Page 177 - Making Instruction Work

chap 15 3/11/97 5:08 PM Page 163

module drafting 163

in print, you would write the instruction in a form intended to
be read by students. If it will be delivered by computer, you will
draft the individual screens that will be viewed by the students.
If you will be the primary medium through which much of
your instruction will be presented, you will most likely draft
the module in the form of a lesson plan. But no matter how the
instruction will ultimately be delivered, it begins with words
on paper or screen.

The Floor Plan

Whether stated or not, every lesson or module has a floor
plan. Something happens first, then something else happens,
followed by something else. (How’s that for profound?) The
kind of floor plan you should be aiming for is one that
includes the following components, in approximately the
order shown in Figure 15.1.

Big picture: Reminds or shows students where they are in
the larger scheme of the course. (Always included.)

Objective: Shows them the objective they are to accom-
plish, in terms they can understand. (Always included.)

Skill check description: Describes what students will
have to do to demonstrate mastery of the objective.

Relevance: Explains and/or demonstrates why the
accomplishment of this objective is important to them.
(Always included.)

Demo: Shows what students will look like when per-
forming the objective. (As needed.)