Scheduled maintenance on AMTA's website will take place Tuesday, December 17th between 11 PM thru Wednesday, December 18th 6 AM CT. Some services will be temporarily unavailable. These include logging in/account and course access, membership/course purchases, and Find a Massage Therapist searches. Information and resources remain available. Thank you for your patience while we improve our site to serve you better.

Nuts and Bolts: Basic Elements of Instructional Design
Master the Classroom for Massage Educators

Nuts and Bolts: Basic Elements of Instructional Design

Author(s): Laura Putnam, MA

3.5CE credits 13 Lessons Text

Learn how to design an effective and exciting class. The first part introduces the standard instructional design model called the ADDIE model. It also includes a working knowledge of relevant learning theories. Then there is an examination of the seven basic elements of instructional design—how to build a lesson plan. Finally, this course provides tips on how to make learning fun and engaging.

Note: While this last section may seem trivial, it’s not. When it comes to learning, fun matters. The more enjoyable the learning session is, the more likely participants will be engaged. The more engaged they are, the more they’ll learn, retain and apply!

This course provides the tools needed to create effective and engaging classes. It includes learning theory, the basics of instructional design, and tips on how to make learning fun and engaging. When you finish this course you will be able to: 

  • Define the five steps of the ADDIE model.
  • Explain Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation.
  • Describe the most valuable of the four forms of learner-centered instruction.
  • Assess three ways to introduce learning and the eight intelligences behind them.
  • State how the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy give depth to learning.
  • Delineate and apply at least two of the seven basic elements of instructional design when designing courses.
  • Cite an example of learning objectives that demonstrate ability, value, awareness and motivation.
  • Describe the role of assessments in meaningful learning.
  • Explain what depth of learning is usually achieved by using each of the three frameworks described in this course.
  • Identify appropriate learning activities to integrate into selected frameworks.
  • Evaluate the importance of fun, group learning and participant engagement in successful learning.

  1. Instructional Design Model—ADDIE
  2. Adult Learning
  3. Methods of Learning
  4. How Groups and Intelligence Affect Learning
  5. Lesson Planning—Laying the Groundwork
  6. Constructing Learning Objectives
  7. Broadening the Approach to Learning Objectives
  8. Building Assessments
  9. Organizing Content
  10. Designing Learning Activities
  11. Integrating the Lesson Plan
  12. Making Learning Fun
  13. References

Laura Putnam, MA, is the Founder and CEO of Motion Infusion, Inc., (www.motioninfusion.com) a consulting firm that provides presentations, workshops and advice to academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and Fortune 500 companies on learning and wellness concepts. She speaks regularly at national and international conferences, and conducts international trainings and workshops in Africa, Central America and the United States.

Laura is an expert in learning theories, enacting behavioral change, and building a healthy organizational culture. She leads workshops on a variety of topics, including instructional design, differentiated learning, critical thinking, innovation and creativity, leadership development, and team building.

Before founding Motion Infusion, Inc., Laura was a high school history teacher and educational reform advocate, as well as executive director of a youth-leadership organization. In the area of public policy, she worked with the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She draws her expertise in movement and health from her experience as a nationally competitive collegiate gymnast, professional dancer, and certified Pilates and fitness instructor.

Laura holds a Bachelor's degree from Stanford University in International Relations and a Masters in Education from Brown University. She is fluent in French and conversant in Spanish and Italian. Laura can be contacted at laura@motioninfusion.com.