Invisible Learning in Online Systems

This paper looks at the concept of invisible learning in the context of the Oxford University Enabling Mothers to Understand Maternity (E-Mum) project. It argues that users take in messages from an online system’s structure, layout and navigation alongside more direct methods of information uptake such as reading or scanning. If this subliminal absorption is harnessed and exploited by developers, it can be used to encourage learning in overlooked or excluded target user groups. The principle can be developed using other models of information uptake such as gaming and cartoon-reading to encourage learning to take place beyond the ubiquitous textbook paradigm. User groups of materials ranging from online support to e-commerce websites can also benefit from developer awareness of invisible learning principles at the design stage of online systems.