A Conceptual Framework

The Education Pathway Spectrum

Every learning experience sits somewhere between pure self-direction and pure structure. The question isn't which end is right — it's where each pathway lands, and what students gain or lose by being there.

Locus of Structure

ExperientialSystematized

Hover any marker to see its name · Click to open

Begin with the spectrum itself

Nine pathways sit on the scale above. Hover any marker to reveal its name; click to see where it lands and what it offers students. Positions reflect typical implementation — individual programs can shift left or right based on how they are designed.

Positions on this spectrum reflect typical implementation. Any individual program — an apprenticeship, an internship, even a traditional classroom — can shift its position based on design choices.