Course Design Workshop

Schedule1:00pm – 1:30pm: Lunch and Welcome1:30pm – 2:30pm: Course Purpose and Content 2:30pm – 3:00pm: Learning Goals3:15pm – 4:30pm: Instruction4:30pm – 4:45pm: Summary and Evaluation

Workshop GoalsDesign a one-day workshop for local elected officials • Decide what is important and why: motivation and content• Decide what counts: learning goals• Decide how to deliver: instruction

Plan and structure 6 hours of instructional activities

Course Design ContractFor clients / external experts:• Don’t focus on what exists• Don’t assume we already know • Be as concrete as possible• There is no wrong idea• Help us prioritize

For instructors:• Be open• Listen as much possible• Ask for examples and

clarification• Respond to questions• Provide background when

needed

Special Roles• The faculty will give a brief intro about the course.• The facilitator will guide you through a series of exercises.• The recorder will log your discussion.

Introduction to Course __________Spend 10 minutes to learn about the course / get on the same page:• Faculty member provides purpose, learning objectives and

possible content.• Your handout contains a brief course description.

Your ideas will help shape or change the course plan.

Why we need your helpAs an instructor….• It is often hard to go back to beginner’s mind.• It is often difficult to let go of your favorites.• It is not always obvious how learners approach the

topic.We are not in your shoes!

Overview of Workshop ProcessThe course design is organized into 3 sections:1. Course Purpose and Content2. Learning Outcomes3. Instruction

Understanding Context: ExerciseWhat’s on your plate right now?• Duration 5 minutes• Reflect on your current

professional context. • Which problems related to

____________ are on your plate right now?

Understanding Context: ExerciseSwitch plates• Duration 10 minutes• Switch plates with your neighbor.• Are your problems similar or not?• What type of learning experience

and learning contentcould help you solve these problems?

Present selected plates / solutions

Purpose and Content: Questions• Why offer elected officials education and training in ____________?• How will it help them better fulfill their public responsibilities?• What learning and knowledge content should be included?• How should the purpose and content of this course be described?

Reflect individually and discuss as a group (20 min).

Leadership skills in Action: Exercise• Look at the problems local

elected officials have ‘on their plate.’• Describe what leaders will

know and will be able to do after taking this course. • Share / discuss /group• Duration: 30 minutes

Knowledge

Behavior

Attitudes

Skills

Summary: Course Concept Faculty member / recorder take 10 minutes to summarize • Course purpose• Content • Learning goals Here is what I heard; is

that what you said? What else do you want me to know?

Instruction: Exercise• Form 2 groups • Assign specific learning goals /

content areas to group• Groups use Lego bricks and plates

to build course structure• Plan up to 3 hours of instruction

time • Duration 40 minutes

Instruction: Exercise – LEGO

30 minutes

15 minutes

1 hour

Participants

Example

Present results 15 min.

Small Group 45 min.

Lecture 60 min.

Instruction: Exercise

Alternatively / in addition: Use play dough, figures, paper signs and post-its to build your ideas

Example

Summary: Course Schedule• Both groups present their ideas.• Recorder arranges them in a course schedule.• Approx. 20 minutes

Instruction: QuestionsIs there anything else you would like to tell us?• How should this knowledge be organized, presented, taught and

learned?• How can elected officials be engaged in learning?• How can they express, demonstrate, and put into action what they

have learned?

10 minutes group discussion.

Documentation & Feedback• Results / images will be shared• Please provide feedback about course design experience!