I am offering ten principles for writing material for educational courses. Principle six is about the difference between presenting information and facilitating learning.
2. The aim of an educational course is for students
to appropriate, understand and internalise the
concepts and facts, not simply for the
writer/teacher to deliver information.
3. A fundamental question for teachers and designers
of courses:
“What is the difference between training/
education and the delivery of information?”
4. Effective delivery/presentation of information is
like a good book – it presents material:
• logically
• developmentally
• lucidly
• comprehensively.
5. What more does education or training offer?
It has the following aspects built into the
design and delivery of a course.
6. Cues for the student to consider and reflect on
what is being said.
7. Exercises or activities for students to build or test
out their knowledge and understanding of the
course content.
8. Feedback to students on their engagement with
the course content, such as feedback on
exercises carried out.
9. Opportunities for students to develop their own
views in subject areas that involve human
perspectives and values.
10. Opportunities for students to engage with the
teacher and each other in relation to the course
content.
11. Assessment of what students have learned,
which may be informal and/or formal.