Getting Started: Module Development Process

This introductory unit describes the entire module development process and illustrates the process step-by-step by means of a flowchart.

Module 1 (Describe Learning Environment)

Be able to describe the learning environment in which your module will be expected to function, including at least the following information:

1. location and physical facility,
2. instructional equipment currently and practically available,
3. student density, and
4. probable distractions/obstacles.

Module 2 (Describe Relevant Practice)

Given an objective and a Relevant Practice Worksheet, be able to write a description of relevant practice; that is, the performance, the critical cues and/or conditions under which the performance must occur, and the sources of feedback.

Criteria: The description includes:

1. the performance required by the objective,
2. critical cues and/or conditions under which the performance should occur, and
3. the sources of feedback affirming the quality of the practice performance.

Module 3 (Draft Module Practice)

Given an objective and a description of relevant practice for that objective, be able to draft the practice section of a module intended to teach that objective.

Criteria: The practice section:

1. provides directions telling students what to do, where to go, how to procure materials;
2. provides critical cues, if any, along with the things/space/people needed for relevant practice;
3. requires practice in the performance described by the objective;
4. provides appropriate forms of feedback to affirm the quality of the practice performance; and
5. tells students what to do when finished with practice.

Module 4 (Derive Content/Activities)

For a subject with which you are familiar, be able to derive the content of a module that would teach an objective in that subject, when given the objective, target population description, an objective's hierarchy, and a description of relevant practice.

Criterion: The content description includes only that which is needed to fill the gap between what students already know and what they must know before they can practice the objective.

Module 5 (Derive Delivery System)

Given (a) an objective in a subject with which you are familiar, (b) a target population description, (c) a learning environment description, (d) content summary, and (e) a relevant practice description, be able to derive a delivery system suitable for teaching the objective.

Criteria: The delivery system provides both relevant practice and feedback, as well as all content listed in the content summary. No unwarranted assumptions are made about the target population; the selected media are available to the learning environment, accessible to students, and the least expensive that will accomplish the purpose.

Module 6 (Draft Module)

For a subject in which you are competent, and given:

1. Target population description,
2. Objective and Skill Check,
3. Content summary,
4. Learning environment description, and a
5. Delivery system description,

be able to draft a module to teach the objective.

Criteria: The module itself will contain at least:

1. objective,
2. description of relevance,
3. instructional content needed to prepare students to practice, if such is needed,
4. relevant practice and feedback, and
5. Skill Check.

Module 7 (Try Out Module)

Given a draft of a unit of instruction in an area or your competence and one or more members of the target population for that module, be able to test the module, i.e., collect information regarding its adequacy and need for improvement.

Criteria: All instructor interventions are recorded, as well as student (tester) responses and comments. Instructions to testers include no comments or actions that are hostile, insulting, or defensive, or that suggest that the testee is being tested or evaluated.

Module 8 (Revise Module)

Given a module draft in an area of your competence, and information derived from a tryout on a member of the target population, be able to revise the draft. You must incorporate all revisions revealed by the tryout that are needed to influence clarity, practicality, offensiveness, or efficiency.

Module 9 ( Prepare Modules)

For a subject in which you are competent, and given:

1. Objective and Skill Check,
2. Objective's hierarchy (pyramid),
3. Target population description,
4. Learning environment description,
5. An absence of presentation constraints, and
6. Any existing resources,

prepare (draft, test, and revise as required) a module of instruction to teach that objective.

Criteria: All qualified members of the target population can perform to criterion; the module is self-contained (instructor intervention is not required except to provide feedback to relevant practice); there are no modeling errors; there are no unwarranted assumptions regarding target population, and the delivery system is (a) least awkward (easiest to use), (b) fits the target population, and (c) fits the learning environment.

Module 10 ( Prepare Implementation Instructions)

Given a module of instruction that accomplishes its objective, be able to prepare the directions/instructions that will enable the module to work when administered by another instructor.

Criteria: The directions/instructions answer questions about:

1. what to collect in the way of materials, supplies, equipment, resources;
2. how to prepare the equipment/materials/space for use;
3. how to answer common questions and handle common problems;
4. how and when to suggest alternative resources/activities, if any, and
5. how to review Skill Check performance.