The Purposeful Learning Framework TM, a free and Open Education Resource (OER), is our guidepost for developing great instructional design-driven learning experiences. Our framework puts people at the center of everything we do and sets the stage for learners to succeed, through empathy and courses that are social and humanized while promoting equity and inclusion. The Purposeful Learning Framework TM is the result of learning science, 30 years of proven practice, research, and development of learning experiences by the O’Donnell Learn team and Dr. Brett Christie’s work with universal design for learning and 1000s of instructors at the California State University System.
O’Donnell Learn’s unique approach to learning elevates traditional instructional design practices and forms the foundation of our design principles. Our designers use the framework as they partner with faculty to evolve teaching and learning experiences. In addition, all of our products are designed on the Purposeful Learning Framework TM foundation for easy adoption by instructors, educators, and institutions seeking to improve the success of the greatest number and diversity of students.
THE EIGHT ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE LEARNING
Close the gap between learning, technology, and people.
Welcome & Introduction Orientation, Socialization, Expectations
Humanizing & Learner Empathy Presence, Perspectives, Connections
Outcomes-Aligned Assessment Meaningful, Measurable, Attainable
Class as Community Voice, Agency, Relationships
Active & Authentic Learning Engaging, Applied, Relevant
Accessible Content & Technology Accessibility, Usability, Affordability
Intentional Instruction Chunked, Sequenced, Explicit
Equity & Inclusion Diversity, Access, Belonging
Orientation, Socialization, Expectations
Presence, Perspectives, Connections
Meaningful, Measurable, Attainable
Voice, Agency, Relationships
Engaging, Applied, Relevant
Accessibility, Usability, Affordability
Chunked, Sequenced, Explicit
Diversity, Access, Belonging
The "now normal" way of learning is based heavily in virtual or hybrid learning environments. In these environments, instructional design often focuses on the use of technology instead of the human elements and delivery of the learning experience. The Purposeful Learning FrameworkTM, is grounded in learning science and balances functional best practices (shown on the left) with the delivery of humanized and inclusive experiences (shown on the right).
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR APPROACH TO INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNTHE PURPOSEFUL LEARNING CHECK
Roadmap empathy-first learning experiences
The Purposeful Learning Check is designed to guide you by encouraging you to reflect on your course and your student's different learning experiences. While other instruments tend to be more evaluative and heavily focused on course design, the Purposeful Learning Check serves an iterative process of creating learner-centric experiences which are facilitated in an engaging, humanizing, and inclusive manner. In about 20 minutes, you'll understand how your instruction maps along with the Purposeful Learning FrameworkTM and have a roadmap with tools to modify your course structure based on which of the Eight Elements of Effective Learning most apply to you. You’ll begin to approach instructional design with a new perspective.
PURPOSEFUL LEARNING CHECK During this process, you'll be asked to consider 30 objectives related to a humanized course. Aligned with your reflection, you'll have the opportunity to take notes that will then be compiled into a Purposeful Course Enhancement Plan. This will help you analyze your results and make changes based on what is most important to you and most beneficial to your students. The best way to develop your instruction plan is incrementally—pick an area of interest or new approach and start there.
