If you want to create more impactful courses or presentations, start with these four questions. These will guide you in building an initial hook or experience that draws people into the content, and gets them excited to learn more. This is a most crucial step in the 4MAT Wheel, and one that some teachers might overlook.

1. Have you gone deeper to get to the heart of the content?
2. Does the concept truly convey the essence of the content (its core meaning)?
3. Does the concept create personal meaning, and does it relate to the daily life experiences of the group?
4. Are you using the same words to describe the concept and the content? Hope not.

1. Have you gone deeper, to get to the heart of the content?

What is this really about? Is this a significant idea? Does it connect to the main body of content?  Here’s an example. A writing course, full year, two semester course—teacher has divided Writing into a series of  concepts.  She is working on narrative as her first unit design with 4MAT. So she begins by zeroing in on one of the key elements of narrative, describing characters.

She initially chooses Creativity as her concept. This concept is too big. Her content is The craft of character: how to build and bring to life complex and unforgettable characters. Her bridge is Techniques used by good writers to create memorable story characters. 

2. Does the concept truly convey the essence of the content (its core meaning)?

To continue with our example, creativity does not accurately convey the concept of character building. This is an example of a concept that is just too big for the content.  So, what is the essence of character building in literature? Answer: Creating real, authentic and compelling characters. Authenticity is a much better concept for this unit? And it more closely aligns to the essence of this writing skill?

3. Does the concept create personal meaning, and does it relate to the daily life experiences of the group?

Some questions to consider in creating a concept. 

• Does it have potential for creating meaning in people’s lives?
• Do people encounter this concepts in their lives on a regular basis?
• Have they had prior experience with it?                                                                                        

If so they will better relate to what is being taught.

4. Are you using the same words to describe the concept and the content? Hope not.

The concept and content should not be the same. We use the following formula to help formulate a good concept.

_________     is a study in        _____________________
(Content)                                         (Concept)

For example…     Character Building is a study in Authenticity
Or workplace safety is a study in Risk

By following these guidelines, you will be able to build an initial connect activity that truly connects to people and gets them excited about the content to come in Quadrant 2, Left or the lecture portion of the 4MAT Wheel.

Special Thanks to John Sung, a Master 4MAT Trainer from Paul N Mark in South Korea for his work to help author this blog contribution. John uses these questions when teaching 4MAT To corporations and universities in South Korea and has found it be a real help when helping people design their teaching concepts.