During this 4 hour workshop, participants from different backgrounds work together to create the framework of a new course. The format brings together learners, faculty and outside subject matter experts.

1. Course Design
Workshop

2. Schedule
1:00pm – 1:30pm: Lunch and Welcome
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Course Purpose and Content
2:30pm – 3:00pm: Learning Goals
3:15pm – 4:30pm: Instruction
4:30pm – 4:45pm: Summary and Evaluation

3. Workshop Goals
Design a one-day workshop for local elected officials
• Decide what is important and why: motivation and content
• Decide what counts: learning goals
• Decide how to deliver: instruction
Plan and structure 6 hours of instructional activities

4. Course Design Contract
For clients / external experts:
• Don’t focus on what exists
• Don’t assume we already know
• Be as concrete as possible
• There is no wrong idea
• Help us prioritize
For instructors:
• Be open
• Listen as much possible
• Ask for examples and
clarification
• Respond to questions
• Provide background when
needed

5. Special Roles
• The faculty will give a brief intro about the course.
• The facilitator will guide you through a series of exercises.
• The recorder will log your discussion.

6. Introduction to Course __________
Spend 10 minutes to learn about the course / get on the
same page:
• Faculty member provides purpose, learning objectives and
possible content.
• Your handout contains a brief course description.
Your ideas will help shape or change the course plan.

7. Why we need your help
As an instructor….
• It is often hard to go back to beginner’s mind.
• It is often difficult to let go of your favorites.
• It is not always obvious how learners approach the
topic.
We are not in your shoes!

8. Overview of Workshop Process
The course design is organized into 3 sections:
1. Course Purpose and Content
2. Learning Outcomes
3. Instruction

9. Understanding Context: Exercise
What’s on your plate right now?
• Duration 5 minutes
• Reflect on your current
professional context.
• Which problems related to
____________ are on your plate
right now?

10. Understanding Context: Exercise
Switch plates
• Duration 10 minutes
• Switch plates with your neighbor.
• Are your problems similar or not?
• What type of learning experience
and learning content
could help you solve these problems?
Present selected plates / solutions

11. Purpose and Content: Questions
• Why offer elected officials education and training in ____________?
• How will it help them better fulfill their public responsibilities?
• What learning and knowledge content should be included?
• How should the purpose and content of this course be described?
Reflect individually and discuss as a group (20 min).

12. Leadership skills in Action: Exercise
• Look at the problems local
elected officials have ‘on
their plate.’
• Describe what leaders will
know and will be able to do
after taking this course.
• Share / discuss /group
• Duration: 30 minutes
Knowledge
Behavior
Attitudes
Skills

13. Summary: Course Concept
Faculty member / recorder take 10 minutes to summarize
• Course purpose
• Content
• Learning goals Here is what I heard; is
that what you said?
What else do you want
me to know?

14. Instruction: Exercise
• Form 2 groups
• Assign specific learning goals /
content areas to group
• Groups use Lego bricks and plates
to build course structure
• Plan up to 3 hours of instruction
time
• Duration 40 minutes

15. Instruction: Exercise – LEGO
30 minutes
15 minutes
1 hour
Participants

16. Example
Present
results 15
min.
Small Group
45 min.
Lecture
60 min.

17. Instruction: Exercise
Alternatively / in addition: Use
play dough, figures, paper signs
and post-its to build your ideas

18. Example

19. Summary: Course Schedule
• Both groups present their ideas.
• Recorder arranges them in a course schedule.
• Approx. 20 minutes

20. Instruction: Questions
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
• How should this knowledge be organized, presented, taught and
learned?
• How can elected officials be engaged in learning?
• How can they express, demonstrate, and put into action what they
have learned?
10 minutes group discussion.

21. Documentation & Feedback
• Results / images will be shared
• Please provide feedback about course design experience!