Tag: teaching and learning

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Backwards Planning is like Planning a Road Trip

In curriculum design, backwards planning starts by determining what skills and concepts students need to master and how learners will demonstrate mastery. In many ways, backwards planning is the same process as planning a road trip.

When planning a road trip, the first step is to plan the final destination. Will you visit a beach, a theme park, a cruise or a large city? Similarly, start by planning your learning destination. Will your students be able to analyze a text for use of rhetorical devices? Will your students be able to how to find a mead, mode and median?

The next step in planning road trip is planning the route. Will you fly, drive, or take a train? On which airline will you fly? Where will you stop overnight if you drive? As you plan your learning route, determine what exercises and lessons students need to arrive at the ability to master the final learning destination. Do students need to see examples of rhetorical devices before reading the text? Do students need to first practice using the definitions of mead, mode and median?

If backwards planning feels like an overwhelming process, break it down the same way you would when planning a road trip. First determine your ultimate destination and then determine how you will arrive there.

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Writing Learning Objectives: Measurable Outcomes

Learning objectives are the road map to help instructors and educators engage in learning experiences that result in mastery of content. Writing learning objectives can be challenging and feel overwhelming at times. However, by utilizing quantifiable verbs, it is possible to increase the effectiveness of learning objectives and turn objectives into a powerful learning tool.

What is an effective learning objective?

An effective learning objective states a measurable outcome that a learner should be able to achieve as a result of the learning experience.

How is an objective measurable?

Start by utilizing verbs that can be quantified, seen, demonstrated or proven. Verbs such as summarize, analyze, create, or evaluate indicate learning outcomes that have a tangible demonstration of learning. It is evident if a student is able to analyze a text or summarize an article.

Verbs such as feel, believe, or appreciate are harder to objectively measure It is difficult to assess what a student truly feels or believes. A student may write a paper on how they feel about a text, but the paper is a tangible demonstration of an intangible outcome.

Examples of quantifiable and measurable learning outcomes:
Analyze the article to determine the credibility of the author’s arguments. .

Create a short story that utilizes first person point of view.

Explain the process for calculating the mean, mode and median.

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Categories of Online Education

Online education uses a variety of terms to describe the parts of an online course and the operations of online learning. Below are common terms used:

Virtual Course: When a course is considered to be “virtual”, often the courses are taught synchronously via Zoom or another video conferencing tool.

Blended: Courses that are blended are taught partly face-to-face or synchronously and partly asynchronously by using a learning management system.

Asynchronous Online: Courses that are asynchronous online, students complete work on their own time while following a schedule. The course work and materials are presented by using a learning management system.

Learning Management System: Programs such as Blackboard or Canvas, are designed as a place to create online courses. Students and instructors access all the course materials, submit assignment, communicate with classmates and record grades.

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Three Best Practices: Online Education

The start of school is just around the corner for many students. Education and classrooms may look different this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online education is a viable option for quality learning experiences. Below is a list of three best practices for those who are teaching online this year:

  1. Engagement: Create opportunities for collaboration. Utilize discussion boards, group work and learning technology that allows for students to interact with peers.
  2. Communication: Provide clear expectations and instructions to reduce confusion. Reach out to individual students to check for understanding, clarify misconceptions and provide feedback.
  3. Instructor Presence: Connect with students by posting a welcome video, giving timely feedback and hosting virtual office hours.

What best practices do you use in your online classroom? Join the conversation by leaving a comment.