Content, Methods, & Materials

As we discussed, content are the skills and knowledge your course focuses on. Methods are the activities learners engage in and the approach you take to facilitating learning (Here is a succinct list of 150 instructional methods Links to an external site. and a more detailed list of 54). Materials are the handouts, books, articles, drawings, films, etc that you provide your learners.  Each should align with your course's goals and objectives. Listen to Abe . . . 

When selecting content, methods, and materials, ask yourself these questions: 

Content:

1) Is your content consistent with the situational factors you uncovered earlier?

2) Does your content directly relate to your course objectives?

3) Is the structure of course content consistent with your beliefs and values about teaching and learning?

Methods:

1) Do your practice opportunities align with your objectives? 

2) Why are you choosing this method? Does it promote goal and objective attainment or something else? 

3) Are your activities as authentic as possible? 

Materials: 

1) Do your materials help learners achieve the objectives that help them reach course goals? 

2) Can you adapt/alter existing materials (e.g., textbooks) to better align with the component of your course? 

3) What course materials are the most readily available and economical and will provide the features called for you by your objectives?