Welcome & introduction to EDI
Effectively Designed Instruction is a dynamic approach to teaching and learning that pulls together key components from all the major educational frameworks in use today, and organizes them into four easy-to-understand themes: Building Interactions, Designing Experiences, Presenting Content, and Accessibility and Inclusion. Each theme provides teachers with actionable strategies that can be implemented in any learning environment, from traditional face-to-face to online learning and everything in between. Take a moment to watch the video (4:57) above to learn more about the EDI Framework.
Recognizing your position on the Continuum of Classroom Design
Whether you find yourself in the traditional classroom setting, experimenting with the aesthetically driven 'Pretty for Pinterest' phase, or striving towards the pinnacle of effective instructional design, recognizing your position on the Continuum of Classroom Design is the first step in becoming an expert, intentional designer and teacher.
The traditional classroom represents the starting point on this continuum. Here, instruction is primarily teacher-centered, with lectures as the dominant mode of content delivery. Assessment practices are standardized, and curricula are fixed, offering little flexibility to accommodate individual learning needs. While this method can be practical and straightforward, it often overlooks students' unique learning styles, backgrounds, and needs, limiting their active engagement and personal agency in their learning journey.
Moving along the continuum, we encounter what Thomas Murray, author of Personal & Authentic calls the "Pretty for Pinterest" phase. This stage is characterized by an increased emphasis on aesthetics and creative elements. It attempts to break free from traditional molds, incorporating trendy teaching ideas and surface-level technology integration. However, despite its appeal and well-intentioned efforts, this phase often lacks a meaningful connection between creativity and pedagogy. Inclusivity and student agency may still fall short due to an absence of comprehensive, evidence-based strategies.
At the far end of the continuum lies Effectively Designed Instruction (EDI). This is our desired destination. Here, the classroom transforms into an environment where instruction is learner-centered, inclusive, and adaptive. Teachers employ diverse assessment methods to provide a holistic understanding of student progress and individualized learning paths. Active learning strategies and appropriate technology use are integrated purposefully. The curriculum is flexible and evolves to cater to each student's unique needs, fostering active participation and maximizing student agency.
The goal is not just to make classrooms prettier or trendier, but to make them more responsive and inclusive. By the end of this journey, teachers will be empowered to design and implement lessons that foster agency, engagement, and inclusivity, ultimately creating a learning environment that meets the needs of every student.
Effectively Designed Instruction
The stakes in getting it right in our schools have never been higher; not just for the individual teachers but for the entire educational community. Today's teachers are at the heart of shaping our future, guiding the minds that will lead, innovate, and inspire. Yet, they often grapple with a system that can be constraining and unyielding. The weight of expectations and the ever-shifting educational landscape call for a responsive, adaptable approach. It's more than a professional necessity; it's a moral imperative to equip teachers with the strategies, tools, and confidence they need to excel.
Effectively Designed Instruction is a dynamic approach to teaching and learning that pulls together key components from all the major educational frameworks in use today, and organizes them into four easy-to-understand themes: Building Interactions, Designing Experiences, Presenting Content, and Accessibility and Inclusion. Each theme provides teachers with actionable strategies that can be implemented in any learning environment, from traditional face-to-face to online learning and everything in between.
With the knowledge gained from this book, you can unlock the full potential of your classroom and create a positive and engaging learning environment that benefits all of your students.