It may seem surprising, but the number three plays a significant role in curriculum design in both theory and practice. There are seven triads. Part One looks at two of them: needs assessment and trainer decisions. This Tip, Part Two, looks at the desired level of learning and learning objectives. Part Three considers learning activity selection, learner practice, and hands on learning activities.
Desired Level of Learning
It is essential to clearly identify the desired level of learning and mastery the participants should attain. Although Bloom’s Taxonomy of Behavioral Objectives includes six progressive building blocks of knowledge, achieving the first three levels will convert a training session from trainer-focused to learner-focused:
- Level 1 is knowledge, where the instructor imparts information to the learners that spurs them to remember.
- Level 2 is comprehension, where the learners both know and demonstrate their understanding of what has been taught.
- Level 3 is application, where the learners know, understand and practice using what they have learned.
If the training goal is to build or strengthen specific skills, application must be the minimum desired learning level.
Learning Objectives
Learning objectives explain in specific, observable and measurable terms what the learner will do to (a) learn specific skills and (b) demonstrate that they have learned them. When we streamline the task analysis process by using a key content template, we make it easier to create learning objectives. This process has three phases:
- Identify the key content.
- Determine the appropriate level of learning for each learner action in the key content template.
- Add a learning-level appropriate verb to each learner action identified in the key content template.
Curriculum design that follows the principles stated in these sets of three will result in a training program that will effectively achieve the desired learning.
Call to Action: If you’re interested in more information about the key content template, please indicate that below in the comments section.
May your learning be sweet.
Deborah
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