ABC Learning Design: activate Acquisition, Discussion & Practice with Wooclap

Designing an effective learning experience is not about adding more activities, it is about choosing the right one at the right moment. Developed in 2014 by Clive Young and Nataša Perović at UCL (University College London), the ABC Learning Design framework was created to help educators rapidly storyboard course sequences and plan meaningful learning interactions. It offers a simple, visual way to organise a session around six types of learning activities (Acquisition, Discussion, Practice, Investigation, Collaboration, and Production) and build a clear, intentional learning flow.

Educators interested in exploring the full methodology, downloadable templates, and training materials can visit the official ABC Learning Design site for additional resources and examples.

At Wooclap, we work with learning technologists, instructional designers, and faculty who use ABC every day. One insight always comes up: once educators understand why each activity type exists inside a learning sequence, they unlock new ways to engage their learners.

This article is the first part of a two-part series translating the ABC categories into practical, ready-to-use Wooclap examples supported by downloadable slide cards.

In Part 1, we explore three learning types at the heart of most lessons:

Acquisition

What this learning activity is?

Acquisition refers to moments when learners receive new information: listening to a lecture, reading a text, watching a demonstration, or exploring multimedia resources. It is the first cognitive step in a learning sequence, where exposure creates the mental models that later activities will deepen.

Why this learning activity matters?

Acquisition builds the initial representation learners need before they can analyse, practise, or discuss ideas. Research in cognitive psychology shows that:

• learners benefit from clear, structured input (Mayer, 2009; Sweller, 1988);
• attention is strengthened when it is guided or checked (Mayer & Moreno, 2003);
• brief moments of retrieval immediately after exposure significantly improve retention(Roediger & Karpicke, 2006).

How Wooclap supports meaningful Acquisition?

Acquisition doesn’t need to be passive. Wooclap helps transform it into an active comprehension moment by embedding short, targeted questions that guide attention and reveal misconceptions early.

Discussion

What this learning activity is?

Discussion happens when learners exchange ideas, challenge one another, interpret information, and build shared meaning. It includes debates, peer questions, reflections, and reactions to case studies.

Why this learning activity matters?

Discussion deepens understanding because it requires learners to:

• Articulate their thinking (Chi, 2009),
• confront alternative viewpoints (Vygotsky, 1978; Mercer & Littleton, 2007),
• revise or expand their mental model (Resnick, Asterhan & Clarke, 2015),
• make connections to real-world contexts (Chi, 2009).

It supports both cognitive depth and social presence, two major drivers of engagement (Garrison, Anderson & Archer, 2000).

How Wooclap supports high-value Discussion?

Wooclap gives structure and momentum to discussions, helping surface diverse voices while keeping the conversation focused.

Examples include:

• Brainstorming to collect viewpoints before a debate,
• Open Question to prompt justification and interpretation,
• Message Wall to anchor the discussion visually,
• Ranking to identify the strongest ideas in the room.

Practice

What this learning activity is?

Practice refers to activities where learners apply what they have learned: solving problems, analysing data, performing procedures, or transferring knowledge to new contexts.

Why this learning activity matters?

Practice is where learning becomes usable. Research shows that:

• immediate feedback boosts accuracy and confidence,
• varied practice supports transfer,
• repetition strengthens long-term retention.

How Wooclap supports effective Practice?

Wooclap helps educators design practice cycles that are interactive, efficient, and meaningful.

Examples include:

• Fill-in-the-Blank to reinforce essential ideas,
• Matching or Sorting to test conceptual relationships,
• Numeric or MCQ with explanations for problem-solving,
• Image-based activities (Label, Drag-and-Drop) for procedural skills.

These three learning types: Acquisition, Discussion, and Practice shape the core dynamic of most lessons: exposing learners to ideas, helping them interpret them, and giving them opportunities to apply them. When connected to simple, intentional interactions, they transform the experience from passive to purposeful.

The goal of this series is not to add more tools. It is to help educators design with intention, using Wooclap as a flexible companion inside robust frameworks like ABC Learning Design.

In Part 2, we will explore the remaining ABC categories Investigation, Collaboration, and Production, whilst also their downloadable cards.