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Planning

This page will guide you through how to plan a high-quality module using the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework and our Workplace Simulation model.

Our goal is to help learners build the skills and mindset they’ll need on the job. To do that, we plan backward from the role they’re simulating, create real-world learning objectives, and design meaningful activities and assessments that reflect what the work is really like.

We’ll walk through the three UbD planning stages:

  • Identify what learners need to be able to do
  • Decide how you’ll know they can do it
  • Plan what they’ll experience and practice each day

You’ll also find tools and templates at the bottom to help you get started.

UbD Planning Stages

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

What does success look like in the real world? Define what learners should be able to do by the end of the module. Focus on the workplace, not just the classroom.

Think through:

  • What job role are learners simulating?
    Are they acting as an IT Support Tech? Entry-Level Developer? Security Analyst?
  • What real tasks should they be able to do by the end?
    Think about the daily work, not just general skills. For example: "Reset a user password using Active Directory" or "Respond to a phishing ticket with appropriate escalation steps."
  • What do they need to understand to do those tasks well?
    These are the core concepts or processes that should stick with them.
  • What big questions should guide their thinking?
    These "essential questions" can drive discussion and curiosity. For example: "How do IT teams keep systems running while responding to incidents?"
  • What should they be able to apply in new situations?
    These are your transfer goals. What should carry over to the next job or project?
  • What are your learning objectives?
    Write 2 to 4 measurable outcomes using Bloom's verbs. Make sure they reflect real work.
    Example: "Diagnose and resolve a basic connectivity issue on a Windows machine."

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

How will you know they're ready? Plan how to check that learners are building the right skills. Use assessments that reflect actual job expectations—not just academic ones.

Include a mix of:

  • Knowledge Checks (KBA): Quick checks to confirm they understand key concepts. Example: "List three core Windows Server roles."
  • Skills-Based Assessments (SBA): More complex tasks that require learners to show they can apply what they've learned. Example: "Set up a local DNS server with logging enabled."
  • Labs: Guided hands-on activities that help them practice new skills in realistic ways.
  • Reflections and Feedback: Daily or weekly written reflections, peer feedback, and retrospective discussions help learners connect the dots between what they're doing and what it means in a professional setting.

Consider:

  • What would "good" look like in the workplace?
  • Could a manager review this and say, "Yes, they're ready"?

Stage 3: Plan the Learning Experience

What will learners actually do each day? Map out the day-to-day experience. Build out how learners will move from not knowing to doing, while staying grounded in the workplace context.

For each day, include:

  • A workplace scenario: Start with a realistic situation that gives purpose to the lesson. Example: "You're starting your shift and receive a ticket about a group policy not applying to a user account."
  • A clear objective: What skill or behavior are they focused on that day?
  • An active learning activity: This might be a lab, team task, case study, or roleplay. Learners should be doing, not just listening.
  • An assessment: Choose one way to check their understanding or performance that day. Use a KBA, lab, SBA, or reflection depending on the goal.
  • Tools or platforms: Make sure to call out what tools or environments they'll need, like ServiceNow, Windows Server, Microsoft Teams, or GitHub.

Pro tip:

  • If the day feels like something a junior team member might actually experience at work, you're on the right track.

Tools to Help You Plan

Use these tools to streamline your planning process, generate prompts, and capture your module plan. If you already have your plan ready, you can proceed directly to the next development phase below.

PS ID Companion GPT

Prompt Builder

Development Path Selection

Custom Development

Create new curriculum from scratch, with full control over content, simulation design, and delivery.

  • New program development.
  • Unique industry requirements.
  • Specialized learning outcomes.
  • Full customization needs.
🛠 Create new, workplace-aligned content from scratch.Go to Custom Development Guide

Vendor Curriculum Integration

Adapt and enhance existing vendor content to meet Per Scholas standards and integrate into our simulation model.

  • Industry-certified content.
  • Vendor partnerships.
  • Rapid deployment needs.
  • Standardized certifications.
🔌 Integrate existing materials into our learning model.Go to Vendor Integration Guide

Need support with planning?

  • Join our weekly curriculum development sync.
  • Schedule a planning session with an instructional lead.
  • Access planning templates and examples from our resource library.
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