Number of tools in design.

How many tools should we use when designing a course? Well, one answer would be that the more tools the better. It keeps things feeling fresh and new while offering different was to learn. It gives more flexibility to the teacher in how things can be presented. But, just a few tools can be better. It creates a feeling of consistency and allows for the mastery of the tool to really shine. Instead of showing the flexibility of using multiple tools, the teacher can show the flexibility of the tool itself. It keeps students from constantly seeing new things that can be unstable to their learning experience.

So, which is better? It isn’t about how many tools you should use; it is about using them effectively and to accomplish the learning goals. If you want the students to learn about ABC, then you need to use tools to do that. How many tools? One. Twenty. It is all about personal teaching style. Some teachers will become good at using some tools. Those tools would be more effective for them. Can you learn new tools and use them? Yes, but that isn’t the point. The point is that it isn’t about how many tools you use. I personally don’t ever think: Hmmm how many tools am I using? I just create lessons and design what I need accomplished with whatever tools I feel would work the best. Some weeks I may use two dozen tools and other weeks maybe only five. We need to make sure we don’t put some arbitrary number on how many tools we need to use.

Now, if we are designing an entire course and not just a lesson, then most likely many tools will be used. But some tools should be used repeatedly to create stability while others used sparingly so as not to overwhelm the students. This may be different depending up the grade level it is being designed for. Again, I think moderation is always the best way. The problem is some peoples viewpoint is so skewed, they think they are moderate, when they are leaning to an extreme.