Purposeful Teaching™ is a curriculum and instruction approach for facilitating adult learning. Learning in this approach is defined as “a desired change of behavior” in the learner, not merely the acquisition of information.  As a result of instructors using this adult-learning based approach, learners demonstrate the ability to perform skillfully in authentic work situations.  They can adapt the concepts and skills acquired in the classroom to respond to dynamic situations by using the critical thinking and problem solving that was also required in the classroom.  The actions of the instructor have more to do with learning achievement than virtually any other aspect of the teaching learning process.  Few instructor behaviors are neutral in regards to learning.  Most actions either help or inhabit learning.  Therefore every instructor action must have a clear learning purpose associated with it.  Hence, the name: Purposeful Teaching™. 

Traditional curriculum tends to be: based on topics in time frames; instruction is primarily lecture or demonstration; and assessments are selected response tests.  The result is poor retention of content and skills and a less than 5% transfer of knowledge and skills into practice.  Yet, the traditional model survives because many people still believe that telling is teaching, and listening is learning.  Additionally, conditions other than the learning of the students drive curriculum and instruction.

For further information, contact Dr. Karen (Spencer) Stentz Huebner.