The CLE Lesson activity at UCSF empowers educators to deliver content and practice exercises through a dynamic and adaptable framework. Lessons consist of content and question pages, which guide students through specific learning paths and incorporate diverse elements like text, images, embedded videos, and hyperlinks. Additionally, lessons can introduce branching scenarios that respond to student input, allowing learners to repeat activities and explore different pathways. Students can progress, revisit previous pages, or navigate alternative routes depending on their responses and lesson design. Integrating various content and question types enriches engagement and broadens the learning experience.
Lessons can serve as non-graded activities, functioning as formative assessments to help students reinforce their understanding of content introduced earlier in a module. Thoughtful lesson design enables a personalized experience for each student, often with minimal additional intervention from instructors. This adaptability is especially effective for accommodating groups with diverse knowledge levels, offering remediation for students who need extra support, and presenting advanced challenges to those prepared to move ahead.
The lesson activity tool transforms lesson delivery to support student engagement. Educators can structure lessons in two main ways:
- Linear Paths: Guide students step-by-step through essential content, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of foundational knowledge.
- Branching Paths: Adapt to individual student choices, simulating real-world decision-making and offering a personalized learning experience.
This flexibility allows instructors to create adaptable learning journeys tailored to course objectives and student needs.
Structuring Learning with Linear Lessons
Linear lessons are ideal for subjects where consistency and mastery of core concepts are crucial. These lessons provide a structured content page with text, videos, audio, and images. This format allows students to progress at their own pace and revisit materials as needed to reinforce their understanding.
By using linear lessons, every essential concept is noticed. This approach enables students to build their knowledge incrementally through repetition and practice.
Branching Paths: The Power of Choice
Branching paths offer a personalized learning experience by allowing students to make decisions that shape their educational journey. Through scenario-based questions, they can explore different pathways based on their choices.
This method enhances critical thinking by simulating real-world decisions. It is effective in role-playing, clinical training, and complex problem-solving, enabling students to examine the consequences of their actions safely.
- Formative, Non-Graded Activities for Mastery: Lessons can serve as tools for formative assessments, aiding students in mastering material.
- Preparation for Lectures or Discussions: Lessons provide foundational knowledge that primes students for in-class interactions.
- Student Orientation: When instructors are uncertain about students' comprehension levels, lessons can help gauge and align understanding.
- Remediation and Enrichment: Offer tailored support for students who need extra help and advanced tasks for those ready to engage with more complex content.
- Plan the Flow First: Develop an outline before creating the lesson. This helps visualize and manage navigation.
- Linear or Non-Linear Paths: Decide whether the lesson will follow a linear progression or allow branching. Consider whether students should revisit pages or complete the assignment in one pass.
- Student Engagement: Design interactions thoughtfully. For example, if content precedes related questions, integrate them directly for a smoother learning experience.
- Clear Instructions: Provide guidance on each page so students know how to proceed.
- Accessibility: Adhere to accessibility standards for videos, images, and links. For screen readers, you can use descriptive text for navigation buttons.
UCSF's CLE Lesson Activity tool champions student-centered education by offering structured and interactive learning paths. It enhances engagement across disciplines, driving educational success and fostering a deeper understanding of complex material. This innovative approach highlights UCSF's commitment to impactful teaching that prepares students to tackle real-world challenges.
Resources