What is the best professional development event that you have ever experienced?
In looking back on various PD events that I’ve participated in or facilitated, my favorites are those that offered something I could use right away in my daily practices, provided examples that seemed like my situation, and pushed me to think differently. For me, the most effective professional learning exists at the intersection of need, opportunity, and inspiration.
In this article, explore a quick tip for authors about the 3 “musts” and see an example by microlearning author Nicki B.
Quick Tip
As you develop your micro-course, make sure it addresses a true need, provides relevant examples, and prompts action from your learners. Otherwise, valuable minutes are wasted. In this video, I’ll explore the three “musts” individually.
Need, Opportunity, and Inspiration in Action
Nicki B., one of our JoltEDU authors, has figured out an ideal way to bring together need, opportunity, and inspiration.
- Nicki knows that ELA teachers need a simple way to help students strengthen their argumentative writing skills – like a formula to follow. That’s the need.
- She has found a strategy students understand, the Toulmin Method. Video explanations and a helpful handout model this method. That’s the opportunity.
- At the beginning of the course, Nicki provides a thought-provoking video as a hook. At the end of the course, Nicki supports teachers with a sample essay and prompt they can use with their students. That’s the inspiration.
Check out the opening video in Nicki’s course, Now, THAT’s a Solid Argument: A Short-Answer Argumentative Writing Model.
The more learners can get what they need when they need it, the more they’ll use it. ~ Carla Torgerson, MEd, MBA, Author of The Microlearning Guide to Microlearning
FYI… New at JoltEDU
In case you missed it, we recently added five new micro-courses to our JoltEDU catalog. Thanks to authors like you, our catalog now features 71 short courses on various topics. The latest releases are:
- Understanding Gifted Students and Their Needs
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Four Steps to a Mindful Mindset
- Creating Content that THRIVES (free for IU8 schools)
- Developing the Portrait of a Learner (for school leaders)
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