Throughout the previous learning pathways, you identified an instructional improvement opportunity, explored the learning theories that support meaningful learning, and chose a GBR activity aligned with your instructional goals. The next step is implementing your change in a purposeful and manageable way. Rather than expecting immediate perfection, improvement science encourages educators to test small changes, learn from the results, and continuously refine their instructional practices. In this pathway, you will apply the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to develop an implementation plan for your game-based review activity.
Objectives
- Identify the processes of the PDSA Cycle as a framework for continuous instructional improvement.
- Design an instructional change using the PDSA Cycle to guide implementation and evaluation.
Explore the PDSA Cycle
The following video provides a brief, but informational overview of the process of a PDSA cycle.
(Iwancio, P., 2019)
The presentation below breaks down each phase of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, highlighting the essential components needed to plan, implement, evaluate, and refine an improvement initiative.
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Open in new tab Knowledge Check: PDSA Cycle
Directions
Complete the short quiz on PDSA Cycles.
Build Your Own PDSA Plan
Directions
Complete the guided PDSA planner by identifying the instructional change you will test, outlining your implementation plan, determining how you will measure success, and deciding how you will use the results to inform future instructional decisions.
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Below is a template that you can complete to compile all of the information for your PDSA cycle onto one document. This would be the same information from the PDSA Planner, just a more concise format.
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(Roberts, 2025c)
Improvement Science Link
Key Takeaways
You have connected learning theory to instructional practice by identifying your instructional goal, selecting evidence-based game activities that support your learning objectives, and creating an Instructional Change Blueprint. This blueprint provides the foundation for planning your instructional change.
Coming Up Next:
In Learning Pathway 5, you will use your blueprint to complete the phases of the PDSA cycle and prepare for implementation.