Orientation

Orientation assists a learner in gaining an overview of a subject and its environment from a certain point of view. The learner obtains information on a certain subject but may not yet be in a position to use this knowledge, in other words, the learner cannot apply the knowledge in any way. Orientation should awaken interest in a subject.

History

The history provides background information about a subject or puts it into historical perspective. Historical processes and contexts assist orientation in a complex area.

The history should, as briefly as possible, explain the difference from the current situation.

Scenario

A scenario provides a model overview of a subject usually derived from a real-life situation or based on an actual situation.

Facts

Facts are objective descriptions of objects, events, and contexts in consolidated form. This includes, for example, time specifications, numbers and so on.

Summary

A summary is a short, concise representation of a subject that is treated in detail elsewhere.

Overview

An overview is the presentation of a subject in broad, general terms. An overview covers the main criteria pertaining to a subject but provides no detailed information.

Practical instruction

Action or practical instruction comprises the skills that enable a learner to perform certain actions or work steps. This includes methods, techniques, and general practices. The learner receives information about objectives, procedures to apply, methods and means needed for the implementation, check measures and so on.

Rule

Rules are concrete instructions that frequently take the form “If... then...“. When you formulate rules, you should specify prerequisites, specific instructions, and possibly also exceptions and control options.

Procedure

A procedure contains the individual steps in a process. This can be the presentation of a process that runs independently or of an agreed procedure.

Checklist

A checklist contains the criteria that are used for control purposes when carrying out an action. Checklists should be structured in such a way that the user can easily see what criteria have already been checked.

Principle

A principle is a comprehensive, generally applicable fundamental law upon which rules are based.

Strategy

A strategy defines generally applicable instructions for action. Alternative instructions may be given if the necessary conditions are fulfilled.

Explanation

Explanatory knowledge provides background facts and arguments for a subject, explaining why something is as it is. The learner receives scientifically based explanations, contextual information such as cause and effect, means and intention, and so on. Explanatory knowledge should put the learner in a position to independently understand and explain connections, and apply them in other contexts.

WhyExplanation

The why explanation describes the reason for or purpose of an action. It provides functional reasons and arguments for a subject.

WhatExplanation

The what explanation provides a detailed explanation of a subject, or a description of an object, for example a function description.

Definition

A definition describes a concrete or abstract term by specifying all of its identifying characteristics. A term can be defined on the basis of how it differs from another or others belonging to the same subject area.

Example

An example explains a subject or a term using a model or a typical case.

Reference material

Reference material contains notes about other sources of information regarding a given subject. The question of whether and what additional reference material should be made available to the learner should be decided at the course design stage.