Designing Experiences for Learning

date

Jan 18, 2024

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lxd

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Jan 18, 2024

Referencing activities from this week, what excites you about diving into designing experiences for learning and why?

This week in class, we used a framework to decode a learning experience. The 5 W framework (Who, What, When, Where, Why) along with How is an effective tool for planning, communication, and understanding. Here is an example:

Don’t Drop the Beat playlist by the American Heart Association on Spotify

WHO - People Not Familiar with CPR: Targeting the right audience is crucial. By focusing on individuals unfamiliar with CPR, the campaign ensures it provides vital information to those who need it most. This specificity in the audience helps tailor the content, making it more relevant and engaging.

WHAT - Correct Compression Beats for CPR: This is about the content or the core message. In this case, it's teaching the correct rhythm for chest compressions during CPR. Having a clear, focused topic helps in creating concise and effective instructional material.

WHEN - Training, Awareness Campaign, Word of Mouth: Timing is everything. By considering various channels like training sessions, awareness campaigns, and encouraging word-of-mouth dissemination, the information is spread effectively over time and through different mediums. This ensures a wider reach and reinforces the message.

WHERE - Digital: Choosing the right platform or location is key to reaching your audience. Digital platforms offer wide accessibility and the potential to engage a large audience. They also allow for creative methods of instruction, like using music and videos, which can be more appealing and memorable.

WHY - To Save Lives: The purpose or motivation behind the initiative. In this case, it's to save lives by educating people on effective CPR techniques. This 'why' is compelling, providing a strong motivation for people to engage with and learn from the campaign.

HOW - Through Music: This refers to the method or approach. Using music to teach the correct rhythm for CPR compressions is innovative and effective. Music is universal, and memorable, and can make learning a complex skill like CPR more approachable and less intimidating.

Using this same framework, I am excited to decode the learning experience of Duolingo and share it with the rest of the class in the following class on Thursday.

Duolingo - online language learning app

WHO - People Who Want to Learn a Foreign Language at a Beginner Level at Low Stakes: This defines the primary target audience for Duolingo. By focusing on beginners and those looking for low-stakes learning, Duolingo can tailor its content and teaching methods to be more accessible and less intimidating, encouraging more users to start their language learning journey.

WHAT - Alphabet, Vocabulary, and Basic Sentence Structure of 150+ Languages: This specifies the content offered by Duolingo. By providing foundational aspects of a language such as the alphabet, vocabulary, and basic grammar, the app addresses the essential building blocks needed for learning a new language. The wide range of languages available makes the app appealing to a broad audience.

WHEN - Word of Mouth, Advertisement: This relates to the promotion and user acquisition strategies. Through word-of-mouth recommendations and targeted advertising, Duolingo can reach potential users who are most likely to benefit from and enjoy the app. This approach helps in building a community of learners and maintaining the app’s popularity.

WHERE - Digital (Mobile/Desktop): The digital platform, accessible via both mobile and desktop, is crucial for Duolingo’s accessibility. This allows users to learn at their own pace, in their own space, making language learning more flexible and convenient.

WHY - To Experience a New Culture, To Be Able to Talk to People, To Exercise the Brain, For FUN: The motivations for using Duolingo are diverse and compelling. Whether it's to connect with a new culture, communicate with more people, or keep the brain active, these reasons resonate with a wide array of users, providing a strong incentive to engage with the app.

HOW - Reading Example Sentences; Repeating Audio; Completing Exercise Questions; Reading Personalized Feedback for Mistakes; Chatting with a Conversational Agent: This highlights the interactive and user-friendly teaching methods used by Duolingo. The variety of exercises – from reading and listening to speaking and writing – ensures a comprehensive learning experience. The personalized feedback and the use of conversational agents make the learning process more engaging and effective.

Leveraging AI in Useful Ways for Designing Learning Experiences

The integration of AI in education is transforming the landscape of learning experiences. AI's role in enhancing these experiences is pivotal, offering innovative and personalized approaches. Recent advancements in AI technology, particularly in natural language processing and machine learning, have opened new avenues in education, making learning more interactive and tailored to individual needs.

One of the most notable applications of AI in current learning environments is its ability to provide personalized feedback and adaptive learning paths. As a language learner myself, I was very excited about language learning platforms like Duolingo now leveraging AI to offer customized feedback, and AI agent conversation practice. This personalization helps meet each learner’s individual needs, significantly improving their understanding and retention of information.

Duolingo AI-aided personalized feedback feature mock-up

Designing a Single Product for Individual and Collective Learning

The challenge of creating educational tools that cater to both individual and collective learning needs is significant. It involves striking a balance between personalization and collaborative features. Products like Duolingo exemplify this balance by offering personalized language learning pathways alongside community features that encourage community interaction (sharing streaks and nudging your friend).

Looking ahead, the development of such multifaceted tools is likely to become more sophisticated. However, it's important to balance this with the cognitive and social aspects of learning, ensuring that AI serves as an aid rather than a replacement for human interaction and traditional learning methods.

I hope to see more examples of leveraging AI to integrate individual learning preferences with collaborative educational experiences. I have been brainstorming about how Duolingo can integrate AI also into the learner community to create more exciting learning experiences.

What topic(s) featured in Hidden Brain are you drawn to and why? Why do you believe the topic(s) is important? What challenges are you interested in exploring to create/improve the design of learning experiences?

Recently, I embarked on an unexpected journey into the world of fitness, all thanks to a nudge from my supervisor, Professor Majd. When I fell ill during the winter break, he suggested that regular exercise could bolster my health. But it wasn't just a casual suggestion – he introduced me to the scientific approach to working out and helped me carve out a practical 3-hour weekly workout plan.

This guidance was more than just a set of instructions; it was a commitment, a subtle yet powerful accountability tool. Knowing that Professor Majd might check on my progress added a layer of motivation that was previously missing in my life. It led me to hit the gym every other day, a routine I would have considered daunting before.

The most surprising part? I discovered that I could spend an entire hour in the gym without giving up. Before this, the idea of dedicating such a significant chunk of time to physical exercise seemed almost unachievable. Yet, here I am, consistently meeting this goal, all because I am committed to someone I respect.

The training plan put in place by prof. Majd

In my story, the role of Professor Majd in guiding you towards setting a fitness goal and committing to it exemplifies the profound impact of social connections on personal goal setting and achievement. This is akin to the insights from podcast episodes like "Who’s In Your Inner Circle?" and "Relationships 2.0: What Makes Relationships Thrive." It highlights how surrounding ourselves with supportive and like-minded individuals can significantly influence our motivation and ability to reach our goals. This concept can be pivotal in designing learning experiences where peer support and mentorship play a key role in enhancing motivation and commitment to learning objectives.

The challenges to explore in creating or improving learning experiences may include:

Incorporating Goal-Setting Frameworks: Inspired by "You 2.0: Your Future is now (goal setting)," integrating structured goal-setting methodologies into learning platforms can help learners define clear, achievable objectives.

Fostering a Supportive Community: Drawing from "Who Do You Want to Be?" and "Relationships 2.0: The Power of Tiny Interactions" building a community within learning platforms where learners can find mentorship, peer support, and encouragement is vital.

By addressing these challenges, the design of learning experiences can focus on academic or skill-based outcomes and also holistic personal development, leveraging the power of social connections and goal-setting to foster a more comprehensive and fulfilling educational journey.

Jan 24, 2024

Expanding on the questions/hypotheses raised through class activities, what themes are emerging, and what connections are you seeing? What are you eager to explore?

The Empathy Toy is a creative tool designed to help people of all ages learn about and practice empathy in a fun and interactive way. It's based on the idea that even though we might be physically far apart or come from different backgrounds, we can still connect and understand each other through play.

In our experience with the toy, our group of four split into two roles: two of us were blindfolded, and the other two acted as guides. The guides first put together a set of blocks in a specific arrangement. Then, one of the blindfolded players was given the completed set and had to explain to the other blindfolded player how to assemble their blocks to match the arrangement, using only words and listening to feedback.

Through this activity, we discovered several interesting things about how we communicate:

People see things differently. When we tried to explain where each block should go, some of us used directions like "left" or "right," others used "north" or "south," and some even used "clock positions" to describe angles.

Having a common language helps a lot. Before we started, we spent a little time agreeing on names for each type of block, like calling the biggest one the "long arrow," the smaller ones "short arrows," and the circular ones "wheels," with one being "textured" and the other "smooth." This made it much easier for us to understand each other quickly.

Playing with the Empathy Toy was not just fun; it also made us think more deeply about empathy and how we learn to connect with others emotionally. It showed us the value of trying to see things from someone else's perspective and how important clear communication is in understanding each other.

What did you learn from the decoded experiences shared in class?

The decoded learning experiences mentioned in class encompass a wide variety of educational tools and environments, both digital and physical, each offering unique insights into how learning can be facilitated and enhanced.

Digital Learning Experiences:

Kitsun, Duolingo, Mimo: These platforms are designed to make learning new languages (Duolingo), coding (Mimo), and Japanese (Kitsun) engaging and accessible. They often use gamification techniques, such as points, levels, and immediate feedback, to motivate users and make the learning process more enjoyable.

Amaze.jr: Focuses on early children’s sex education, providing interactive and engaging content tailored for young learners.

PhotographyMapped: This tool probably offers interactive tutorials or visual guides to help individuals understand the complexities of photography, such as exposure, aperture, and shutter speed, more intuitively and engagingly.

Hollow Knight: While primarily a video game, its inclusion suggests it was recognized for its potential to foster problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and perhaps even storytelling abilities, highlighting the educational value that can be found in entertainment.

Physical Learning Experiences:

Children’s Museum: Offers hands-on, interactive exhibits that allow children to learn through play, exploration, and experimentation, covering various subjects from science to culture. However, it’s pointed out that the height of the chair seems inappropriate for little kids.

World’s Deepest Bin: This unique installation makes throwing trash away an engaging experience, potentially teaching the importance of cleanliness and environmental responsibility memorably.

Riding a Bus in Pittsburgh: This real-world experience is highlighted for its lessons in navigation, public transportation systems, and the social and cultural insights gained from observing and interacting with a diverse group of people in a shared space.

Learning Tools:

Guitar Tuner: Serves as an aid in learning music, specifically in tuning a guitar, which is a fundamental skill for guitar players. It emphasizes the importance of precision and the use of technology in facilitating the learning of musical instruments.

From these experiences, several key themes in effective learning emerge:

Engagement and Gamification: Making learning enjoyable and rewarding can significantly enhance motivation and retention.

Interactivity: Active participation in the learning process, whether through digital platforms or physical environments, helps solidify understanding and skills.

Real-World Application: Experiences that connect learning to real-life contexts or that occur in real-world settings can make learning more relevant and memorable.

Diverse Learning Modalities: Incorporating various forms of learning—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—can cater to different learning styles and needs.

Use of Technology: Leveraging digital tools and platforms can provide personalized, flexible, and accessible learning opportunities.

Each of these experiences, in its unique way, contributes to a broader understanding of how learning can be effectively designed and implemented across different contexts and subjects.

Jan 31, 2024

What have you discovered about your learners/stakeholders? What have you gained from class activities and exercises this week?

This week's exploration into the landscape of stakeholders involved in setting and achieving goals has been illuminating. Our journey began with the creation of a comprehensive stakeholder diagram using Miro, a tool that allowed us to visually map out the intricate web of individuals and groups invested in goal realization.

Our initial insight was profound yet simple: goal setting is a universal endeavor, transcending the boundaries of personal and professional spheres. We recognized that goals could be as diverse as the individuals who set them, encompassing areas such as health and fitness, financial well-being, personal development, and career progression.

To navigate this complex terrain, we stratified stakeholders into three primary categories: the goal-strivers, those actively working towards their objectives; the navigators, mentors, and coaches who guide the goal-strivers; and the supporters, a network of family, friends, and peers who offer encouragement and advice.

Delving deeper, we focused on the goal-strivers, segmenting them into distinct demographic groups: college students aged 18 to 25, entrepreneurs and small business owners, and young working professionals. This segmentation led to an intriguing discovery—despite their differing life stages, all groups shared common hopes and fears revolving around personal growth, achieving a harmonious work-life balance, and securing financial stability. This overlap signaled a need for further specificity in our study.

A personal reflection from our team brought a sharper focus to our inquiry. Both Sherry and I, recent enthusiasts in the world of fitness and no strangers to the challenges of maintaining a consistent workout routine, recognized a unique opportunity. We decided to hone in on individuals with a keen interest in learning about and integrating fitness into their lives as our target audience for goal setting and achievement.

This decision not only reflects our journey and challenges but also underscores a key insight from our week's exploration: the most effective learning and goal-setting strategies are those that are deeply resonant and personally meaningful to the learners. As we move forward, we aim to tailor our approach to meet the specific needs and aspirations of those embarking on their fitness journeys, guiding them towards realizing their goals with empathy, understanding, and evidence-based strategies.

Referencing your learning gaps diagram, what are the challenges you plan to tackle? What types of challenges are they? What ideas do you have for approaching them?

For workout beginners embarking on the journey of setting realistic and achievable fitness goals, it is crucial to understand their current state across several dimensions. This involves assessing the environment they have for workouts, their knowledge of fitness principles, their skill level in performing exercises, their ability to communicate within the fitness community, and their motivation levels. Each of these areas presents its own set of challenges that can impede progress toward an ideal fitness state.

In their current state, many beginners find themselves constrained by their environment, lacking either the physical space or access to gym facilities and equipment necessary for effective workouts. Additionally, the absence of a supportive community can diminish their enthusiasm and commitment to fitness. Knowledge-wise, beginners often grapple with understanding the foundational principles of fitness, including effective workout routines and nutritional guidelines, which are essential for safe and productive exercise. Skill level is another critical area, where improper form, technique, and low endurance can lead to ineffective workouts or even injury. Communication challenges also arise, with many feeling hesitant to seek help or share their progress, thereby missing out on valuable support and advice. Finally, motivation can be a significant hurdle, with fluctuating levels of drive and unclear goals making it difficult to maintain a consistent fitness regimen.

The ideal state for a fitness beginner is one where these challenges are overcome. It's a state where the individual has access to a conducive workout environment, whether at home or in a gym, equipped with the necessary facilities and a supportive community that encourages regular exercise. They possess a solid understanding of fitness principles, know how to tailor their workouts to their goals, and have a good grasp of nutritional balance. Their skill in performing a variety of exercises is proficient, ensuring workouts are both effective and safe. At this stage, they are no longer fitness beginners but rather fitness pros who feel comfortable taking on challenging sports like bouldering or water surfing. Communication is no longer a barrier, with active participation in fitness communities, willingness to share experiences, and openness to learning from others. Motivation is high and sustained, driven by clear, achievable goals and regular reflection on progress and achievements.

Bridging the gap from the current state to the ideal state involves a strategic approach. That is where the learning experience we will be designing plays in. Creating a supportive environment can be something like setting up a dedicated workout space at home or joining a local gym or fitness group to gain access to facilities and equipment. Knowledge gaps can be filled through instruction, utilizing a range of modalities like text, images, videos, audio, or even a live personal trainer for foundational guidance. Building skills involves starting with basic exercises to establish good form and technique, gradually incorporating more complex routines as proficiency increases, often aided by instructional videos from certified trainers. Overcoming communication challenges can be achieved by giving learners access to fitness forums, social media groups, or local clubs where experiences and advice can be shared freely. Connecting learners with a workout buddy or mentor can also enhance accountability and provide a direct line of communication. Lastly, maintaining motivation requires setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, coupled with tracking progress through journals or apps to visualize improvements and stay committed.

Feb 7, 2024

How is McCarthy's 4MAT System informing your thinking about framing learning steps (reference class activities and readings as warranted)?

Using the 4MAT System to shape the fitness learning journey is a smart move. It gives us a well-rounded plan that meets different learning styles. This approach spiced up with 4MAT insights, is all about recognizing that people take in and process info in their ways. Some like facts and figures, while others prefer hands-on experience. Given Sherry's lean towards quadrant two and my vibe with the first, it's key to mix in tactics that hit the mark for those digging quadrants three and four. This way, we are not just nailing the 'why' and 'what' but also getting down with the 'how' and the 'what if'.

For those in the first quadrant, it's all about making the learning stick by connecting it to real stuff like the need for friends, feeling good about oneself, and getting props from others. Peeling back the layers to find out why folks are hitting the gym or eating clean – whether it's for that fit look or the confidence boost and nods one gets – helps make the learning resonate. Telling stories or showing examples that bring out the personal and social wins of reaching fitness goals can draw people in.

When it comes to the second quadrant, it's about breaking down the must-knows into bite-sized pieces. Think big goals, tiny goals, and the nitty-gritty of setting goals that work, like those SMART goals everyone talks about. The trick is to lay it out step by step, using visuals and interactive bits to make tough topics like workout plans and nutrition easy and fun to get.

In the third quadrant, the game plan is to make learning activities more than just informative – they should be fun and kick motivation into high gear. Throw in some competitive elements, leaderboards, and instant high-fives for progress to keep things spicy. What's crucial is coming up with activities that mirror real life or give a taste of the experience, like mock workout sessions, planning meals, or buddying up for coaching.

Moving to the fourth quadrant, it's about sparking curiosity and getting learners to dream big about using their fitness smarts in new ways. Encouraging them to see themselves as future fitness gurus or influencers not only locks in what they've learned but also opens doors to new paths. Creating moments that get learners to think ahead, connect with like-minded folks, or dive into projects that challenge them to use their knowledge creatively is the way to go.

By weaving these bits into our learning setup, inspired by the 4MAT System, we're building a learning space that's welcoming for everyone. It makes the journey more engaging and lets the knowledge stick better, pushing learners to not just reach their fitness goals but also to think about what's next on the horizon.

How are the scenario-building activity and the design jam informing your development of design ideas for the learning experience you will create?

The scenario-building activity and the design jam have been pivotal in shaping our approach to developing a learning experience aimed at cultivating a regular workout habit. Through these exercises, we've honed in on the core issue: the struggle to establish and maintain a consistent exercise routine. This challenge is influenced by various factors including time constraints, physical conditions, financial resources, and a lack of knowledge or skills.

Our 5W1H analysis shed light on the key components of the learning experience we envision:

Who: The primary audience is PE students.

What: We're introducing a bite-size workout challenge designed to be approachable and low-pressure, encouraging baby steps towards fitness.

When: The flexibility of the program allows participation at any time, with a minimum requirement of five minutes, making it easy to integrate into college PE classes.

Where: The workouts can be done anywhere, from home to the gym, or any convenient location.

Why: The motivation behind the program is multifaceted - from boosting energy, confidence, and health to potentially earning rewards and helping others.

How: The approach is to start small with 5-minute workout sessions or theoretical learning, allowing for gradual progression as comfort and confidence grow.

During a 40-minute design jam session, we crafted a scenario featuring Sherry, who initially faced significant physical and mental health challenges. By engaging with our fitness app and its tailored learning experience, Sherry embarked on a transformative journey. The app's strategy is to begin with a manageable commitment of 5 minutes (it’s easier for people to achieve goals that are broken down into smaller pieces, inspired by Hidden Brain episode “You, but better”). Success in this initial stage opens the door to more advanced levels, but even if users fall short, they're encouraged to do whatever they can, be it 30 seconds or 3 minutes, with corresponding rewards such as money, digital coins, positive feedback, and peer support.

To track progress and engagement, we plan to utilize fitness watches or other metrics. An AI-assisted feature within the app will guide users in crafting longer-term fitness plans once they're ready to extend their sessions beyond the initial 5 minutes. This blend of scenario building and design jamming has been instrumental in refining our design ideas, ensuring they are both practical and inspiring for the intended learners.

Feb 16, 2024

ANALYSIS/SYNTHESIS: What are your key takeaways from the framing context readings and activities (stakeholder mapping, defining learning gaps, 4MAT plotting, presentations), and the inquiries you conducted outside of class (Hidden Brain podcasts, inquiries with learners, reviewing existing artifacts), and how are they informing your thinking about your project and your design ideas?

Reflecting on the feedback received from our presentation, several key takeaways and action items emerged. They will inform the direction of our project on designing a digital product for fitness beginners.

Medium and Approach

The feedback highlighted a curiosity about the medium of our product (app versus physical mentor or buddy system) and its effectiveness. This suggests exploring a hybrid approach that combines digital and interpersonal elements might be more engaging (e.g. user community or opportunity for learners to set goals as a group). Incorporating a buddy system or mentorship within the app could enhance accountability and support, making the fitness journey less intimidating for beginners.

Vocabulary and Sensitivity

The importance of careful vocabulary around exercise was noted, emphasizing the need to foster a positive self-perception among users. Our users might be at diverse stages of their lives and are facing different challenges. This underlines the necessity to craft our content and user interactions in a way that is empowering and sensitive to users' feelings about their bodies and fitness levels.

Ownership and Motivation

A critical point was the need to help users gain a sense of ownership over their fitness goals. This involves designing features that encourage personal investment in the goals set within the app. Motivation was identified as a multifaceted element, with intrinsic and extrinsic factors playing significant roles. It's essential to incorporate motivational psychology insights, possibly leveraging gamification carefully to avoid negative impacts on users' self-perception (think about how Duolingo might be overkilling with the widgets and notifications).

Benchmarking and Differentiation

The feedback suggested benchmarking existing workout apps to understand what works and what doesn't. This will help us differentiate our product by focusing on elements that are not adequately addressed by current offerings, such as personalization, adaptability, and a non-intimidating approach to fitness.

Health Focus over Aesthetics

Focusing on the overall health and internal benefits of exercise rather than physical appearance was recommended. This approach is crucial to avoid triggering negative body image issues and to promote long-term health and wellness.

Personal Pace and Flexibility

The concept of personal pace and flexibility in fitness plans was emphasized, suggesting that our design should allow users to adjust their goals and routines to fit their individual progress and life circumstances. This adaptability could also address the challenge of maintaining consistency and motivation, especially after setbacks.

Goal Resetting and Habit Formation

The feedback pointed to the need for mechanisms that help users reset and recover from unmet goals. This is pivotal in building resilience and long-term habit formation. Exploring strategies to re-engage users after setbacks and to promote flexibility in goal setting could be valuable.

Research Directions

Several research directions were proposed, including a deeper exploration of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, the specific challenges of goal setting in the context of exercise, and the definition and needs of workout beginners. These areas of inquiry will help refine our understanding of our target users and the most effective ways to support them.

Our research will go in several directions:

Expert Interview

What are the key barriers and motivations for fitness beginners?

What features in fitness apps are most effective for beginners?

How can digital fitness solutions sensitively address users' body image and self-perception?

What are the best practices for incorporating adaptability and personalization in fitness apps?

Literature Review

What are effective engagement strategies for fitness beginners according to recent research?

How do theories of motivation apply to fitness app design and user engagement?

What are the psychological effects of focusing on health and wellness goals versus aesthetic goals in fitness programs?

Artifacts Review

What common features and design elements are present in successful fitness apps for beginners?

How do existing apps integrate support systems like social features, mentorship, or community?

How do current fitness apps facilitate goal adaptability and user feedback?

In response to these insights, we aim to focus on the following action items moving forward:

Conduct targeted research on motivation, the needs of fitness beginners, and effective habit-formation strategies.

Benchmark existing solutions and identify unique value propositions for our design.

Design for adaptability, personal pace, and easy goal resetting to encourage consistent engagement.

Emphasize wellness goals over aesthetic outcomes.

Incorporate motivational psychology principles, carefully considering the role of gamification.

Develop content and interactions that are empowering, sensitive, and tailored to individual user needs.

Explore a hybrid model that integrates digital and interpersonal support mechanisms.

The action items will guide the refinement of our experience design concept, ensuring it meets the needs and preferences of fitness beginners in a supportive, effective, and engaging manner while ensuring our design possesses the flexibility to be applied in broader contexts beyond fitness, encompassing various goal-setting and achievement scenarios.

Feb 22, 2024

Stages in the Development of Mastery

The journey towards mastery is a transformative process that unfolds in distinct stages, beginning with unaware incompetence, where individuals are oblivious to their lack of skill. This evolves into aware incompetence, marking the crucial realization of their skill deficit. Progressing to aware competence, individuals gain skillfulness but must consciously apply their knowledge. Ultimately, they reach unaware competence, a stage where skills are so ingrained they are applied effortlessly. This progression is evident across various skill domains, from discrete and content-specific skills to more complex, extensive abilities.

Cycles of Practice, Feedback, and Goals

Mastery is cultivated in a cyclical process where goals set the direction for practice. This practice, in turn, leads to performance that can be observed and assessed, providing a basis for targeted feedback. This feedback is crucial for guiding further practice, ensuring that each cycle is informed and improved upon, leading to progressive skill enhancement.

Learning Flow Model

The Learning Flow Model emphasizes growth through challenges. As learners confront and overcome obstacles, their abilities enhance. This model highlights the dynamic nature of learning, where individuals constantly acclimate to and assimilate new information, propelling their competence forward.

Elements of Mastery

Mastery is not just about acquiring skills; it's about integrating and applying them aptly. The foundation is laid by acquiring component skills, which are then woven together through practice. The crux of mastery lies in not just knowing how to perform these skills but understanding when to apply them, a discernment that comes with experience and continuous learning.

Scaffolding the Learning Inclines

Learning new skills often presents a steep learning curve, a challenge that can be mitigated through scaffolding. This support makes the learning journey more manageable, gradually receding as the learner gains proficiency and confidence, enabling them to tackle the inclines independently over time.

Structured Flow of Goals

Setting goals is a fundamental part of the learning process, providing direction and motivation. These goals are often layered, with long-term goals at the apex, which are then broken down into more manageable mid-term and short-term goals. This hierarchical structuring helps in creating a clear pathway for achieving overarching objectives, making the journey towards mastery a well-organized endeavor.

The six facets of understanding, as outlined by Wiggins and McTighe, present a comprehensive framework for deep learning and insight. Explain involves articulating well-informed and justified explanations of phenomena, demonstrating a thorough grasp of the subject matter. Interpret goes beyond mere facts, inviting learners to find meaning through stories, translations, and personal interpretations, thus connecting knowledge to life. The ability to apply signifies the practical use of knowledge, enabling learners to adapt their understanding to novel situations and varied contexts. Perspective encourages looking at concepts from different angles, fostering critical thinking and insightful viewpoints. Empathize emphasizes the importance of stepping into others' experiences, cultivating a deep sense of understanding and connection. Lastly, self-knowledge involves a reflective dimension, recognizing one's limitations and biases, which is crucial for genuine understanding and growth. Together, these facets encapsulate a holistic approach to learning that goes beyond the mere acquisition of facts, aiming for a profound and interconnected comprehension of ideas and their implications.

Based on Wiggins + McTighe, what ideas are you developing for helping your learners acquire the knowledge that you believe is pertinent for them to gain?

Leveraging Wiggins and McTighe's framework, our approach to helping learners acquire pertinent knowledge for setting and reaching fitness goals will be on:

Understanding by Design - Crafting our digital fitness solution around essential questions such as, "What does it mean to be fit?" and "How can fitness goals be aligned with personal values and lifestyle?" This approach encourages learners to delve deeper into the concept of fitness, beyond surface-level understanding.

Facets of Understanding - We aim to enable learners to explain the importance of regular exercise, interpret health and fitness information in a way that is meaningful to their lives, apply fitness knowledge to their daily routines, view health and fitness from multiple perspectives, empathize with others on their fitness journeys, and develop self-knowledge about their personal health and fitness challenges.

Backward Design - Starting with the end in mind, we will define what success looks like for our learners. This could include achieving a specific fitness milestone, developing a consistent exercise habit, or improving overall wellness. From there, we will design our content and features to guide our learners toward these outcomes.

Based on the Lovett and Dirksen models/theories we discussed, what ideas do you have for helping your learners acquire the necessary skills to gain mastery?

Informed by Lovett's cycles of practice and feedback and Dirksen's focus on skill development, our learning experience should consider the following:

Structured Practice - We will incorporate features that allow learners to practice fitness skills in a structured manner, such as guided workout routines that progress in difficulty as the user's fitness level improves.

Feedback Mechanisms - Integrating real-time feedback on performance during workouts, as well as periodic reviews of progress towards goals, will be crucial. This feedback will be designed to be constructive and motivational, helping learners understand where they are succeeding and where they need to focus more effort.

Scaffolding Support - Initially, more guidance and support will be provided to help learners gain confidence in their abilities. As they develop mastery, the support will gradually decrease, encouraging independence while still offering resources for learners who need them.

Motivational Design - Incorporating Dirksen's insights, we will carefully use gamification to enhance intrinsic motivation, ensuring that any competitive elements are positive and encouraging. The design will focus on celebrating personal achievements and progress, rather than fostering negative comparisons with others.

Adaptable Learning Paths - Recognizing that mastery comes at a personal pace, our solution should offer flexible learning paths that learners can adjust based on their progress, challenges, and changes in their personal lives.

Community and Peer Learning - Encouraging learners to share experiences, challenges, and successes within a supportive community can enhance learning and foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

By integrating the principles from Wiggins, McTighe, Lovett, and Dirksen, we aim to create a learning experience that can help our learner acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for setting and achieving fitness goals while fostering a deeper understanding and mastery of what it means to lead a healthy, active lifestyle that goes beyond.

Feb 29, 2024

How are you leveraging blockbusting in your thinking (reference class activities and readings as warranted)? What role might form play in your ideas?‘

In leveraging blockbusting in our thought process, particularly within the context of class activities and readings, we have explored several dimensions that significantly influence our approach to problem-solving and idea generation.

The initial aspect of blockbusting we incorporated involves critically examining what might be missing from our initial view of a problem space. This introspection led us to a deeper understanding of goal-setting and achievement processes. Through reflecting on our experiences and class discussions, we identified a common barrier to setting goals: the lack of self-efficacy. This realization prompted us to consider the psychological aspects of goal setting, aiming to foster deeper self-connections within learners. During a presentation, feedback from a peer, Michelle, underscored the necessity of considering scenarios where learners set detrimental goals. This feedback bolstered our interest in using AI to provide real-time, personalized feedback, guiding learners toward a more holistic and fulfilling experience in achieving their goals.

Another critical aspect of blockbusting we explored is adopting the perspectives of various stakeholders to uncover challenges that were initially overlooked. By embracing diverse viewpoints, we conceived innovative solutions, such as involving 'informed others' who can immerse themselves in the learner's environment, and the idea of creating a collaborative 'tree' or 'galaxy.' In this setup, individuals work together to nurture shared goals, thereby increasing the stakes and the commitment to meeting those goals.

ANALYSIS/SYNTHESIS: What are your key takeaways from the knowledge and skill acquisition readings and activities and how are they informing your thinking about your project?

One of the paramount takeaways is the critical importance of meticulously defining the specific knowledge and skills we intend to impart to our learners. This precise definition serves as the foundation for designing and implementing learning activities that are targeted and highly relevant to the gaps we have identified in our learners' competencies.

This strategic process begins with a thorough analysis of our learners' current capabilities versus the desired outcomes. Understanding this gap allows us to tailor our educational content to bridge these discrepancies effectively. For instance, if our analysis reveals a gap in critical thinking skills, our learning activities can be designed to challenge learners in ways that stimulate analytical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to evaluate information critically.

Furthermore, ongoing assessment and feedback mechanisms play a crucial role in this process. By continuously evaluating the effectiveness of our learning activities and the progress of our learners, we can make informed adjustments to our educational strategies. This iterative process ensures that our approach remains responsive to the learners' evolving needs and the dynamic nature of the knowledge and skills we want to help the learners learn.

March 12, 2024

What ideas are you proposing for the learning experience you're designing based on Lovett's Model of Motivation and Salen/Zimmerman's Magic Circle? What role might form play in your ideas?

The principle of motivation diagram describes the impact of value and expectancy on learning and performance. Value and expectancy interact to generate, direct, and sustain goal-directed behavior that supports learning and performance. Establishing value, through factors like attainment value, intrinsic value e.g. satisfaction, and instrumental value e.g. goals, guides behavior toward a subject. Building positive expectancies that one is capable of achieving goals directs learning efforts. Together, value and expectancy lead to different types of motivated behavior, from work avoidance to finishing quickly with little effort, to desire for competency and self-improvement in learning. The environment also influences motivation - if it is perceived as supportive, it enhances motivated behavior.

The magic circle diagram explains the characteristics and benefits of moving in and out of the synthetic game world. Every game exists within a frame that communicates to players that a game is being played. This frame defines the synthetic world - an immersive environment where choices, rules, pathways, and feedback exist. The magic circle inscribes a space that is repeatable, limited, and limitless. Players must have a lusory attitude (willingness to accept the limitation of rules for pleasure) to enter into the magic circle and inhabit the synthetic world of a game. The magic circle leads to rich experiences and meanings in the real world by being an open system that can receive and pass energy to and from its environment.

The magic circle concept and principle of motivation model provide useful frameworks for designing an engaging, effective goal-setting and motivation app. Here's how those models could inform the app design:

Magic Circle - The app should create an immersive "magic circle" environment that feels distinct from the real world. When users enter the app, it should communicate that they are stepping into a special space dedicated to personal growth and goal achievement.

Some ways to establish this magic circle:

Unique visual design and color scheme that differs from other apps

Encouraging, energetic language and messaging

Ability to personalize goals, milestones, and rewards

Meaningful feedback and acknowledgment of progress

Narrative elements - users are the "hero" on a growth journey

Principle of Motivation - Motivation is critical for activating goal-directed behavior and persistence. The app should boost both value and expectancy to drive motivation.

Establishing value:

Encourage users to set meaningful, personally relevant SMART goals

Enable expression of intrinsic motivations (not just external rewards)

Provide a rationale for the importance & benefits of the goal

Building positive expectancy:

Break goals down into achievable milestones

Celebrate incremental progress

AI coaching that expresses confidence in the user

The environment of the app should feel supportive, not evaluative or stress-inducing. Interactions with the AI agents (cheerleader, coach, etc.) and the ability to personalize the experience aim to create a safe space for growth.

What ideas do you have for holding your learners' attention in meaningful ways throughout the experiences you design (reference class activities and readings as warranted)? What role might form play in your ideas?

The chapter ‘How do you get their attention’ by Dirksen discusses strategies for gaining and maintaining learners' attention in educational settings. The key points are:

To capture learners' attention, we need to appeal to both the rational, conscious mind (the "rider") and the emotional, intuitive mind (the "elephant").

Attracting initial attention is not the same as sustaining attention. Attention-grabbing elements should be intrinsic to the learning material to avoid distraction.

Effective ways to engage learners include using stories, creating emotional resonance, instilling a sense of urgency, introducing elements of surprise, and posing interesting puzzles to solve (omitting information to cause a gap).

Social interaction and visual cues are powerful for attracting and maintaining attention.

Competition and extrinsic rewards can capture attention but often distract from learning goals and undermine intrinsic motivation. They should be used cautiously if at all.

Intrinsic rewards, such as satisfaction from the learning activity itself, acquiring new capabilities, and anticipating using new skills, are ideal motivators but require providing learners with autonomy and choice.

The key is appealing to emotion and intellect through intrinsically motivating content and activities. This informs the design of the PlanPal app in several ways:

Storytelling - we should consider using storytelling elements within the app, such as presenting planning and productivity concepts through relatable scenarios or case studies. This can help users connect emotionally with the content and maintain interest.

Emotional resonance - design the app's user interface and content to evoke positive emotions, such as a sense of accomplishment, control, or growth. Use language and visuals that inspire and motivate users to engage with the app and their goals.

Urgency and surprise - incorporate features that create a sense of urgency, such as reminders, deadlines, or time-sensitive challenges. Surprise users with unexpected rewards, insights, or new features to maintain engagement.

Interesting puzzles - Gamify the goal-setting and task-management process by presenting them as puzzles or challenges to solve. This can make the planning process more engaging and satisfying for users.

Social interaction - Include social features that allow users to collaborate, share their progress, or compete with friends. This can foster a sense of community and accountability, encouraging users to stay engaged with the app.

Visual cues - Use appealing visuals, such as progress bars, charts, or icons, to communicate information and guide users through the app. Well-designed visual elements can attract and maintain attention while enhancing the app's usability.

Intrinsic rewards - Focus on intrinsic rewards, such as the satisfaction of completing tasks, reaching milestones, or improving productivity. Provide users with autonomy and choices in setting their goals and managing their tasks to enhance intrinsic motivation.