> [!summary]+ Summary > This page describes the core concept, design, and development of the first Application Period at the MIT-Skoltech initiative. This was my first big experience project managing across multiple stakeholders. # Designing a learning experience for applying knowledge and skills > "*Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was.*" > — [Theodore von Kármán](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_von_Kármán) This von Kármán quote was something that I first heard at MIT. It was something commonly repeated in meetings and presentations. The Application Period (AP) of the MIT-Skotech pedagogical model was the framework for bringing this to reality. The goal was to create conditions in the learning experience to meaningfully practice prototyping, teaming, and selling the idea as if pitching a new product. I joined the MIT Skoltech Program about 2 years after its founding. When I came in the door, the education program was just beginning. The master's programs were known, the high-level learning objectives framework and other steering documents were established. In addition to getting the first courses launched, we need to get the first AP launched. **This was one of my assignments.** ## High-Level Learning Outcomes (HLLO) Framework All aspects of educational planning and instructional design were guided by the HLLO Framework. This framework comprised of 4 core outcomes. 1. Developing **disciplinary knowledge and reasoning** 2. Developing **personal attributes – thinking, beliefs, and values** 3. Developing abilities **relating to other – communication and collaboration** 4. Developing abilities in **leading the innovation process** It was not expected that all learning experiences includes these. But they should include some. <div class="container"><iframe class="responsive-iframe-pdf-port" src="https://1drv.ms/b/c/13829E5D2EB238DE/IQSfRY2xQfBSRJl9kbsSxLZ-Ad8-32dpZB_SuU7JopWMX2s" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div> ## Learning to apply at Skoltech As an educator I loved the MIT-Skoltech learning to apply model. I consider it incredibly innovative and have not seen it elsewhere. This is probably because it is a radically different model from the standard 15-16 university semester. The idea behind the AP was to provide learners with an opportunity to immediately put into practice knowledge and skills acquired through standard teaching and learning activities towards solving a real-world problem. I considered a good AP to be authentic, experiential, to promote teamwork, and to require the use of recently acquired knowledge and skills. ### Generic Master's Program track For context, the below diagram visually outlines the structure of a master's degree program. There were 4 types of courses: 1. Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2. Science, Technology and Engineering — core knowledge and skills 3. Sector — specific engineering field focus 4. Diploma thesis <div class="container"><iframe class="responsive-iframe-pdf-land" src="https://1drv.ms/b/c/13829E5D2EB238DE/IQRkuRhJ2bA3Q5nJXMmaZMo5AZgmdNZzHtGIZy4EGPE6DnA" width="100%" height="450" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div> A standard semester was 16 weeks long. With each identified course on the above diagram being 6 weeks in duration. It broke down as follows: - 6 weeks for 2 courses and learning activities - 1 week for assessment - 1 week for application - 2-day weekend break - 6 weeks for 2 courses and learning activities - 1 week for assessment - 1 week for application ### Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) The AP represented the CDIO framework in action. Learners would practice a rapid version of this over 8 days. - Conceive — Day 1 - Design — Days 2-3 - Implement — Days 4-6 - Operate — Days 6-7 Day 8 would then be a "report and celebrate" time when teams presented their idea pitch for pretend venture capital firms. And we would celebrate their hard work and success. ![[CDIO-process-Cycle-in-learning-Environment.png|500]] ### Application Period 1 (October 2013) The goals that I set for the first AP were to **1) empower the use of knowledge** and **2) provide a set of skills not readily owned by people**. For the first I/we wanted to set conditions where learners knew their new knowledge was useful; where learners had an opportunity to apply, test, fail, and succeed; and to build learner confidence. And for the second, I/we wanted to focus on covering 2.x and 3.x of the HLLO framework, as well as provide practice working with people to solve complex and ambiguous problems. In creating this, I identified the engineering faculty and the MIT Media Lab faculty. I also worked with a teaching faculty from the writing program. Engineering faculty would work with learners on the engineering principles, Media Lab faculty would work with learners on the product design, and writing faculty would guide learners in their marketing pitch. I partnered with each of these people to identify where and when they would be involved, as well as what they would do. For learners, the objective was to create, test, demonstrate, and pitch the value of a working prototype. ==I took a high-level view of what learners would be doing on different days in the period, including when, where, and what materials they would need. All of this had to be documented. I was creating the overall experience, recording for future iterations, and project managing at the same time. Coordination was with staff on both sides of the partnership, and with MIT faculty only.== #### Application Period model As I conceptualized this portion of the term I began to work on various models. I had input from my team, from the lead faculty of the initiative, and from other faculty involved. I drafted a series of diagrams for us to make decisions with. <div class="container"><iframe class="responsive-iframe-pdf-land" src="https://1drv.ms/b/c/13829E5D2EB238DE/IQRHmCTkMteNQp3vIA3LmHGJAQf_LemUH6XE_RNIZ4XwdlA" width="100%" height="450" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div> **Model 1a:** - Sees learners completing 2 projects over the AP. - Each project is related to a single course they just completed. - Learners pitch their project as if to or for: K-12, Future students, Big industry, or a Small-Medium Enterprise plus Venture Capital firm. **Model 1b:** - Sees learners completing 1 project over the AP. - Learners weave together what they have learned from courses just completed. - Learners pitch their project as if to or for: K-12, Future students, Big industry, or a Small-Medium Enterprise plus Venture Capital firm. **Model 2:** - Sees learners completing 1 project over the AP. - Learners weave together what they have learned from courses just completed. - Learners use their project to address a real-world problem. - Learners pitch their project as if to or for: K-12, Future students, Big industry, or a Small-Medium Enterprise plus Venture Capital firm. **Models 3 and 4:** - M3 shows what a day and period would look like completing a single project. - M4 shows what a day and period would look like completing 2 projects. - Risks a disruption and created dissonance mid-day. ==**Model 2** was the path that was taken.== #### Application Period 1 structure and schedule This is the final direction that I defined for the AP **Time frame:** - Start week 7 on Friday with an introduction - End week 8 on Friday with a report and celebrate **Purpose:** - To put knowledge into practice through activity that is 1) experiential, 2) hands-on, and/or 3) innovative. - To practice personal and interpersonal skills. **Instructors and teaching teams:** - HLLO's 1.x and 4.x — Term instructors will deliver a) the summative assessment and b) help guide students through knowledge application in the AP. - HLLO's 2.x and 3.x — Other instructors will support student development a) communication and collaboration skills, plus b) hands-on and innovation skills. **Instructors/Facilitators responsibilities in the AP:** - Assign and advise students in knowledge application. - Support student projects in lab and prototype environments and resource use. - Support the innovation process. - Learn activities to develop personal and interpersonal skills. **Schedule:** - Friday (10/18/2013) — AP day 1 - Saturday (10/19/2013) — AP day 2 - Sunday (10/20/2013) — AP day 3 - Monday (10/21/2013) — AP day 4 - Tuesday (10/22/2013) — AP day 5 - Wednesday (10/23/2013) — AP day 6 - Thursday (10/24/2013) — AP day 7 - Friday (10/25/2013) — AP day 8, report and celebrate ## References - Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) Framework — [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDIO_Initiative) - CDIO Initiative — [Homepage](https://www.cdio.org)