Romanis conceptualizes the three models not as a hierarchy but as a control panel. Extra Quality emerges at the nexus where all three dials are set to high.
| Model | Core Mechanism | Contribution to Extra Quality | Risk if Overused | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Transformative | Epistemological rupture | Prevents stagnation; creates breakthrough pedagogies | Chaos; loss of coherence | | Transactional | Contingent reinforcement | Ensures error-free execution; builds trust via consistency | Bureaucratic rigidity; kills creativity | | Transformational | Value internalization | Generates discretionary effort; builds adaptive culture | Burnout via relentless inspiration |
Romanis’ Proposition: Extra Quality is a phase state, not a destination. It requires cycling through Transformative (vision), Transactional (implementation), and Transformational (sustainment) loops every 12–18 months. michelle romanis ttl models extra quality
Romanis argues that settling for standard quality in education is a quiet act of inequity. When systems merely comply, they systematically underserve marginalized learners whose needs are non-standard. Extra Quality, enabled by TTL models, becomes a justice tool: the transformative model decolonizes curricula; the transactional model ensures every child receives promised interventions; the transformational model amplifies student voice in governance.
Data from pilot implementations (Romanis, 2024) show that institutions operating at TTL triad level reduce achievement gaps by 40% more than those using single-model approaches, while also reporting higher teacher self-efficacy. Romanis conceptualizes the three models not as a
No triad is without paradox. Romanis identifies three core tensions in pursuing Extra Quality via TTL:
Before dissecting the models, it is crucial to understand the authority behind the name. Michelle Romanis is a respected voice in educational technology and curriculum development. Her work centers on the systematic integration of digital tools into the learning environment without sacrificing the human elements of teaching—empathy, adaptability, and critical thinking. The Pace of Care: Transformative change often outruns
Romanis argues that "extra quality" is not about using the most expensive software or the latest gadgets. Instead, it is about alignment: ensuring that technology serves a clear pedagogical purpose. Her adaptation of TTL models emphasizes a triadic relationship where no single element (Technology, Task, or Learner) dominates the others.
The TTL framework (often interchangeable with TPACK or SAMR in some circles, but distinct in Romanis’ focus) generally refers to Teaching for Transformative Learning. In Michelle Romanis’ refined model, the acronym stands for:
Extra quality models use technology to differentiate. Use your LMS (Canvas, Moodle, Schoology) to create conditional release paths. Students who score >85% on a pre-test skip introductory videos and go straight to synthesis tasks.
Look for Authenticity