What is a Course, Really?

Quick—answer this question: what exactly is a course? Pause for a moment and think. Write your definition down if you can.

Now, take a careful look at your answer. If your definition revolves around content, processes, instructional models, platforms, or delivery methods, you're missing the mark. A course, at its core, isn't about content or technology or even instructional strategies. It's about people.

There's a classic story told by Lou Holtz, the legendary football coach, that beautifully illustrates this point. Holtz talked about how railroads, specifically the Pennsylvania Railroad, misunderstood their purpose. They thought their job was about trains and rails, so they focused on being the best railroad they could be. Had they realized their real purpose was serving PEOPLE and their transportation needs, today we might see Pennsylvania Airlines, Pennsylvania taxis, Pennsylvania electric cars, even Pennsylvania space travel.

But they missed the bigger picture. Don't make their mistake.

We often make the same error in instructional design. We focus excessively on methods, models, platforms, or processes—assuming the essence of a course is in its delivery or content structure. But that's the wrong emphasis. A course, fundamentally, is a deliberately sequenced experience designed explicitly to influence the way human beings think and behave.

Consider this: have you ever taken a course filled with extensive content, beautifully designed modules, and impressive technology, but still felt uninspired or unchanged afterward? That's because learning experiences that truly resonate are rooted in human connection, not in technical perfection.

We frequently neglect the emotional and psychological dimensions of learning. Humans connect with stories, authentic interactions, and experiences that resonate with their lives. Learners remember lessons embedded within meaningful contexts, personalized interactions, and genuine relationships—not just facts, theories, or models.

Review your original definition again. Did you emphasize content and process, or did you put people at the center? If your definition missed the human element, you're not alone—but you are overlooking the most critical component of successful instructional design.

When designing training, shift your focus to the learner experience. Engage with their motivations, fears, aspirations, and realities. Understand the context of their lives and roles. Speak their language. Connect your content to their lived experiences.

Your ultimate goal isn't beautifully structured modules, interactive activities, or seamless tech integrations. Those elements are helpful, but they're only tools. They're not the destination.

The real purpose of any course or training initiative is to meaningfully impact people. You're crafting experiences designed to shape human thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Everything else—content, technology, assessments—is secondary and exists solely to support this central human goal.

Don't repeat the railroad's mistake. Remember, your learners are people, and your ultimate success hinges on your ability to connect with their humanity. Prioritize empathy, relevance, simplicity, and human connection, and you'll create courses that resonate deeply and genuinely change behaviors.