Day 9 - Nine Ladies Dancing

Learning Needs Choreography

What do you picture when you imagine nine ladies dancing?

Nine individuals moving independently, each doing their own thing?
Or a group moving together, in rhythm, with intention?

Now picture nine learners.

Each learner brings their own experience, perspective, and pace. But without structure, learning quickly becomes scattered. That’s where choreography matters.

Yes, learning should be enjoyable. Fun increases dopamine, focus, and memory. But fun without structure is just noise. The real magic happens when learners are in motion with purpose.

Day 9 of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways features Learning Needs Choreography, a reflective learning tool created by Sherry Prindle, Gamification Master Craftsman. Inspired by ritual, rhythm, and flow, this gift reminds us that learning is not just about content, it’s about context.

Choreography is the process of preparing learners, creating safety, pacing the experience, and supporting movement through each phase of learning. When this structure is intentional, learners feel confident enough to explore, try, and contribute their own style.

PLAYSTATE provides that choreography:

▢ Prepare learners by connecting the topic to something that matters. No buy-in, no learning.

▢ Lean in by creating safety and inviting curiosity.

▢ Acknowledge what might be distracting or derailing participants. Ignoring resistance doesn’t make it disappear.

▢ Yield some control. Let learners think, share, and create. Even a small win builds momentum.

▢ Suspend assumptions with challenges, puzzles, or reframing.

▢ Teach in layers that build confidence instead of overwhelm.

▢ Apply learning through practice, debriefs, and reflection.

▢ Translate insights into real-world contexts.

▢ Extend the experience with takeaways or challenges beyond the session.

The Nine Ladies Dancing come to life here as coordinated movement. Each step matters. When steps are skipped or rushed, learning feels disjointed. When the choreography is clear, the experience flows.

This reflection invites you to pause and ask a different question.
Not “What will I teach?” but “What kind of learning experience am I choreographing?”

Learning sticks best when there’s rhythm, movement, and just enough structure to make people feel safe enough to improvise, explore, and grow.

Access the Day 9 Learning Gift: https://www.sententiagamification.com/12-days-of-gifts-day-9-learning-needs-choreography