When planning learning experiences for students, there are characteristics that all excellent learning design has in common:

* Develop learning objectives with strong verbs and clear goals

* Give students opportunities to try and apply their learning throughout

* Vary methods and tasks

* Focus on authentic, real-world problems and questions

* Milestones in the learning process with strong feedback and opportunities to improve

* Offer choice in the learning process as often as possible

* Share examples, prototypes, models of expectations

* Model processes for the students

* Allow for reflection on and discussions about the learning

* Encourage students to take risks

* Teacher as guide / facilitator of learning

Adapted from: Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Alexandria: ASCD.