A Scalable Curriculum Module for BYU Pathway’s Disciple Leadership Overlay
Overview
BYU Pathway’s curriculum designers are experimenting with embedding disciple leadership modules into its online courses. After approaching one of the members on the design team, I was tasked with creating module content centered on the principles of peacemaking. The open-ended nature of the project allowed for significant creative and strategic decision-making, which was my favorite part.
Purpose and Objectives
The project was structured around three interconnected content batches, each addressing a different dimension of peacemaking. These batches were:
- Batch 1 – Inner Peacemaking (Focus: cultivating personal peace through partnering with Christ, developing hearts at peace, and accepting unchangeable circumstances of our lives.)
- Batch 2 – Interpersonal Peacemaking (Focus: building peace in relationships, resolving conflict, and creating mutual understanding.)
- Batch 3 – Community Peacemaking (Focus: fostering unity and collaboration among families, teams, and other organizations.)
Additionally, I planned to create specific content, which would be divided among the batches. These final deliverables included:
- An Icon and Color Palette
- 8-10 Short Form, Written Pieces
- 6-8 Reflection Cards
- 2 Infographics/Handouts
- 1-2 Case Studies
These objectives provided a clear framework for the project and guided my research, content development, and collaboration throughout the design process.
Project Process
Over the course of the past few months, I researched, drafted, and refined content for each batch. This included designing a format for each piece of content to ensure consistency throughout the project, adjusting topics or revising material to match team feedback, and regular meetings with Chris Wilson, the team member directing the creation of the Peacemaker Module.
I began by creating multiple drafts for the module’s icon, which went through several rounds of revision with my team. These physical and digital drafts were then passed on to the design team, who created the current draft. While the icon may undergo further refinement, it reflects the elements the team valued most: beginning with the heart and extending peacemaking to others. I also designed a color palette to support the visual consistency of the module’s content.
Following this, I spent most of my time creating and revising content for each batch. By the end, I had completed the following deliverables:
- Batch 1 – Inner Peacemaking
- 4 Written Pieces
- 3 Reflection Cards
- 1 Case Study
- Batch 2 – Interpersonal Peacemaking
- 3 Written Pieces
- 3 Reflection Cards
- 2 Infographics
- Batch 3 – Community Peacemaking
- 2 Written Pieces
- 2 Reflection Cards
- 1 Case Study
Challenges
I encountered three main challenges while working on this project. First, I did not have a clearly defined target audience—only that learners could be located anywhere in the world, that the content might be translated into other languages, and that not all learners would be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To address this, I focused on universally applicable principles and used neutral, adaptable language that instructors or curriculum designers could personalize for their specific learners.
A related challenge was ensuring that the content could be integrated into any type of coursework or degree program. This required me to draft material that emphasized transferable skills and behaviors rather than discipline-specific applications, which stretched my writing skills and influenced the topics I selected.
Finally, although I created multiple drafts of the module’s icon, I ultimately passed my physical and digital concepts to another professional on the design team, who developed the current mockup. Letting go of direct ownership over the final design required flexibility and trust in the collaborative process, especially knowing the icon may continue to evolve as the project progresses.
Insights and Takeaways
Creating content for BYU Pathway over the past few months was highly enjoyable and expanded both my communication and creative skillsets. One of my most significant takeaways was recognizing the impact of creativity in problem-solving. Although I had not previously considered myself a creative person, the open-ended nature of this project required me to generate ideas, experiment with formats, and refine content through iteration. As a result, I gained confidence in my creative abilities and now see creativity as a skill that can be intentionally developed and applied in professional settings.
A second key takeaway was learning how to balance ownership with adaptability. Throughout the project, I produced work that I was proud of, while also accepting that drafts would be revised, redirected, or occasionally discarded to better meet team objectives and audience needs. This experience strengthened my ability to remain objective, receive feedback productively, and contribute effectively within a collaborative environment.
Finally, this project reinforced the value of purpose-driven communication. Creating peacemaking content for a global audience required careful consideration of language, tone, and applicability. This perspective helped me better understand how thoughtful design and content choices can support learning outcomes and encourage meaningful personal reflection across diverse contexts.
I’m excited about the implementation of my materials, and I’m hopeful that it will help Pathway students throughout the world become better peacemakers and disciples of Jesus Christ through a study of spiritual and practical peacemaking principles.