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Main Body

Toolpack D – Strengthen Alignment Across Time

I will use this toolpack when…

I want my activities to feel connected and reinforce the bigger picture. 

Purpose

Help you turn isolated exercises into a series of steps that echo your core course goals—so every class feels like part of a unified journey, not random bits.

Why it matters

Disconnected “one‑off” tasks leave students asking “Why are we doing this?” A coherent sequence builds confidence, clarity, and the ability to apply learning in new contexts.

When to grab it

• Students ask, “How does this relate to the rest of the course?”
• You’re planning a project or multi‑week unit.

What’s inside

  1. Where Is the Whole? Reflection Tool (MS Word doc)
    • A rapid, four‑prompt worksheet to diagnose whether any given task stands alone or clearly ties back to your course’s core intent.
  2. Disconnected vs Coherent Design Visual Aid (MS Word doc)
    • A side‑by‑side infographic contrasting disconnected “one‑off” tasks with self‑similar, coherence‑driven designs that echo the whole.
  3. Coherence Alignment Grid (MS Word doc)
    • A three‑column planner to map one key concept into a small‑scale, mid‑scale, and full‑scale task—all sharing the same core learning pattern.
  4. Core Concept Sequencer (MS Word doc)
    • A concise list of four principles for revisiting, varying, and layering your core ideas so each iteration deepens and extends learning.
  5. Transfer Check-in Tool (MS Word doc)
    • A structured exit-ticket tool instructors can use to assess whether a task supports future learning and transfer. The five prompts help reveal how students are making sense of today’s work and where they see connections—or don’t.

 

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To the extent possible under law, Joel MacDonald has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to The Design-Align Process, except where otherwise noted.

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