Totally open tasks give learners freedom, but also shift all responsibility for structure onto them. Too much structure kills creativity, too little increases anxiety. The sweet spot is structured choice.

• Learners may feel trapped by ambiguity

• Some may feel boxed in by too much direction

• Others become confused about priorities

What happens when this isn’t addressed?

Effective strategies include:

• Offering optional prompts instead of mandatory steps

• Breaking tasks into small stages

• Allowing learners to choose how they respond

This approach avoids over-scaffolding while still supporting learners who need guidance to begin.

Primary research suggested that learners prefer some structure, especially at the beginning, but still want creative freedom.

• Instead of “Design a visual narrative based on your text,” Try “Choose one of these three starting prompts and design a 3-panel sequence. You can adjust pacing, framing, or symbols as you like.”

• Provide frameworks like:

  • “First pick a principle (e.g., colour, movement, scale)”

  • “Then choose one narrative moment”

  • “Then sketch three panels”

This keeps structure at entry points while leaving creative decisions in learner control.

What it looks like in practice?

• Reduces choice overload

• Encourages confidence and momentum

• Supports personalisation and diverse approaches

What are the benefits?