Great teaching goes beyond delivering lessons—it inspires confidence, builds connections, and fosters growth. The ACE Framework was designed to help Outschool educators create high-impact learning experiences that support learner success while boosting your class enrollments and retention.
This resource introduces the three pillars of the ACE Framework—Agency, Community, and Expertise—and offers actionable tips to integrate them into your class design and interactions with learners. Plus, we’ll show you how mastering these principles can lead to earning Rising Star and Star badges, unlocking additional benefits for your teaching business.
What is the ACE Framework?
The ACE Framework focuses on three foundational principles:
- Agency
- Encouraging learners to take ownership of their learning experience.
- Supporting decision-making, problem-solving, and self-directed growth.
- Example: Giving learners options to choose activities or topics within a lesson.
- Community
- Building meaningful connections between learners, their families, and you as an educator.
- Promoting a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for all participants.
- Example: Icebreakers, group projects, or shared reflection exercises.
- Expertise
- Demonstrating subject mastery while modeling reflective practices and embracing growth.
- Normalizing mistakes as opportunities to learn, both for you and your learners.
- Example: Sharing how you overcame challenges in your learning journey and encouraging learners to reflect on their progress.
By embedding these principles into your classes, you’ll deliver dynamic, impactful learning experiences that resonate with learners and families alike.
Implementing ACE in Your Classes
How to Apply Agency:
- Provide opportunities for learners to make choices, such as selecting project topics or choosing their level of difficulty.
- Foster critical thinking by asking open-ended questions and encouraging creative problem-solving.
How to Build Community:
- Start every class with a warm welcome or icebreaker to foster connections.
- Use tools like breakout rooms, group discussions, or collaborative activities to build camaraderie.
- Ensure your classroom is inclusive by using respectful language, culturally responsive teaching, and age-appropriate materials.
How to Highlight Expertise:
- Clearly communicate your qualifications and teaching philosophy in your profile and class listings.
- Model reflective practices by inviting learners to review what went well and areas to improve after each class.
- Normalize mistakes as a natural part of learning by openly discussing challenges and solutions.
- Example: “That’s an interesting mistake—let’s unpack it together and see what we can learn.”
Connection to Rising Star and Star Badges
Achieving Rising Star and Star badges demonstrates your commitment to excellence on Outschool and makes your classes more appealing to families.
How the ACE Framework Helps:
- Agency: Empowering learners leads to higher satisfaction and better reviews.
- Community: Building strong relationships fosters retention and repeat enrollments.
- Expertise: Demonstrating mastery and modeling reflective practices builds trust and credibility.
To qualify for these badges, educators must complete ACE-aligned professional learning sessions, maintain high class ratings, and meet engagement standards.
Pro Tip: Reflect on how you already incorporate ACE principles and identify areas for growth.
Start implementing the ACE Framework in your classes today to create impactful learning experiences that inspire learners and families. Click here to explore professional learning resources and learn how to earn Rising Star and Star badges.
