TAROT BASICS

Instructional Design Document

DOCUMENT AUTHOR: LAUREN EVANS

COURSE TITLE: TAROT BASICS

TYPE OF COURSE: AGES: 16-99 : Aimed for learners who have shown interest in
the field of tarot but are not sure where to start. This course is
designed to give a very basic foundation for learners to see if
this type of field is something that interests them or not.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This course will go over the most basic framework for reading tarot for learners who are
interested in building their knowledge on the subject. This course will first break down
differences of major and minor arcana as that is the first split theme of the deck. After,
the course will break off into the meaning of the different suits: pentacles, cups, wands,
and swords. Each suit will be explained along with its tie-in to the zodiac signs. Once
the learner has a basic understanding of major arcana, minor arcana, and the suits they
should have the most basic knowledge of tarot. The course will be able to go a little
more in depth by explaining how to utilize court cards in a reading and why they are
different from other minor arcana cards along with common symbols that are not
necessarily tied into specific cards or suits. Finally, the course will go over just a select
few basic spreads and how to use reversals. A future consideration would be a course
on how to use numerology when reading tarot and how that relates to the transitions of
the stories in each arcana. When the learner is done with the course they should be
able to explain how the basic foundations of tarot work along with being able to perform
a very basic reading.
 LEARNING NEED / MARKET OPPORTUNITY /
COURSE RATIONALE

Connecting with intuition is something that is deeply needed for today’s world to develop
self-trust and healing. Learning some basics of tarot can go beyond just spirituality and
be used as a journaling prompt, inspiration for short stories or art, or even great group
exercises to develop meaningful conversation. This could easily be marketed in the
digital world through social media or on course websites like Udemy which is a site
people pay for courses in subjects they are interested in but do not need/want a degree
in. Due to how broad the topic is, and we can get very in depth, this course will focus on
the very basics. Learners will be able to tell the difference between major and minor
arcana, the suits, and basic symbolism.

TERMINAL OUTCOME / COURSE GOAL

By the end of the course, learners will be able to understand the foundational aspects,
how to do a basic spread with a reading.

TARGET AUDIENCE DEFINITION

The target audience for this course is for people who are interested in tarot and want
the basics in an area that is vast with interpretation styles.. While there are some main
overall themes and concepts, tarot can be utilized by anyone and this course is meant
to provide basic knowledge and thus forth confidence to begin to step into the art.
 COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
AT THE END OF THIS COURSE, THE LEARNER WILL BE ABLE TO

OBJECTIVE 1 Learners will be able to explain the difference between a major and
minor tarot card.

OBJECTIVE 2 Learners will be able to interpret the meaning of the different suits of the
tarot.

OBJECTIVE 3 Learners will be able to create a basic tarot spread.

OBJECTIVE 4 Learners will be able to interpret a basic reading.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES
IN ACCORDANCE TO EACH OUTCOME

OBJECTIVE 1 Learners will be shown a selection of cards and use drag and utilize
ASSESSMENT drag and drop to identify if a card is major or minor (or) if the learner
owns a deck (highly recommended for this course) they may use their
own physical cards to test themselves.

OBJECTIVE 2 Learners will write a brief explanation on the characteristics of each suit
ASSESSMENT either in an online journaling format or a physical journaling format (or)
characteristics will be displayed and the learner will use fill in the blank
to identify each suit.

OBJECTIVE 3 Learners will create a basic tarot spread for a reading. This can be
ASSESSMENT documented via a photo, video, or journaling response. As this is an
intuitive topic, self-reflection is the main source of feedback however
group forums can be utilized for others’ input.

OBJECTIVE 4 Learners will perform a reading and use either a journaling technique
ASSESSMENT (virtual/physical as discussed prior) to log their interpretation. Audio or
video can be utilized depending on the learner’s preference of
documentation. It is highly recommended that the learner saves these
logs to look back to as they make progress reading tarot.
 INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
ACTIVITIES THE PARTICIPANT WILL NEED TO COMPLETE TO
SUPPORT EACH LEARNING OUTCOME LISTED

OUTCOME 1 ● LECTURE: on major and minor arcana.

● VIDEO: on quick tips to determine major/minor.
● PRACTICE ACTIVITY: use of cards to practice either in person
or digitally.

OUTCOME 2 ● LECTURE: on the suits of tarot.

● VIDEO: on the purpose of elements and suits.
● PRACTICE ACTIVITY: use of cards to intuitively compare newly
learned facts vs. exploration and discovery of personal
symbolism within the cards.

OUTCOME 3 ● BRIEFING/LECTURE: on the purpose of using basic spreads.

● EXAMPLE SPREADS/ACTIVITY: basic spreads are provided for
the learner to choose from as part of an exercise.
● ACTIVITY: learner will journal interpretation.
● OPTIONAL: can post interpretation for feedback on group
forums.

OUTCOME 4 ● OVERVIEW: of what was covered and what to expect going

forward.
● FINAL ACTIVITY: perform a reading and document with use of
journaling.

CONTENT SOURCES

VIDEO 1 ● Major vs. Minor Arcana in 3 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z04hjcMhQ4Y

VIDEO 2 ● The suits and elements explained in 6 min 43 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xVRsLjvCig

LINK 1 ● Basic tarot spreads

https://www.biddytarot.com/top-tarot-spreads-for-beginners/

LINK 2 ● Resource for free chat forum to talk with other readers
https://forums.tarot.com/category/2/tarot
 CONTENT ORGANIZATION AND
APPLICATION / COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE OUTLINE

MODULE 1 1. BEGINNING TAROT

a. Welcome/brief history (intro to foundation)
b. Major vs. Minor Arcana (lecture)
i. Video 1
c. Activity: Assessment 1

MODULE 2 1. MORE TAROT BASICS

a. Learning continued (intro to next phase)
b. Suits and Elements (lecture)
i. Video 2
c. Activity: Assessment 2

MODULE 3 1. FROM FORM TO FUNCTION

a. Overview: Why use spreads? (intro)
b. Basic Spreads
i. Link 1
c. Activity: Assessment 3
i. (optional) Link 2

MODULE 4 1. PUTTING KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE

a. Overview: what was learned, what's next? (intro)
b. Activity: Assessment 4
c. Conclusion, Congratulations!
i. Future resources

COURSE SEQUENCING
This course totals 4 modules with 9 parts and a total of 9 minutes and 43 seconds worth of
video. This course is meant to be taken in order. To develop this course I am utilizing UbD
(Understanding by Design) with Rapid/Agile learning to assure the course is no more than 20
minutes and a very basic course. These instructional design models ensure the effectiveness of
the course vs. time constraint. A group forum will be provided as a resource for learners to gain
insight from other tarot readers if they need help, guidance, or even another opinion. Learners
are highly encouraged to trust their own intuitive interpretations but may discover even more by
reaching out to the community.

1. Understanding by Design
a. Step 1: Identify desired Results
i. Learners with no prior knowledge of tarot will form the most basic
foundation on the subject. The foundation is determined to be: the
arcanas, the suits, the spreads, the reading.
b. Step 2: Determine Assessment Evidence
i. Learners are assessed through tasks that demonstrate understanding of
the material along with engagement of intuition and discovery.
Assessments for a tarot course are meant to build the learners confidence
on both the subject and the ability to interpret.
c. Step 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction
i. This is a 20 minute course meant to be the skeleton for tarot basics.
When utilizing videos there has to be a direct relation to any listed
objective/outcome. Lectures need to be clearly devised and kept at
minimum length. Use of bullet point lists and straight facts are detrimental
for maintaining the short length of the course.

COURSE STANDARDS

How to meet WCAG ( Quick Reference ):

https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/
 EVERYTHING BELOW HERE IS RESERVED FOR THE 300
COURSE

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