A learning activity that is not carefully planned and structured can confuse and discourage learners. As educators, our challenge is to use activities in a way that will motivate learners, and help them to achieve worthwhile learning outcomes. If activities don’t motivate and encourage learners, learners will try to find ways not to do them!When planning an activity, I suggest that you ask yourself the following four ‘big’ questions:

1. WHO is the activity for?
2. WHY are they doing it?
3. HOW will they do it?
4. WILL they really do it, and want to do more?

These questions will focus your thinking and guide you as you develop the activity. When you have a rough draft of the activity, ask yourself further questions which will help you to refine it. These questions are only suggestions. You may want to change them or add some of your own. If you need further information about these things, you might like to refer to The Teacher in the Classroom and other relevant books in the series Teacher Education: Routes to Competency published by Francolin Publishers.

Cross-curricular outcomes

Also remember that, when you are creating activities, all the educational experiences must work towards achieving the critical outcomes. These critical outcomes briefly state that learning should help people:

• Communicate
• Solve problems
• Organize and manage themselves
• Work with others
• Work critically with information
• Use science and technology effectively and responsibly
• Understand inter-relationships and systems.

• Think about their learning
• Become active and responsible citizens with a cultural and aesthetic sensitivity
• Explore career opportunities
• Develop entrepreneurial skills