Course Alignment
Outline, Assessments, Activities The course alignment was created using the backwards design process. Identification of my course objectives were determined first. Second, the development of modules with key objectives were established. Third, formative assessment were determined to align with the objectives as a viable manner in which to identify if the key objectives were met. Lastly, identification of essential learning activities, following Horton's Absorb, Do, Connect model, were researched, evaluated and determined to assist in describing the students experiences for the set objectives. This tool offers the following:
The course uses seven modules to build collaboration through a professional learning community and to use that collaborative group to create job aids for units of study. As this course is based upon the concept of continual improvement and the Plan, Do, Study, Act model, all assessments are formative. Discussion posts have been incorporated to build collaborative brainstorming and as a check for understanding. The additional artifacts that are generated as assessments are intended to be used as job aids, in one form or another, that the teacher will use within his/her daily professional responsibilities. |
Purpose: The course overview has facilitated the alignment between objectives, assessments and activities for my professional development training. With alignment present student will be provided learning activities that match my objectives to learn what is intended as well as I will be able to assess what they are learning through consecutive and consistent feedback: Its use in the design process reduces the probability of:
Reflection: Completing this process has expanded my awareness, understanding and appreciation for the need of this important step in course design. Its absence could potential render a course ineffective where limited or no learning is obtained. The most powerful component of this artifact has been the intentional selection of absorb, do, and connect activities. Though I thought that would be a simple endeavor, I was proved incorrect. The delineation of each activity types purposes was important to recognize and inadvertently increased my scrutiny during the selection process to ensure they each reflected the lesson's objectives. |