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Instructional Design and Engaged Learning

Module Five - Building Lessons Around Choices

One strategy that engages learners in original thought - thereby addressing the goals of the Training and Doctrine Command - is the posing of choices. The task of the instructor is to pose a challenge and point the learners to information that should help them make a wise decision.

In the area of medicine, some choices are clear cut, simple and easily memorized. Others may require considerably more judgment and involve much less certainty. In determining the best treatment for breast cancer or prostate cancer, for example, there may be considerable variance as to the best course of action for a particular patient.

The Web allows us to simulate decision-making, involving our students in figuring out the best choice for a particular situation.

These kinds of learning experiences, when relying upon digital resources, might be called "Slam Dunk Digital Lessons." They can be brief (as short as a 40 minute session) and yet challenging. They are engaging but heavily structured and efficient.

On the Net, what can we believe and what can we trust?

In this next activity, you will identify one type of cancer a soldier may need to know about, either because she or he has been diagnosed with that cancer or has a spouse, parent or child with that cancer.


Instructions . . .

What are five very good information sources about (type) cancer?

1. In order to pick the five resources, you must first decide upon the criteria that apply here. What are the 5-6 six traits of a good cancer resource for soldiers?
2. Go to Advanced Google and sort through the millions of Web pages that result when you search for the cancer you have selected. Apply the criteria you developed above to help cull your findings.

3. Finally, create an annotated list of your five sites, providing the name of each site, its URL and several sentences explaining why it might be worthy of a visit.

Good Web Sites for **** Cancer
Name of Site URL
Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/PT99999
This Web site provides all of the basic information you need to know about prostate cancer. It answers the question, "What is prostate cancer?" and helps you understand the symptoms and diagnosis of prostate cancer and other prostate problems.

4. What other choices can you identify that might provide the focus for a strong lesson?

Next module. Please do not proceed until asked to do so by the workshop leader.

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