Summit-First Framework Five-Part Series: Part 2, Trail Markers
Imagine being asked to factor this simple quadratic x2 - 3x + 2 = 0 using the trial-and-error method when you don’t know what an “x” means. Or, maybe you don’t know anything about negative numbers yet. Or, maybe you are so new to math that you don’t even know what the symbols “3” or “2” mean. You aren’t likely going to be able to be successful in learning the factoring process because there is just too much you don’t know about the basic parts.
I once took an online course like that. All the content was on the final summit destination concepts with no supporting material leading up to the big goal. I couldn’t possibly succeed.
Last week, you learned how to create a learner summit destination; now it’s time to learn about posting trail markers along the way to that destination to ensure learners stay on the trail.
You want to lead the learner through all the lesser concepts they need to be successful in the course with trail markers. Ask yourself: “What are the smaller accomplishments learners need to complete to be successful with the course's summit destination demonstration?"
So, in this math example, let’s say the learner does understand number symbols. Your trail markers might be formed as:
This lesson teaches you:
- How to combine positive and negative numbers.
- The meaning of the symbol “x.”
- How to identify the parts of a quadratic.
- The trial-and-error factoring process for simple quadratics.
- The process for factoring the first term (the quadratic term).
- The process for factoring the middle term (the linear term).
- The process for factoring the third term (the constant term).
- Testing the result.
This lets the learner know what they have to learn along the way to be successful at the end. It gives them markers to communicate to them they are having successes along the way and are on the right path.
Disclaimer: My apologies to anyone with math anxiety
for not giving you a trigger warning.
And, for those geeky enough to care,
the answer is (x – 2)(x – 1).
Now, this is a linear example: step one must happen before step two and so on. Trail markers are necessary for content that isn’t linear as well.
For example, for a course on caring for your teeth, you might learn about brushing, flossing, and using a water pick. You can learn those in any order, and you still need to provide clear trail markers identifying the learning goals. You can see how all three of those combined will lead a person to a learner summit destination of having the skills and knowledge necessary for good dental care. As learners pass each marker, they know they are getting closer to their goal of maintaining healthy teeth.
Imagine yourself setting out for a long hike to a mountain summit. Let’s say you don’t have any GPS tracking device and after 30 minutes or so on the same, flat terrain, you start to wonder if you are heading the right direction.
What do you do? You’ll start to look for trail markers that confirm you are on the right path, and if you are especially fortunate, the markers might tell you how far you’ve gone and how much farther you have to reach the summit. This reassures and relaxes you to enjoy the journey.
Every marker you pass is a little reward letting you know you’re making progress toward your destination. You want to provide the same kind of markers of success for your learners.
The great part about writing these is you already know how (that is if you read last week’s blog Getting to Waterfalls, Ice Cream, and Course Summit Destinations). They follow the same process.
Ask yourself: What does the learner need to be able to do at each of these trail markers? How can they demonstrate that in real actions? Write that down. Form a single destination statement for each trail marker.
I encourage you to stop right now and think of the course you wrote the summit destination for and draft trail markers for that. If you’d like a worksheet for recording these, sign up for the newsletter and take the free Summit-First Framework Course where you can access the provided resources.
Next week, we answer the questions:
“How do I know how much content to put in my course?” and
“How do I know what content to include and what to leave out?”
Want a fillable worksheet and guide?
In the free Summit-First Framework course, I provide you with a fillable worksheet and form to guide you through all 5 steps. If you haven’t registered yet, you can do by filling out the form below.
Would you like more guidance on how to create your Trail Markers?
Watch for the launch of the course Trail Markers: Summit-First Framework Step 2.
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