[[Designing Curricula]] tags:: #on/learning Lon Setnik dates:: 2022-02-28 *essential questions explore the fundamental principles of the world, asking why and why not.* The essential questions remind me of [[the answers you get come from the questions you ask]], it's so important to ask the questions that open the mind to the answers aligned with the learning outcomes you are looking for. Essential questions come in two forms, Topical and Overarching. Sometimes we can spend all our time on overarching questions (How do we get a team to come together in a crisis?) and not end up making progress on the topical questions. Essential questions make us confront situations that are unknown, paradoxical, and often counter-intuitive (If we are explicit with our team roles it does not come off as controlling, it comes off as comforting, although its a weird way to talk). The problem with using essential questions is that we can loose the forest for the trees. We may never get to the trees, and the trees are what makes up the forest. There are certain things the learners need to "know," prior to proceeding. The content has a role in the exploration of the essential questions. We may get to the essential questions too early. ## Example: ### When teaching [[Tracheostomy Emergencies]], what are the [[essential questions]]? - How do I prepare all patients for the OR? What do I need to know about their airway? *topic essential* - When should we use checklists? *overarching essential* - How do I create a safe airway plan for all patients? *topical essential* - How do I maximize the team during a crisis? *overarching essential* ![[CleanShot 2022-02-28 at 07.13.59.jpg]] ## Sources: [[🐓 Idea Farm/Deadfall/For myself only/Readwise/Books/Understanding by Design]]