Improving the Instructional Design Principles of Distance Education Kathleen C. Rich Grand Canyon University: TEC 571 April 27, 2011
By PresenterMedia.com
“Instructional Design is the systematic and continuous
application of learning principles and educational
technology to develop the most effective and efficient
learning experience for students” (UMSL, pg. 1).
Instructional Design Model - ADDIE
ADDIE is both a component and a phase model as shown by the Nicolas Tsapatsoulis' drawing:
Instructional Design Principles
This study will focus on three of the principles:
• Analysis –the first phase that asks questions in order to determine the components needed for effective instruction
• Development – the methods and tools used to ensure the entire learning experience will lead to the desired outcome
• Evaluation – the process that evaluates the effectiveness of the instructional design
An important part of the Analysis phase is knowing the
learner. In distance education there is a separation
between learner and instructor. Unlike the traditional
classroom the learner is not sitting in front of the
instructor, therefore making visual assessment
impossible.
Analysis
• Avoids erroneous conclusions (i.e. The ESL student who appears being lax on assignments when it is really a comprehension problem due to a language barrier)
• Prevents isolation Gives the student a sense of community and the ability to share ideas and concerns with other classmates and the instructor (Bender, 2003)
• Helps to determine which teaching styles are needed to accommodate all learners
• Engages the learner
Analysis - Importance of Awareness
What the instructor needs to know:
• What the learner wants to gain from the course
• How the learner learns
• Learners background
• Learning styles and previous knowledge
• Availability of resources (e-Learning, 2010)
Analysis - Understanding the Learner
Below are tools that would make online socialization more interactive:
• Virtual Lounge – a text chat room that allows students to chat synchronously
• Video Conferencing – students become acquainted by chatting and seeing classmates
Benefits:• Reduces chance of student feeling they
are sending responses to the unknown• Gives students practice before they are
graded• Helps get acquainted with personality
of instructor and classmates (Bender, 2003)
Analysis - Technology Tools
• Skype – a free program that allows a person to place video calls,
phone calls and instant messaging
• Elluminate – a program that allows the class to meet in real-
time to talk and see one another (TJC, 2011)
Analysis - Technology Software
The Development phase is important as the layout will have a big impact on
student involvement and the chance for deep learning to occur.
Once the performance objectives and instructional method has been
determined in the Design Phase it is important to decide what mediums will
be used to deliver the lesson. In distant education the “look” of how materials
are presented can be just as important as the content
(UMSL, 2004).
Development
TOOLS• Online Chat – text based group
chat• Online Guest Lecturer -
synchronized online conversation with a speaker
• Virtual Field Trips - takes students to places of interest
• Online lecture – notes placed on web page (audio/video)
• Games - where 2 or more groups compete while attempting to meet a set of objectives
(ION, 2011)
• Post personal introductions and become acquainted
• Real conversation with real experts
• Relevant to course. Helps student comprehension
• Can revisit notes as many times as needed• Reflect typical real life situations
BENEFITS
Development-Technology Tools
• Enhances learning objectives
• Simplifies content
• Demonstrates concepts
• Supports different learning styles
• Enhances reflective thinking
• Challenges students to greater heights
Development-Importance of Supporting Materials
• Impatica – a program that does PowerPoint compression (shrink the size so it can be posted on the web
• Camtasia Studio – a program that allows you to create podcasts (audio) and screencasts (voice video)
• Panopto – a program that allows you to capture a lecture and make it available to students (TJC, 2011)
Development-Technology Software
• SoftChalk – a program you can use to create engaging web-based lesson by using your word processing (No HTML)
• StudyMate Author – a program that allows you to create flash based activities and games using four simple templates • Snagit – a program that allows you to copy images from the
computer screen and place them in your own documents (TJC, 2011)
Development-Technology Software
The Evaluation phase measures the effectiveness and efficiency of
instruction (e-Learning, 2010). This phase occurs both during and
after the lesson. Formative evaluation is used during the lesson to
foster development and improvement. Summative evaluation
takes place after the lesson is designed
to assess whether the stated objectives were met
(Clark, 2010).
Evaluation
FORMATIVE
• Determines how students use materials
• Allows for corrective measures• Considers application for
learners with disabilities• Assess success and failures of
support systems (Clark, 2010)
SUMMATIVE
• Determines effectiveness of
instruction as a whole
• Determines learners attitude
• Addresses quality assurance (Lockee, Moore &Burton, 2002)
Evaluation- Importance of Measurement
• Audio Conferencing – interview between instructor and student
• Surveys – consisting of questions requiring bubbling or short answers
• Polling – similar to surveys consisting of short question/answer
options and instant feedback
• Chat Rooms– where students can answer instructor lead
questions synchronously (AU, 2011)
Evaluation-Technology Tools
Surveys:• SNAP • SurveyGizmo• Zoomerang
Audio Conferencing:• GoToMeeting• FreeConference
Evaluation-Technology Software
Polling:• misterpoll• twiigs• ProProfs
Chat Rooms:• AOL Instant Messenger• YAHOO Messenger
Evaluation-Technology Software
ADDIE Instructional Design Model. (2010). Retrieved April 28, 2011, from http://www.about-elearning.com/addie- instructional-design-model.html
Bender, T. (2003). Discussion-Based Online Teaching to Enhance Student Learning: Theory, Practice and Assessment. Sterling, VA: Stylus
Centre for Distance Education. (2011). Retrieved April 19, 2011, from Athabasca University, Collaborative Tools Evaluation Project: http://cde.athabascau.ca/softeval/index.php
Works Cited
Clark, D. R. (2010), Types of Evaluations in Instructional Design. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/ahold/isd.html
Distance Education Faculty Handbook. (2011). Retrieved April 21, 2011. Tyler Junior College, Software Resources: http://www3.tjc.edu/de/faculty/DEFacultyHandbook.pdf
Illinois Online Network. (2011). Retrieved April 22, 2011, from University of Illinois, Instructional Strategies for Online Courses: http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/ resources/tutorials/pedagogy/instructional- strategies.asp
Works Cited
Instructional Design Principles. (2010). Retrieved April 19, 2011, from http://www.about-elearning.com/instructional-design- principles.html
Lockee,B., Moore, M., & Burton, J. (2002). Measuring Success: Evaluation Strategies for Distance Education. Educause Quarterly, 25, 7. Retrieved April 26, 2011, from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0213.pdf
Roadmap to Effective Distance Education Instructional Design. (2004). Retrieved April 17, 2011, from University of Missouri-St. Louis, Instructional Design in Distance Education: http://www.umsl.edu/ services/ctl/DEID/destination3deid/deid.pdf
Works Cited