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One of the key ideas behind pre-built courses is that everything is aligned. Learning objectives, activities, and assessments all work together. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for creativity. For instance, something I really appreciate about pre-built courses is the scaffolding. You’re guiding students step-by-step, and with each module or each chunked learning experience, however you structure it, students are building on the knowledge they’ve previously gained.
They’re using the material, accessing prior knowledge, and then applying it to the next learning situation. Even though a pre-built or standardised course has a structured content design, there’s still a lot of flexibility in how you approach delivering that content.
You might have a set of quizzes to assess learning, but perhaps you can think about real-world issues and add an example or an anecdote to make those quizzes feel more relevant. Or even if you can’t adjust the exams—if they’re set as-is with no control on your part—you can still consider how you prepare students for the exam.
Do you have a space where you can share an announcement? Can you add materials to a discussion board? If you’re on-site, is there a prep activity you can do before the exam to get learners’ minds engaged? It’s really about that personalisation and creativity.
These two elements are crucial in keeping the course engaging and ensuring that neither you nor the students feel like you’re just ticking boxes. Instead, you’re invested, and the experience feels meaningful.
As we shift to practical strategies, we’ll explore how these concepts can be applied to enhance your teaching methods and interactions with students in greater depth.
Pre-built courses are founded on several fundamental concepts that guide design, structure, and implementation. These principles work together to create a cohesive learning experience, balancing standardisation with effective pedagogy. Understanding these key concepts can help instructors navigate and optimise pre-built courses more effectively. Let’s explore five crucial elements that help form the backbone of well-designed pre-built curricula:
1. Instructional Design Theories
The ADDIE Model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) is widely used in creating pre-built courses. It emphasises a systematic approach to course design, ensuring that all elements align with learning objectives.
2. Modular Course Structure
Pre-built courses often utilize a modular structure, where content is organised into discrete, self-contained units. This approach allows for easier updates and modifications without overhauling the entire course.
3. Alignment of Learning Objectives, Activities, and Assessments
Effective pre-built courses ensure a strong alignment between stated learning objectives, course activities, and assessment methods. This alignment is crucial for maintaining course coherence and effectiveness.
4. Scaffolding and Sequencing
Well-designed pre-built courses incorporate careful sequencing of content and activities, building on previous knowledge and skills to support student learning progressively.
5. Instructor as Facilitator
In the context of pre-built courses, the instructor’s role often shifts towards that of a facilitator or guide, focusing on supporting student learning rather than delivering content.
By understanding and working with these principles, instructors can maximise the benefits of pre-built courses while maintaining their unique teaching voice and addressing the specific needs of their students. Additionally, educators can better leverage built-in features to enhance student learning. For instance, recognising the cadence of a modular structure allows instructors to easily identify opportunities for customisation or supplementation without disrupting the overall course flow. And, promoting clear and caring-first learning pathways for students can encourage student support and motivation.
Top Tip
Even if you’re working within a pre-built course with fixed assessments and learning objectives, you still have significant opportunities to enhance your students’ learning experience. Your expertise and personal touch remain invaluable. Consider supplementing the material with real-world examples that bring course concepts to life, drawing from current events or your own professional experience. Facilitate meaningful discussions by creating thought-provoking prompts that encourage students to apply course concepts to their own experiences. Additionally, while formal assessments might be predetermined, you can implement informal, low-stakes assessments like quick polls or exit tickets to gauge student understanding and adjust your teaching approach. Remember, your role as a facilitator is crucial in making the course engaging and relevant. By focusing on these areas, you can significantly impact your students’ learning outcomes while working within the course structure.
Discussions
Do any of these five elements stand out as most important, or are the parts just as important as the whole?
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.