so it’s about how you’re learning it. All topics include basic knowledge, deeper skills, and real applications. Therefore, no matter what the learner trains, the learning content can adapt accordingly.
Clear goals
One of the frequently overlooked benefits of the pyramid approach is how useful it can be for course designers and instructors. Building a course with a pyramid model in mind will help you organize your content naturally by learning your goals. This is because each layer has a specific purpose. Once the goals are clear, this reduces confusion and builds trust between learners and IDs.
Conclusion
By building knowledge in stages, from the basics of the concept to the mastery of it, you create more powerful and lasting knowledge. Decomposition of topics, structuring modules and following this progress not only increases engagement, but also makes learning feel natural and rewarding. So why not try it?
