The Power of Constructive Alignment: LX Design and AI
The word alignment
Have you ever tried to explain a complex topic to someone, only to be met with blank stares or confusion? Or, have you tried to understand a complex topic, only to have the explanation not mean anything? If so, you are not alone.
As an LX Designer, this is something we are required to do all of the time; to take complex ideas and present the ideas in a clear, and organised way that is meaningful for learners. To do this, we need to understand what the learner needs to know, what they need to do and how can they demonstrate their knowledge through scaffolded activities. In doing so, we are creating an aligned learner experience. If this is not done, learners can be left confused and unable to grasp foundational concepts, so it is important to understand constructive alignment.
Why is constructive alignment important?
Constructive alignment shifts the focus from the content to the activity required to achieve intended learning outcomes. Biggs et al. (2022) explain that constructive alignment is important to determine not what you are going to teach, but rather what the outcome of the teaching is intended to be. They also highlight that this approach enables' learners to use the appropriate cognitive skills required to gain knowledge. In doing so, as an LX Designer, you design an aligned experience that promotes deeper learning and a more authentic experience.
How is constructive alignment used in LX Design?
Since LX Design is centred on a constructive dialogue, constructive alignment is critical for a few reasons:
ensure that learners can construct authentic meaning from the activities;
educators make a deliberate effort to ensure that learning activities are clearly defined, and aligned to learning outcomes; and
there are appropriate points of feedback occurring throughout to support the learner in their experience.
Some key questions that can be asked in a design session, are:
What are the learning outcomes?
What does the learner need to know to achieve the learning outcomes?
What does the learner need to be able to do to demonstrate their knowledge?
How do the activities support learners to construct meaning in their own context?
What has this got to do with AI?
In LX Design, we can use the constructive alignment framework to inform course design; and in AI there is also an alignment problem that is highlighted by Christian (2020). He explains that the alignment problem is essentially the challenge of ensuring that AI systems behave as they were intended to and are aligned with human values and goals. So, if we consider how both of these impact LX design; they both involve the challenge to ensure particular elements are aligned to achieve the desired outcome. When using AI then, it is essential that you consider whether the outcome is what you expect to achieve.
In the next series of posts, I am going to share with you the alignment problem with AI and ways in which you need to understand how it may impact you and your design.
References:
Biggs, J., & Tang, C., Kennedy, G. (2020). Teaching for quality learning at university. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Christian, B. (2020). The alignment problem: Machine learning and human values. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
