Be Confident Your Learners Apply What They Learn

When designing a competency-based learning experience, it’s critical to consider what WIDS calls “The Big Three Questions” upfront:

·        WHO is my learner?

·        WHAT will my learner be able to do?

·        WHEN will my learner know they have achieved competence?

Ensure your learning experience effectively answers these critical questions by applying the WIDS performance-based learning strategy to its design.

You know the WHO

Identifying your audience is the easy part—you already know your learners better than anyone. With your expertise and experience, you have a deep understanding of their needs and preferences. But once you have them pinpointed, you face the challenge of defining the WHAT and the WHEN.

WIDS makes WHAT and WHEN easy

Considering WHAT learners will be able to do and WHEN they will know they have achieved will clearly define your performance expectations and the depth and level of performance required.  

WIDS helps you accomplish this by applying performance standards that clarify:

• WHAT transparent learning expectations will guide both instructors and students
• WHAT specific criteria and assessment strategies will be used, eliminating uncertainty
• WHEN learners have demonstrated competence for a targeted outcome
• WHEN learners will know that they have fully met the expectations

Measure competence with performance assessment tasks

With WIDS, performance assessment tasks are designed to measure competencies and program outcomes through tangible products or observable processes. This allows educators to:

• develop and use well-defined criteria in rubrics or checklists
• evaluate student performance consistently, accurately, and fairly

 And it ensures learners:

• understand what they need to do to demonstrate competence for a targeted outcome
• know exactly when they've fully met the expectations

Considering “The Big Three Questions” before designing your next learning experience will ensure both learners and instructors know WHAT is expected and WHEN they have achieved it.  Contact WIDS to learn more about how we can help you apply performance-based learning.  

WIDS (Worldwide Instructional Design System) is a nonprofit organization that provides curriculum design software, consulting, and training services.  Download the free Sample Performance Assessment Task

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