Skip to main content

Integral Theory and AQAL Protocol Template

Integral Theory and AQAL Protocol Template

Use this template to design any new course or module in this repository. It operationalizes the canonical quality protocol specifically for Integral Theory and AQAL.

Canonical references:

  • docs/maps/aqal-label-crosswalk.md
  • docs/quality/instructional-design-protocol.md
  • docs/quality/evidence-vetting-checklist.md
  • docs/quality/peer-review-sop.md
  • docs/safety/shadowwork-safety-standard.md

How to Use

  1. Copy this file to a new protocol doc under docs/implementation/.
  2. Replace placeholders and remove unchecked options.
  3. Link the final protocol from the related issue and pathway docs.

Module End-of-Page Progression CTA (Required)

When authoring module files under docs/modules/, include the reusable NextStep CTA at the bottom of the module body:

import NextStep from '@site/src/components/NextStep';
<NextStep
nextTitle="Rational/Orange Stage Orientation"
nextLink="/docs/modules/rational-orange-orientation"
reflectLink="/docs/reflections/daily-template"
message="You completed this module. The next step in your path is below."
/>

If nextTitle and nextLink are omitted, the component falls back to the module-path mapping in src/components/NextStep/index.js.


0) Course Metadata

  • Course/Module title:
  • Audience profile:
  • Duration:
  • Delivery mode (self-guided, cohort, facilitator-led):
  • Required facilitators (if any):
  • Related backlog issue(s):

0.1 Language and Accessibility Layer (Editorial)

Use dual-layer terms in learner-facing content where helpful:

  • Where (Quadrants)
  • Depth (Levels)
  • Skills (Lines)
  • Experience (States)
  • Style (Types)

4-path framing is optional, not mandatory:

  • Growing Up
  • Waking Up
  • Cleaning Up
  • Showing Up

Target audience language profile (for example Amber-friendly, Orange-analytic, Green-dialogic):

  • Profile:
  • Accessibility rationale:
  • Terms to prefer:
  • Terms to avoid:

1) Strategic Intent (Why)

1.1 Target transfer outcome

Define the real-world performance outcome:

  • Learner will be able to:
  • Context where skill is applied:
  • Observable success signal:

1.2 Andragogy + Connectivism design choice

  • Self-direction mechanism:
  • Immediate relevance/application mechanism:
  • Problem-solving task framing:
  • Networked learning mechanism (peer, expert, community):

2) AQAL Mapping (Required)

2.1 Quadrants (I, We, It, Its)

QuadrantTarget CompetencyLearning ActivityEvidence of Mastery
I
We
It
Its

2.2 Levels

  • Entry level assumptions:
  • Progression markers:
  • Mastery threshold:

If target includes Amber-oriented learners:

  • Strengths-first framing used (duty, reliability, role clarity, contribution):
  • Transition framing used ("add" or "expand" rather than "replace"):

2.3 Lines

List explicit developmental lines used:

  • Cognitive:
  • Emotional:
  • Moral:
  • Interpersonal:
  • Somatic:
  • Spiritual/Meaning:

2.4 States

  • Target state(s):
  • State preparation requirements:
  • State integration/debrief method:

2.5 Types

  • Type/adaptation assumptions (for example, introvert/extravert processing options):
  • Alternative pathways for style differences:

3) Cognitive and Presentation Protocol (How)

3.1 Microlearning design

  • Lesson count:
  • Average lesson duration (target 3-5 min):
  • One-concept-per-lesson mapping:

3.2 Multimedia coherence

  • Removed extraneous visuals/text:
  • Critical visuals retained and why:

3.3 Interactivity

  • In-line question points:
  • Progression lock points:
  • Feedback model:

3.4 Accessibility (WCAG 2.2)

  • Alt text plan:
  • Captions/transcripts plan:
  • Contrast/legibility checks:
  • Keyboard and screen reader checks:

4) Retention Architecture

4.1 Retrieval practice

  • Retrieval at 24h:
  • Retrieval at 72h:
  • Retrieval at 7d:

4.2 Interleaving

  • Early pattern (for novices):
  • Advanced pattern:
  • Rationale for switching threshold:

4.3 LMS gating

  • Activity completion rule:
  • Restricting access rule:
  • Mastery threshold for advancement:

4.4 Optional 4-Path Matrix (Editorial)

Use when it improves learner clarity. Leave blank if not used.

PathAQAL mappingLevel/Line fitLearning activity
Growing Up
Waking Up
Cleaning Up
Showing Up

5) Assessment and Bias Control

5.1 Performance-based assessment

  • Primary PBA task:
  • Rubric dimensions:
  • Passing threshold:

5.2 Objectivity controls

  • Blind grading enabled:
  • Multi-assessor criteria:
  • Calibration process:

5.3 Integrity controls

  • Citation expectations:
  • Novel-task anti-plagiarism strategy:
  • Analytics anomaly checks:

6) Safety and Facilitation

6.1 Emotional-intensity classification

  • Tier (1/2/3):
  • Contraindications:
  • Stop rules:
  • Grounding alternatives:
  • Escalation path:

6.2 Human boundary

Mark required human actions:

  • Recruitment/consent
  • Live facilitation
  • Safety escalation
  • Final interpretation of sensitive outcomes

7) Evidence and Review

7.1 Evidence table

ClaimSourceEvidence Quality TierCaveat

7.2 Peer review plan

  • Method reviewer:
  • Instruction reviewer:
  • Safety reviewer:
  • Approval owner:

8) Acceptance Checklist (Pre-Launch)

  • AQAL mapping completed across all five dimensions.
  • Dual-layer language (friendly + canonical) is applied in learner-facing sections where useful.
  • Learn/Practice/Reflect/Assess/Integrate structure present.
  • Retrieval + spacing/interleaving are explicitly designed.
  • Evidence checklist completed and citations verified.
  • Safety standard applied (if emotionally intense content exists).
  • Accessibility checks pass WCAG 2.2 criteria.
  • Human-required steps are assigned to named owners.

Optional checks:

  • 4-path framing included where it improves accessibility.
  • Amber language profile check completed where relevant.