Dr. Tara Laughlin
Thank you for visiting my portfolio. Below, you can view my skills, along with work samples showcasing examples of my lessons, videos, graphics, research, podcasts, and blogs.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Facilitation & Coaching
- Adult Learning
- Competency-Based Education
- Performance Assessment
- Learning Design
- Relationship Management
- Systems Thinking
- Strategic Guidance
- Project Management
- Articulate 360 (eLearning)
- LMS / LXP Course Design
WORK SAMPLES
SEL Lesson & Practice Exercises
(Click images to view)
Lesson Features:
Learning objective
Split into digestible micro-lessons
Explicit steps/strategies for skill development
Multiple, varied practice activities
Practice Exercise Features:
Aligned to content in micro-lessons
Extra practice opportunities beyond lessons
Approach skill from different angles
Formative assessment
Performance Assessment
(click image to view)
Assessment Features
Authentic application of skill
Rubric
Accommodations for varying needs
Self-assessment
Exemplars at all levels
Videos
A few videos I created for workshops with clients
Course Syllabi
While I’m unable share full online courses I developed in this portfolio, as they are situated within an LMS and proprietary to PAIRIN, the following syllabi give an idea of the flow and types of activities contained within each course.
(Click images to view syllabi)
Integrity is a course designed to help individuals align their words and actions (both public and private) with their beliefs and values.
Self-Awareness is a course designed to help individuals realize their internal states –feeling, intuitions, preferences, resources –and recognize their external effects.
Innovation is a course designed to help individuals harness creativity into significant positive change.
Course Topics
Graphics
Graphics I designed for professional learning sessions I facilitated
RESEARCH & PERSPECTIVES
Research White Paper: Essential Skills Integration (2015)
White Paper: The Methodology Behind Integrating Social-Emotional Skills Into Everyday Curricula (Laughlin, 2014)
Podcast Interview: SEL Integration (June, 2020)
Blogs
A Framework for SEL Integration: It’s Time to Teach Differently (Part 1)
The world is changing, and so too are the skills necessary to thrive in school, work, and life. Now more than ever, one’s success is linked not just to foundational academic knowledge, such as math and reading, but to competencies such as collaboration, decision making, and social awareness, often referred to as ‘social-emotional’ skills…. (Continue reading)
Developing Soft Skills: The Key to Success
Over the last several decades, extensive research has shown the value of soft skills development, at all levels ranging from early childhood to late adulthood. This research has come from differing fields and researchers with widely diverse backgrounds, illustrating the tremendous value and importance of soft skills…. (Continue reading)
CASEL Design Challenge Winner: Problem Solving Performance Assessment
As an Assessment Design Challenge winner for CASEL, Dr. Tara Laughlin has developed a practitioner-friendly problem solving performance assessment, designed for use with students in grades 9-12. The assessment begins with an authentic, real-world problem for students to solve. This problem is purposely broad enough for learners to apply it to their own life context, thus making the assessment more developmentally and culturally appropriate…. (Continue reading)
taralaughlin.com 