MobileMind content starts with a course and then leads to using those courses in badges and learning paths.
MobileMind Structure Overview: Smallest to largest
- Micro-course: A micro-course is a bite-sized learning experience that targets a single skill or concept, or perhaps two or three skills / concepts that are closely related.
- Badge: Badges are generally awarded for demonstrating competency of a particular skill or set of skills around a specific topic, concept, or tool. Usually badges are awarded for successfully completing a small group of related micro-courses.
- Learning Path: A learning path is a collection of themed micro-courses that are logically sequenced for learners to achieve an overarching learning goal. These are generally more comprehensive than a badge, and a certificate is awarded upon completion of the learning path.
Micro-Courses
What is a Micro-Course?
A micro-course is a bite-sized learning experience that targets a single skill or concept, or perhaps two or three skills / concepts that are closely related.
Notice in the example of how we have isolated some key skills required to use Google Classroom effectively:
How long should my micro-courses take to complete?
On average, a micro-course created by MobileMind takes about 10-15 mins to complete, but your district may choose to create courses that may take a bit longer.
Ideally, these will include short videos (MobileMind uses 5 mins-or-less rule), and the learner will complete a challenge that is submitted for automatic or human feedback. That said, this can certainly vary depending on the needs of your district.
The total time it takes to complete a micro-course can range from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the challenge task. For instance, if the challenge is performance-based (exs: Build a Google Site webpage for Parent Open House; Create a Slides presentation to introduce a Project-Based Learning unit), the task may take a bit longer than more basic micro-courses with a quick multiple-choice question.
What are some examples of micro-courses?
- Google Classroom: Create a Classroom
- Google Classroom: Add your Students
- Google Classroom: Create an Announcement
- Writing in Science: Intro to the CER Framework
- SEL: Using Forms for Student Check-Ins
- Strategies for Engaging Students in live video sessions
- Mandated Reporting: What you need to know…
- SAMR: Redefinition
- Nearpod: Creating an Advanced Lesson
- Math: Using Digital Manipulatives in Slides
- Doc Cams 1: Set Up
- Close Reading 101
Badges
What are badges?
Badges are generally awarded for demonstrating competency of a particular skill or set of skills around a specific topic, concept, skill, or tool. Badges may also be awarded to recognize level of mastery, so to speak, based on the level of difficulty represented in the included micro-courses.
(Exs: Promethean Beginner, Nearpod Expert, Forms Whiz)
How many micro-courses are included in one badge?
While this is totally up to your district, MobileMind badges awarding badges typically include a small collection of related courses - or even a single course.
What are some examples of badges?
Example 1:
- Classroom Apprentice (consists of 3 micro-courses where we guide educators to successfully create a new Google Classroom, add students to the class, and create an announcement) Note: This badge is awarded upon successful completion of the 3 micro-courses in blue from the “micro-courses” section above.
Example 2:
- Go With the Flow (consists of 3 micro-courses where teachers learn the basics of teaching in a virtual environment.)
Learning Paths
What is a learning path?
A learning path is a collection of themed micro-courses that are logically sequenced for learners to achieve an overarching learning goal. Leaders can set goals with due dates for learning paths, and even designate prerequisite learning paths if desired.
How is a learning path different from a badge?
Learning paths are generally more comprehensive than a badge and might work toward a longer-range goal, such as mastering a particular concept or tool, preparing for a certification of some kind, or fully understanding the basics or foundations of a concept. These are typically more robust than badges, as you can include descriptions, introductory videos, and more.
The example below shows a “Google Basics” learning path, which helps educators build the foundational skills needed to get started with Google Workspace for Education.
