I just released a blog post this morn. And, as soon as I saw it in the wild I had a brutal realization. What occurred to me, of course, is that I’m going about it totally wrong! Or, at least, totally contrary to what I advocate. Yes, I had activities, but I focused on the content. Not a bad thing, maybe, as a step, but the first step? Maybe not. So I’m experiencing the benefits of learning ‘out loud’, via making a mistake.
To start, I’ve been designing a workshop. And, it’s taking me a while, as I want it to be thorough, and good. For instance, I deliberately have it spread out, so to ensure spaced learning. I have reflection in it. Further, I’ve made ‘ToDo’s to go back and add in some processing activities. I largely have application activities already put in. That’s what I talked about. In particular, ensuring good coverage. However, once it was posted (this morn as I write, two days ago as you read), I realized something.
The design I was talking about was, sadly, very different from what I’ve advocated for in the past. And, still believe in! That is, starting with what I want learners to be able to do, and working backwards. Focus first on activity, then on the necessary content. Which is very similar to Cathy Moore’s Map It, but with a bit more focus on the rationale, and feedback (my take, YMMV).
What that means is what I should do is create the activities first. Then, I figure out the minimal content. From there, I can dig into processing activities ala Richter (via Thiagi). Along the way, I can review the activities, match it against the content I’ve developed, and see if need more or different. Yes, it’s an iterative process. But, to be true to my beliefs, and science, and learners, and…I have to design the activities first. So, I’ll keep my existing deck, and start afresh on one (or, at least, some representation). It’s better to take that time. And, yes, it’s not like the real world pressures most have to work through, but then I’ve the luxury to try to do the right thing, not the expedient things.
Let’s be clear: the workshop I designed would be really good, possibly great. I think reflecting and focusing on the activities, however, has a high probability of making a definitively great workshop. Those are my reflections, what are. yours?
There may be a followup post about the revised process, but no promises right now.
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