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Concept Taxonomy

This document defines the categorical taxonomy for organizing the 200 concepts in the Automating Instructional Design course learning graph.

Taxonomy Categories

TaxonomyID Category Name Description
FOUND Foundation Concepts Core instructional design principles, prerequisites, and fundamental theories
BLOOM Bloom's Taxonomy Cognitive complexity levels and learning objective classification
VISUA Visualization Types Different paradigms for visual representation in MicroSims
LIBRA Libraries & Tools Specific JavaScript libraries and development tools
SPECI Specification Writing and documenting MicroSim requirements
COGNI Cognitive Science Memory, cognitive load, mental models, and misconceptions
AUDIE Audience Adaptation Designing for different age groups and contexts
EVALU Evaluation & Testing Quality assessment, rubrics, and user testing methods
ITERA Iteration & Workflow Design cycles, version control, and refinement processes
ACCES Accessibility Universal design, UDL principles, and inclusive design
DEPLO Deployment LMS integration, analytics, maintenance, and sharing
CAPST Capstone Portfolio projects and summative assessments

Category Definitions

FOUND - Foundation Concepts

Core concepts that form the foundation of instructional design and educational technology. These are often prerequisites for more specialized topics.

Includes: Instructional Design, Learning Objective, Educational Technology, MicroSim, Interactive Simulation

BLOOM - Bloom's Taxonomy

Concepts related to the cognitive complexity framework, including the six taxonomy levels and their application to learning objective design.

Includes: Bloom's Taxonomy, Cognitive Complexity, Remember/Understand/Apply/Analyze/Evaluate/Create Levels, Action Verbs, Measurable Outcomes

VISUA - Visualization Types

Different paradigms for visual representation, including motion, networks, timelines, charts, maps, and diagrams.

Includes: Visualization Paradigm, Motion Simulation, Network Graph, Timeline Visualization, Chart Visualization, Map Visualization, Diagram Visualization, Venn Diagram

LIBRA - Libraries & Tools

Specific JavaScript libraries and tools used for MicroSim development.

Includes: p5.js Animation, vis-network Library, vis-timeline Library, Chart.js Library, Plotly Library, Leaflet Library, Mermaid Library, Claude Code Skills, MicroSim Generator

SPECI - Specification

Writing effective MicroSim specifications, documenting requirements, and preserving pedagogical intent.

Includes: Specification Document, Visual Description, Interaction Behavior, Success Criteria, Edge Case Definition, Specification Ambiguity, Intent Preservation

COGNI - Cognitive Science

Memory systems, cognitive load theory, mental models, and misconception handling.

Includes: Working Memory, Long-Term Memory, Cognitive Load Theory, Intrinsic/Extraneous/Germane Load, Mental Model, Misconception, Schema Formation

AUDIE - Audience Adaptation

Designing MicroSims for different developmental stages and learning contexts.

Includes: Cognitive Development, Piaget Stages, Vygotsky Theory, Early Childhood/Elementary/Middle School/High School/Undergraduate/Graduate/Corporate Training Design

EVALU - Evaluation & Testing

Quality assessment frameworks, evaluation rubrics, and user testing methodologies.

Includes: Technical Evaluation, Pedagogical Evaluation, UX Evaluation, Evaluation Rubric, Think-Aloud Protocol, A/B Testing, Learner Feedback

ITERA - Iteration & Workflow

The design-test-refine cycle, version control, and systematic improvement processes.

Includes: Design-Test-Refine Cycle, Iteration Management, Version Control, Change Prioritization, Prompt Engineering, Regeneration Decision

ACCES - Accessibility

Universal design principles and inclusive design practices.

Includes: Universal Design, UDL Principles, Screen Reader Support, Keyboard Navigation, Color Blindness Design, Reduced Motion, Multilingual Support

DEPLO - Deployment

Integration with learning management systems, analytics, and long-term maintenance.

Includes: LMS Integration, Intelligent Textbook, Learning Analytics, Interaction Tracking, Maintenance Planning, Library Organization, Content Sharing

CAPST - Capstone

Portfolio projects and summative assessment concepts.

Includes: Portfolio Project, Reflection Journal, Peer Feedback, Self-Evaluation

Distribution Goals

  • Target: ~12-25 concepts per category
  • No single category should exceed 30% of total concepts
  • MISC category should be minimal (<2%)