Using Open-Ended Questions in Student-Centered Learning

“How was your weekend?” The teacher writes the morning’s writing prompt on the board, hoping to hear all about the students’ experiences and adventures over the last two days. Sadly, the only responses she receives are “Fine” and “Okay.” What went wrong? The...

Advantages and Disadvantages of Competency Based Education in K-12

What Is Competency-Based Education? Competency-based education, also known as CBE or mastery-based education, focuses on content understanding rather than passage of time. Though commonly linked to higher education programs, many states are expanding the practice at...

Curriculum Development Using Effective Goals and Objectives

When developing quality curriculum, clearly articulated goals and objectives are the key to success. Understanding what students should learn each school year and course allows curriculum designers to plan effectively for day-to-day learning as well as for long-term...

Major Steps in the Curriculum Development Process

Quality curriculum development means combining educational standards, subject matter expertise, and instructional design into a cohesive flow that is appropriate for the target learner. There are four broad steps to the curriculum development process. These steps...

5 Questions To Ask An Instructional Designer

Introduction: Why Do You Need an Instructional Designer? When looking at project costs, one can wonder if an instructional designer (ID) is needed. But before deciding against hiring a professional learning designer, consider the benefits. First, IDs are subject...

5 Great Places to Find a Subject Matter Expert

It’s 4:38 on Friday afternoon and you have just been informed that the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for your next project is leaving the organization. The project kicks off soon and there is no one else who can step in for the SME. You need to bring someone on board...