1. LEARNING PLANS & TEACHING
NOTES
WIDS Workshop
Lisa Banks
Robert Benard

2. Learning Plans
A learning plan links core abilities,
competencies, and learning objectives with
learning activities and performance
assessments. In other words, a learning plan
links what learners will learn to do with how
they will learn and when they will know they
have achieved learning.

3. Top Ten Questions Teachers Hate to
Hear
1. How could I fail? I wasn’t here.
2. Will this be on the test?
3. What do I need to pass this class?
4. What chapter are we on?
5. Are we doing anything important today?
6. Is this going to be graded?
7. When am I ever going to use this?
8. Do I have to write this down?
9. Can I do extra credit?
10. (Immediately after taking test) Do you know my grade yet?
Learning plans should help answer some of these
questions!

4. Learning Plans (the learning
cycle)
When considering activities that are part of
learning plans, we should consider the
learning cycle.

5. Learning Plans (the learning
cycle)
Stage 1 – Motivation
In the motivation stage, teachers and trainers need to do the
following:
 Facilitate the attention process.
 Inspire individuals to learn.
 Answer the question, “Why do I need or want to learn this
material?”

6. Learning Plans (the learning
cycle)
Stage 2 – Comprehension
In the comprehension stage, learners process content in their
working memories. Teachers and trainers facilitate this
process by teaching necessary information learners need to
perform the target skill.
At the beginning of this stage, learners integrate why they need
to learn from their experience in the motivation stage with a
clear understanding of what they will learn.
With a clear understanding of what they will learn and why they
should learn it, individuals are ready to learn the content
embedded in the competency.

7. Learning Plans (the learning
cycle)
Stage 3 – Practice
In the practice stage, learners practice learned information. It is
recommended that this stage begins with demonstration and
then the instructors role is to guide learners as they practice.

8. Learning Plans (the learning
cycle)
Stage 4 - Application
In the application stage, learners apply what they have learned
to real world problems. Teachers and trainers play a
secondary role, as a coach, while learners play an active role.

9. Teaching Notes
Teaching notes are to assist an instructor with
necessary details for activities within a plan.
Teaching notes normally would not be shared
with students.