Designing to the Edges

During the Industrial Revolution, statistical averages became the benchmark for measuring human potential. The "average" person is born. That "average" is considered "normal." Working with an average enables scale. Averages are used to design and define everything we create to provide broader access to products and services, including education and learning environments.

The problem is that "average" doesn't exist. Modern science shows us that, because we are highly variable, averages don't effectively measure individual talent. All of us have a jagged learning profile. If we measure our individual potential, the result will be a unique collection of strengths and weaknesses for each of us.

Learning environments designed on average, are designed for nobody. Instruction designed for the "average" destroys talent.

We need to incubate and grow talent of the broadest kind to thrive in the 21st century.

Example Strategies for Designing to the Edges

Accessing the content being presented.

Reading
Listening

Primary Language
Printed Text
Digital Text (can change font, size, color) Braille
Text-to-Speech
Audio Books
Songs
Videos
Captioning
Transcripts
Personal FM Systems
Illustrations, Graphics
Charts
Diagrams
Graphic Novels
Storyboards
Animations
Simulations
Physical Manipulatives
Virtual Manipulatives
Printed 3D Models
Vocabulary Strategies:
- - Pre-teach Vocabulary & Symbols
  - Clarify Unfamiliar Syntax
  - Etymology of New Terms
  - Diagram Complex Terms & Expressions

Interacting with the content to gain knowledge and understanding.

Integration (sequencing, organizing, summarizing)

Dictionary
Thesaurus
Word Walls
Word Maps
Linear Arrays
Vocabulary Notebooks
Concept Maps
Graphic Organizers
Mind Maps
Timelines
Advance Organizers
Text Annotations
Activate Background Knowledge
Relevance
Making Personal Connections
Collaborative Activities
Cooperative Learning Strategies
Comprehension Strategies:
- - K-W-L
  - Compare-Contrast
  - Story Maps
  - Previewing
  - Central Idea/Details
  - Questioning
  - Predicting
  - Summarizing
  - Making Inferences

Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the content.

Writing
Speaking

Writing
Typing
Speech-to-Text
Drawing & Painting
Illustrations
Presentations
Stories
Essays
Poems
Comics
Storyboards
Film/Video
Sculpture, Modeling, 3D Printing
Animation
Dance
Debate
Diorama
Game Design
Puppet Show
Demonstration Supports:
- - Word Walls & Word Maps
  - Linear Arrays
  - Sentence Starters
  - Story Webs
  - Templates
  - Guided Questions
  - Checklists

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