In planning instructional activities, what should be the first consideration?

Determining the overall objectives and standards is fundamental in planning instructional activities because it establishes a clear goal for both the instructor and the students. When objectives and standards are set first, they act as a guiding framework that informs the design of the instructional content, methods, and assessment strategies. This clarity helps ensure that all subsequent elements of the instruction align with the desired learning outcomes.

Focusing on objectives and standards allows the instructor to prioritize what is essential for student learning and helps in measuring progress throughout the instructional period. Without this critical first step, subsequent activities and learning blocks may lack coherence, making it challenging to evaluate whether the educational goals are being met.

While establishing common ground and identifying blocks of learning are also important steps in the instructional design process, they naturally follow the determination of the overall objectives. Understanding where students and instructors converge helps facilitate effective communication and engagement, but these connections are enhanced when both parties are working towards clearly defined goals. Similarly, breaking down the overall objectives into manageable learning blocks comes after having a comprehensive view of what those objectives entail.