SuperFrames™: Combining Job Aids and Performance-based Activities to Increase Transfer

Want to make instruction more interesting and powerful at the same time? Try SuperFrames™.

Some years ago I noticed that I often found myself creating performance-based activities to support the use of job aids we developed.

Combining performance-based learning activities with job aids provides practice and encouragement to use the aids back on the job (transfer, in other words).

I also was able to speed my development process by using existing learning activity frames (or structures) that had already been tested in terms of the directions, timing, and outcomes. Some of these I had invented in previous projects, and some came from wonderful resources such as Thiagi's GameFrame books. The job aid structures were also standard formats for job aids (take a look at the DSA tip on different job aids formats). Need for the file. So, I was using existing structures with new content to create a powerful, exciting learning experience.

Finally, I wrote up a summary of the SuperFrame™ and attached the example so I could recreate the activity and job aid structure for different content and context in future projects.

I have named this combination frame of Job Aids and Performance-based Activities "SuperFrame™".

The best way to acquire this concept is to have an example of a SuperFrame™. So take a look at one here and try to imagine how you could reuse the structures with some of your own content. If you like the idea, send me an email titled Superframe™ and I will send you a second example and a template for writing up any SuperFrame™ you might create for future use.

The diagram above shows the process I use for creating a SuperFrame™. Please note that as with any really good learning experience, you start with relevant content to the job. Note, too, that we write up the SuperFrame™ so we can have the added benefit of easily recreating similar job aids and activities in the future.