We'd like to share one of the projects we're especially proud of one that showcases some creative and effective approaches to instructional design and production. It's... "the one with the talking cat!" You can view it using this link, courtesy of the Québec Treasury Board Secretariat.

This example illustrates how the power of imagination can be used to raise awareness of complex and sensitive topics such as diversity and inclusion.

Yes, but pets aren't allowed in our offices. So, your cat...

First, a bit of context to help explain why the cat made such an impression. Our mandate was to develop a training program that would take an effective approach to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

We chose to develop a short learning module in which most of the dialogue takes place between Camille and her cat, Scruple. Much like Jiminy Cricket, Scruple represents the main character's conscience. This feline companion gives voice to Camille's inner thoughts while also providing insight and clarification throughout her experiences. The playful rapport between these two characters adds a touch of humor that allows a potentially sensitive topic to be explored with both tact and nuance.

A talking animal isn't exactly a new idea!

It's true that using a talking animal as a storytelling device is nothing new. It has been widely used in both classic and contemporary literature, film, and animation. In workplace learning, however, it is far less common. In the context of this project, having an imaginary character deliver the message created a degree of distance from the learners' real work environment, making it easier to approach a sensitive topic in a way that felt both engaging and non-threatening.

In workplace learning, there is often a tendency to place the action in a realistic setting that closely mirrors the learners' work environment and in many cases, that is entirely appropriate. However, this is not an absolute rule. It is a misconception to believe that training must always reflect the learners' reality. Rather, we believe that what truly matters is that learners understand the relevance and value of the topic within their own reality.

To come back to the title of this article "Using Imagination as a Learning Tool" creativity and a certain distance from the real-world context can unlock powerful elements of the learning process. Using memorable characters or striking visual and metaphorical settings helps learners retain information because these elements are unexpected, distinctive, and emotionally engaging. Let's put that idea to the test. How many of these characters can you recognize? Darth Vader, Betty Boop, the Smurfs, Harry Potter, Garfield, and Lester Burnham?

You probably recognized almost all of them except perhaps Lester Burnham. He is the main character in the 1999 film American Beauty, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. If you're wondering why so few people remember him, it's because he is intentionally portrayed as an ordinary man: no distinctive physical features, a typical office job, and no particularly memorable characteristics.

By contrast, you almost certainly recognize all the other characters because they have transcended their original medium to become icons of popular culture.

Dare to Capture the Imagination

It's certainly not necessary to create an epic adventure for every training program. However, many learning experiences could benefit from a touch of imagination and a cast of memorable characters.

And ask yourself this: if you already spend your entire day working in front of a computer, do you really want your training to show you the exact same reality you've been living all day?

In short, there's nothing wrong with venturing into a different world from time to time!