How Courses Are Designed

How EBW Learning Designs Courses

Besina, along with all authors and collaborators involved in this e-learning initiative, upholds the principle that each course is designed around time-bound essential competencies. This ensures that critical skills and knowledge are systematically addressed within time frames that align with conventional academic calendars—whether by quarters, trimesters, or semesters.

All lessons are structured around the concept of "Education by Working" (EBW), emphasizing experiential learning. Instruction is primarily delivered through step-by-step, interactive formats that prompt learners to actively engage with the material. This method encourages learners to experience lessons firsthand and reflect on their outcomes, sharing insights either with peers or through personal notes. These interactions are scheduled using LLAMA and Scrum methodologies to optimize retention and promote deep learning, in accordance with the educational theories of Kirkpatrick (1994) and Chou (2015).

The authors and contributors are committed to continuously reviewing and updating the lessons to address prerequisite skills as needed or as they emerge among future learners. This adaptive approach is guided by the principles established by Kumon (1954) and Thorndike (1913).

Course structures—including detailed instructional modules—are made openly accessible. This transparency enables both learners and educators to collaborate on their refinement and enhancement. These structures may also serve as references for academic, professional, and non-exclusive commercial purposes. Throughout, the integrity of continuous timelines and learning phases is maintained through a documented and agile cycle of Implementation and Evaluation, followed by Design and Development, as outlined by Torrance (2025).

Through these practices, EBW aims to preserve and advance the core values of Open Online Courses and Open Source Learning and Collaboration.