Instructional design/Technology-based lessons/Elements of a good TBL

Elements of a TBL

To take a TBCL and turn it into a successful TBL is not difficult. To complete this task, one must first be able to recognize the key elements that comprise a TBL.

Original TBCL	Improvement for TBL
Material being taught is enhanced with technology	Integrated Technology
Provides chance for more information to be learned	Expand Information Sources
Learner stays within primary learning goal	Able to exceed goal
Gains relevant information	Students choose relevant information
Students display information through test scores	Students own way to display knowledge

Tectonics as a TBL

Below you will again see the lesson. However, this time there will be technology integrated in place of book work.

Teacher Says	Teacher Shows
Students, we are going to go over these few slides of powerpoint notes that you will need to complete our next project.	Click to view example slides.
Here is a list of various tectonic events from around the world. You will pick one for your project.	Click to view the topics.
On my teacher webpage, you will find a list of websites hyperlinked that you may find valuable while you search for your information. We will be going to the computer lab all week to complete this project.
You can choose to present your information in a variety of ways, such as powerpoint, video, or a combination of the two
You will be graded according the these guidelines.	click to view the guidelines.

TBL Checklist

To ensure that the lesson is a TBL, once can follow this rubric to see if the lesson has the key elements of a TBL.

Topic	4	3	2	1
Does the technology enhance the material to be learned?
Does the technology provide the chance for more information to be learned?
Does using technology help the learner stay with their primary goal?
Does technology help the student to gain more relevant information?
Does technology help the student show what they have learned in an acceptable way?

Excellent technology lesson: 18-20 points

Acceptable technology lesson: 15-17 points

Needs revised lesson: 11-14 points

Rethink is this is the best way to teach it: 7-10 points

Not based on technology: 0-6 points

Now, it's your turn

Take a moment to grade the above lesson on the rubric. Decide on a grade you would give this TBL based on the above rubric.

Example TBL graded against checklist

The tectonics lesson is graded against the rubric now to ensure that all key elements are there.

Topic	4	3	2	1
Does the technology enhance the material to be learned?	X
Does the technology provide the chance for more information to be learned?	X
Does using technology help the learner stay with their primary goal?	X
Does technology help the student to gain more relevant information?	X
Does technology help the student show what they have learned in an acceptable way?	X

As you can see from the checklist above, this lesson scores a 20/20 on the technology rubric for a good technology based lesson.

This lesson has technology available both in the research and presentation phases of the project that allow the user the freedom to enhance their knowledge the way they see fit.

By allowing this open format, the students are able to gather more information than what is required through the scope of the project and cater to their own particular interests.

Since the primary goal of the project is to enhance the users knowledge of plate tectonics, this project definitely allows that to happen.

Since it is a web-based project with approved websites provided by the instructor, the student has maximum opportunities to learn information that they find interesting.

Finally, since the student is allowed to display their information in a variety of technology based ways, they have an appropriate and creative outlet to showcase this information.

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5. Elements of a good TBL

6. Create Your TBL