![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/brushes.05d17fb6.jpg)
Evidence of Design Qualities
Based on Philip Schlechty's work @ the Schlechty Center
What are the Design Qualities
- Content & Substance - what are the students going to learn? the standards/guidelines that curriculum aligns to & level of student interest
- Organization of Knowledge - the way work is organized, planning pacing
- Clear & Compelling Product Standards - can students speak to what they are doing?
- Protection from Adverse Consequences - students feel safe & secure to take risks
- Product Focus - student created product, exhibition, or performance
- Affirmation - work is visible to others
- Affiliation - work in teams
- Novelty & Variety - something new, providing a variety of media and resources
- Choice - students have options & choices about how they work, how they learn
- Authenticity - is the work authentically interesting to the student?
Why is using Design Qualities a High Yield Strategy?
Design Qualities are all about fostering and increasing student engagement. When students are engaged, truly engaged, they are more likely to learn at deeper levels. That means a greater volume of what is learned actually gets stored into long term memory. Students who are engaged can also transfer/generalize their learning to different contexts (aka make connections).
What could using Design Qualities look like at Lawson?
It looks like students authentically engaged in learning, both lessons & activities.
Example of Affirmation: Students are allowed to display their work in the building where many will see their efforts & recognize them for their achievements.
Example of Choice: Students choose centers from a variety of high interest, guideline aligned centers.
Example of Authenticity: A student that loves a certain picture book will engage in a learning activity at a deeper level if the book is used as a part of the designed activity
Example of Novelty & Variety: Centers contain a variety of high interest/novel materials and activities for students to access.
Interested in Time to Design????
Want to incorporate Design Qualities more frequently into your lessons? Want time to design? Contact Heidi with your ideas and requests.
Design Specifications
Thinking as a Designer
Kindergarten Example of Engaging Lesson
Design Qualities