While the following 4 keys will be most useful to students in the Lamar University Masters of Digital Learning and Leading (DLL) but the following 4 keys will help anyone who is looking to use Finks Taxonomy to create a 3 column table to plan their course design:
Start with Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). The BHAG will help you to envision who your learners will become at how their lives will be enhanced. The BHAG should focus more on who the students will be or become as a result of the course and not just focus on what they will be able to do.
Only use Finks Taxonomy and the provided tools (worksheets available through course BB site) and three column table and resist the urge to fall back on other methods like Understanding by Design (UbD).
Start with the outcomes and create one outcome for each of the six sections in Fink’s taxonomy. Use the SWBAT post and method for writing the outcomes.
Are you looking at the bigger picture or have you intellectually stepped far enough back to see the full learning environment? Consider the following video as you think about whether or not you are looking a the full picture:
If the youtube video wasn’t enough to help you consider the bigger picture and the importance of learning environments then consider this infographic:
The reason that it is so important for us as educators to look at the full learning environment is that when we take the time to do so we can actually make a difference in the way that the learning environment is designed. I have argued repeatedly for many years that whether we are purposeful in its design or we just allow the circumstances to dictate its development, educators at all levels are providing some form of learning environment. There are some aspects of the learning environment design that we may not have control over like standardized testing or learners demographics but there are so many other aspects of the the learning environment that we an control. So rather than allow the environment to come together on its own and respond reactively to the learning dynamics that arise I suggest that educators become proactive and create significant learning environments. If we start with a student centred approach and purposefully assemble all the key components of effective learning into a significant learning environment we can help our students to learn how to learn and grow into the people we all hope they will become.
Are you being proactive or reactive in the deign of your learning environment? What type of a learning environment are you creating?
More thoughts on Creating Significant Learning Environments
We are all compelled by a good story and when we wish to communicate with our friends, colleagues, or those we just want to influence the best way to do that is with a well crafted story. Nancy Duarte argues that an idea is the single most powerful idea and everything we see around us started as an idea in someone’s mind and that they communicated it in a way that became reality. She also warns us that leaders must communicate ideas in a way that compels action or the idea will die.
So how do we communicate in a way that make our ideas come alive?
Whenever I explore an idea or pursue and answer to this type of question I will watch countless youtube videos and read as many books as I can find on the topic and then try to narrow down my search to the best resources that I can use. The following are some of the best videos and books that will help you craft your message in a compelling way and make your ideas come alive:
Nancy Duarte is one of the leaders in visual communications and the following videos and books are your best starting point:
Nancy Duarte: How to Tell a Story
Nancy Duarte: How to Create Better Visual Presentations
Duarte Design’s Five Rules for Presentations by Nancy Duarte
Can creating a compelling message be as simple as following these 5 rules? YES!
Treat your audience as king
Spread your ideas and move people
Help them see what you are saying
Practice design not decoration
Cultivate healthy relationships
Nancy Duartes’s book Resonate is one of the best resources you can find to help you create compelling stories and I have a well worn copy in my library. You an also view the book online at http://resonate.duarte.com/#!page0
Nancy’s TED talk TEDxEast – Nancy Duarte uncovers common structure of greatest is another great summary of the ideas presented in the book Resonate:
Just confirm that I have looked at more then just Duarte’s work you can also find the following resources useful:
