Instructional Design & Development

Step #6: Create Learning Activities

As mentioned in Classify Content Types, each of the five content types has better ways of teaching the specific content:

• Facts: Facts are basic information. Facts are inefficient to store in memory and are prone to recall errors. Job aids are preferred to memorization of most facts. For facts that MUST be memorized independent of another skill, teach using flash cards and drill-and-practice.
  
  
• Concepts: Teach using discussion, diagrams, classifying games, and verbal explanations. Consider the following learning sequence:
1. Define the concept.
2. Provide examples to illustrate common characteristics.
3. Provide non-examples to further identify characteristics.
4. Use diagrams for concrete concepts; use verbal explanations for abstract concepts.
5. Ask students to classify objects into their category.
6. Provide feedback.
   
   
• Processes: Use case studies, simulations, and work problems. Consider the following learning sequence:
1. Outline the process.
2. Explain why it is important to know this process.
3. Give a common example to illustrate how the process works.
4. Give a problem and ask the class to solve the problem.
5. Ask students to solve a problem or make an inference based on the process.
6. Provide feedback.
   
   
• Procedures: Use activity tables, decision tables, flow charts, and labs. Consider the following learning sequence:
1. List the procedure (document it and provide it as a handout).
2. Demonstrate the procedure highlighting decision points and troublesome areas.
3. OPTIONAL: Ask one student to perform the procedure while the rest of the class observes; provide feedback.
4. Ask students to perform the procedure.
5. Provide feedback.
   
   
• Principles: Use role-plays, simulations, analogies, round-robin exercises, and demonstrations. Consider the following learning sequence:
1. State the principle.
2. Provide varied examples to illustrate the principle being applied.
3. Provide examples where the principle wasn’t applied and the resulting consequences.
4. Provide analogies to build off of prior knowledge.
5. Demonstrate the principle in a scenario.
6. Provide practice exercises/role plays.
7. Provide feedback.
   
   

The bottom line is that there are different ways to teach different types of content. Use a learning sequence that works best for the content.

>	Step #1: Write Objectives
>	Step #2: Develop Assessments
>	Step #3: Analyze the Task
>	Step #4: Identify Prerequisites
>	Step #5: Classify Content Types
>	Step #6: Create Learning Activities
>	Step #7: Outline Instruction Events