C – Content

Overview

1. We deliver only the most important information to the user, not the fluff
   1. Linchpin
      1. 1-3 sentences of the most important information
      2. This information holds everything together and without this, the user would be lost
   2. Think “filet mignon”
      1. Main information = Main course
      2. No fluff and extra unnecessary content
      3. Take your content and cut it down to the most important and most essential information
2. Just the important information, the main course without all the sides
   1. What is the most important take away?
3. Questions to ask
   1. Does this relate?
   2. Is this important?
   3. Will they be lost without this information?
4. Content components
   1. Clear
   2. Connected
   3. To the point, but paints the big picture
5. You are the experts
   1. You know the most important information that holds content together
   2. Help students to understand the concepts that hold the content together

Exercise

In the following lesson, watch the first 60 seconds of the lesson. See if you can identify the linchpin (the one thing that if the student doesn’t remember, the lesson falls apart).

Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Angina 

Here’s the linchpin: Angina is a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle that causes pain and discomfort for the patient.  If bloodflow (i.e. oxygen) is not restored, it can lead to further damage.

See how this applies to the lesson? The most critical part of the lesson is that angina can indicate decreased perfusion, leading to long term damage of the heart muscle. Remember, you cannot teach them everything, so prioritize the most important subject matter!

As you begin to think about your first lesson, think about those critical concepts that hold your lesson together.