Instructional Technology Research

The Technology or the Instructional Design

2008-04-29T15:54:00.003-04:00

Which makes the difference, the design of instruction or the application of technology? I happen to be of the opinion that the design of instruction is the way to make an impact. The longer I read and apply and observe the use of technology the more I see a need for research to show what works and what does not work.

Being in the midst of my own research and writing -- which includes plenty of reading, I find that educators all over are asking the same questions. How can I design my instruction with the use of technology to make a lasting, deeper, learning experience for my students. Many times, I am afraid, technology comes into that question with no reason other than the higher -ups think this is a good thing and it therefore brings about promotions.

I am presently spending my time finding how good instructional design, the opportunity for working at one's own pace -- which comes with some technologies, can potentially have an impact on one's self-regulated learning behaviors.

More coming --

2008-04-27T10:59:00.000-04:00

Here is the teams part. The team would like us to use this as a place to post comments and ideas for applications. You know, just to find what the team considers interesting and apply it for the team's use, then give the team feedback on the application.

The team's latest finding has been deepBurner ... a great digital video disc and compact disc burner. Most of our faculty have been using Media Player to burn sound files and/or The Windows Xenon Professional's ability to burn data files. This program however, is great in reliability, it has a small file size and is fast.

*Ok, here is the latest find. I found a program under Educational Software on download.com called Athan Basic. I've been using it for a few weeks now...boy, is this program a dynamo or what? What it does is streamlines the playing of Athan five times a day during each prayer time with a built in synchroclock that has over 6 million towns, cities, and villages worldwide. I think it is safe to assume that cleveland is covered, but what a boost to our spiritual life! Also, for those of us that might not be up on our Aramaic, it translates the Athan into such popular languages as French and cypranian, perfect for our teachers from "across the pond"!

I also found a really great website to upload ringtones. Make sure you go here after you cut down the tracks like "Big Bad Wolf" or other town favorites as "Did You know that You are my Hero?"

Ok staff, its come to my attention that the Happy Hands club basic flash animation for learning sign language needs to be kicked into high gear. In order to facilitate that, I have found this program on download.com. The program is FreeTrak and it will allow our faculty to manage their Ncaa tournament pool by importing all the information they care about directly from the internet. What's so great about this is that if some piece of software is managing it for them then they won't have to waste time that could be spend submitting animation frames for our compilation on the basketball tournament results.

OK Staff, it has come to my attention that milliseconds of the department's time have been wasted because people AREN'T using hot keys as required and outlined in the Department's Instructional Manual that I spent years creating. Guys, this COLOSSAL waste of time is unacceptable. How can we expect students to embrace technology if WE'RE AFRAID to implement it ourselves? Despicable.

Testing and Evaluation Strategies

2008-04-17T11:21:00.002-04:00

Basic Premise:

"The most successful design of effective eLearning emulates the presence of a Master Instructor in a classroom."

Effective eLearning is accomplished by:

Presenting content at a level appropriate to the learner
Engaging the learner to become a participant in the learning process
Evaluating the level of learner comprehension
Providing additional instruction, as necessary, to increase understanding

When building an eLearning application with embedded assessment, don't direct the learner to the instructions again once they make a mistake, it is better to direct them to additional and different instructions.

General Design Strategies

The primary tool of the evaluation process is a question:
Multiple Choice
Text Entry
Matching/Rank Order
Simulations
Games

What is the difference between an exercise and a test?
The learner must know which one is measuring their abilities. When testing, many times the learner will assume that they are not going to do well. When taking an exercise, they do not think about the matter of "right or wrong."

This session is full of information, however it is not all useful for me as I do not do the types of testing that is presented.

This is the last session of the eLearning Guild 2008, so I am going to close at this point and begin to pack up for leaving town.

Applying Design Models to eLearning Modules

2008-04-17T10:05:00.008-04:00

Process models: ADDIE was presented and the phases.
Analysis
Design (has a design phase)
Develop
Implement
Evaluate

The next model presented is the Dick & Carey model.

The presenter is showing these are "process models" versus "design models"

Clark & Lyons book "graphics for learning" is presented in the book as a design model. This is a process model -- this is presented as a better model. Almost all of the models so far have a phase for design.

Savvy Process: Allen Interactions
This is found in Michael Allen's book and presented as a process model.
Preparation -- Interactive Design

Participants at a Savvy Start include a producer and a developer from Allen Interactions.The producer is the person who provides project management and instructional design on the project.The developer is there to provide technical support and create prototypes. On the client side, participants usually include the project manager, stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs). It’s usually best to keep this group small - 4 or 5 people total (1-2 from Allen, 2-3 from the client) will be able to reach consensus and keep moving to make the best use of Savvy Start time.

Analysis for this project may include interviews with end-users, and an analysis report.

Revisions to SAVVY Start prototypes will be created (often called “Second Prototypes”, “Third Prototypes” etc.) and tested with users during this stage. Media prototypes will also be created, revised and approved.

Reigeluth, C.M. (1999). Instructional Design theories and models: a new paradigm of instructional theory (Vol III)

First Principles:
(Deavid Merrill)

Introduce Problem/sitution/goal
Activation of prior experience
Demonstration o skills
Application of skills
Integration of these skills into real world activities

INTEGRATION ACTIVATION

PROBLEM

APPLICATION DEMONSTRATION

The goal is to define the problem first:
Second "activation" -- i.e. listen to an audio clip, then ask for initial reaction.
Third: Demonstration of skills -- video showing the problem or situation
Fourth: Have the students to apply skills
Lastly, Integrate all into a solution

next model presented is the Dick & Carey model.

SEDA Model

Situation
Evaluation
Decision
Action

Star Legacy -- Model
Vanderbilt Learning Technology Center (Schwartz et al, 1999)

Look ahead
The challenges
Generate ideas
Multiple prespectives
Research and Revise
Test your Mettle
Go Public
Reflect Back
(ETR&D Vol 50 No 2)

Nine Events of Learning (Robert Gagne)
Instructional Event Internal Mental Process
____________________________________________
1. Gain Attention : Stimuli activates receptors
2. Inform learners of objectives: Creates level of expectation for learning
3. Stimulate recall of prior learning: Retrieval & activation of ST memory
4. Present the content: Selective perception of content
5. Provide "learning guidance" : Semantic encoding for storing LT memory
6. Elicit performance: Response to questions to enhance encoding
7. Provide feedback: Reinforcement and assessment of correct performance
8. Assess performance: Retrieval and reinforcement of content as final eval.
9. Enhance retention and transfer to the job: Retrieval and generalization of learned skill

Gain attention

In order for any learning to take place, you must first capture the attention of the student. A multimedia program that begins with an animated title screen sequence accompanied by sound effects or music startles the senses with auditory or visual stimuli. An even better way to capture students' attention is to start each lesson with a thought-provoking question or interesting fact. Curiosity motivates students to learn.

Inform learners of objectives

Early in each lesson students should encounter a list of learning objectives. This initiates the internal process of expectancy and helps motivate the learner to complete the lesson. These objectives should form the basis for assessment and possible certification as well. Typically, learning objectives are presented in the form of "Upon completing this lesson you will be able to. . . ." The phrasing of the objectives themselves will be covered under Robert Mager's contributions later in this chapter.

Stimulate recall of prior learning

Associating new information with prior knowledge can facilitate the learning process. It is easier for learners to encode and store information in long-term memory when there are links to personal experience and knowledge. A simple way to stimulate recall is to ask questions about previous experiences, an understanding of previous concepts, or a body of content.

Present the content

This event of instruction is where the new content is actually presented to the learner. Content should be chunked and organized meaningfully, and typically is explained and then demonstrated. To appeal to different learning modalities, a variety of media should be used if possible, including text, graphics, audio narration, and video.

Provide "learning guidance"

To help learners encode information for long-term storage, additional guidance should be provided along with the presentation of new content. Guidance strategies include the use of examples, non-examples, case studies, graphical representations, mnemonics, and analogies.

Elicit performance (practice)

In this event of instruction, the learner is required to practice the new skill or behavior. Eliciting performance provides an opportunity for learners to confirm their correct understanding, and the repetition further increases the likelihood of retention.

Provide feedback

As learners practice new behavior it is important to provide specific and immediate feedback of their performance. Unlike questions in a post-test, exercises within tutorials should be used for comprehension and encoding purposes, not for formal scoring. Additional guidance and answers provided at this stage are called formative feedback.

Assess performance

Upon completing instructional modules, students should be given the opportunity to take (or be required to take) a post-test or final assessment. This assessment should be completed without the ability to receive additional coaching, feedback, or hints. Mastery of material, or certification, is typically granted after achieving a certain score or percent correct. A commonly accepted level of mastery is 80% to 90% correct.

Enhance retention and transfer to the job

Learning Philosophies: Provide the underlying approach and driving mechanism that creates the relationship between teacher and student of facilitator and participant.

This was a fantastic presentation -- very informative.

Things I've Learned in My Life

2008-04-17T08:10:00.004-04:00

Today is the final day of the eLearning Conference. The keynote speaker is Author, Designer, Innovator

Where do you draw your happiness and inspiration from? How can everyday images, phrases, and events inspire you or provide a source for ideas? Stefan Sagmeister is among today’s most important graphic designers. He has designed branding, graphics and packaging for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, the Guggenheim Museum and Time Warner. He has also earned near to every major international design award. In this presentation he will challenge you — through his life observations and lessons learned — to look at design, work, and your daily activities from a new and inspiring viewpoint. This fun, funny and thought-provoking closing general session will recharge your innovative and creative spark and send you off with new ways of looking at the world, your life, and your work.

This presentation is very interesting. As I am live-blogging, I am hearing and seeing this presenter's works. His company works in three areas, Music Industry, Socially Responsibilities, and Corportate Design.
He has shown his designs in each area. He has just stated what many designers already have suggested and that is that the quality of design is much different when the designer is not working under pressure. He is presently sharing what he feels he has learned in life through his profession.

There is so much that he is saying and showing that I will have to stop this typing and be more attentive. I feel at least this keynote speaker is more worthwhile.

The Future of the Internet

2008-04-16T09:02:00.003-04:00

Here in a session at the eLearning Guild 2008 - the keynote speaker of the day is speaking on the topic of "The Future of the Internet." Speaker is Mark Patrick.

He states that we have only experience 5% of what the internet offers for us.

Many of his comments so far are quite shallow and common sense to me. He is a good speaker, but I am not sure he knows his audience as well as he should. Speaking on topics of email, security, websites, business oriented topics that are not indepth is less than I anticipated.

For the most part, the conference has been great. I am still waiting for this speaking to state what the "Future of the Internet IS" ... he hasn't said it yet!!! :-(

As I am blogging his speech live, I am waiting -- and becoming tired of waiting.

Here is th
e info he has bestowed upon us thus far ...
1. Email is common and the primary way teenagers communicate.
2. Web services should be global in their design
3. Internet Service Providers must offer all services, all hours.
4. Companies are not being as responsible as they should be in responding to customers
5. Spam is a problem and the filters are blocking customers

As can be seen, this is not NEW information, and it does NOT tell about the future of the internet.

Ah ha -- he just said that he will us about the future of the internet - so apparently he knows that he hasn't gotten to that point yet.

Most of the things he speaks of as "futurisitic" of the internet are already in place. The point he is focusing on right now is "learning" and talking about how schools and libraries will change. The fact of the matter is that they HAVE changed.

I guess I will cut off at this point and add better information and more information later.

Latest Research - Some changes

2007-08-06T06:50:00.001-04:00

As you view my April posting, it shows that the title of this Blog, assigned two years ago, is no longer accurate. Though I am still an instructional technologist, I have seen the light. Educational psychology is the foundation to good IT .. or Instructional Design (ID). From this point on I will be posting my findings as I am working on the completion of my dissertation.

Back soon (not "later")

Instruction - Motivation and Self-Directed Learning

2007-04-15T17:58:00.000-04:00

I am back on this blog. I have been off for some time as I lost my login name and password. Recently I discovered that Google offered and new login with some changes and now I can login to all of my blogs at once using my gmail login information.

I will be back with up to date information I am studying on the topics of Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Directed Learning. I am seeking, in the process, a copy of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Inventory.

Back later..

2006-08-12T03:18:00.000-04:00

This research group
in the UK includes Mercer (cited in nearly every article for today),
Wegerif, Littleton and others

The Open University: Educational Dialogue Research Unit

http://edru.open.ac.uk/index.cfm

Computer-Mediated Communications in Education

2006-07-09T17:36:00.000-04:00

Here are some titles of articles that I am reading at this time. Since one of my areas of interest in using the web for educational purposes my course on Computer Mediated Communications is requiring quite a bit of reading. These are just a few of the many articles. More will come later with annotations.

De Wever, B. A. b. d. u. b., Schellens, T. A., Valcke, M. A., & Van Keer, H. A. Content analysis schemes to analyze transcripts of online asynchronous discussion groups: A review. 46(1), 6-28.

Fauske, J. A., & Wade, S. E. A. A. W. e. u. e. (2004). Research to Practice Online: Conditions that Foster Democracy, Community, and Critical Thinking In Computer-Mediated Discussions. 36(2), 137-153.

Garrison, D. R. A. A. g. u. c., Cleveland-Innes, M. A. A. m. a. c., Koole, M. A. A. m. a. c., & Kappelman, J. A. A. j. s. c. Revisiting methodological issues in transcript analysis: Negotiated coding and reliability. 9(1), 1-8.

Gerbic, P. A. A. p. g. a. a. n., & Stacey, E. A. A. e. s. d. e. a. A purposive approach to content analysis: Designing analytical frameworks. 8(1), 45-59.

Henri, F. A. A., & Pudelko, B. A. Understanding and analysing activity and learning in virtual communities. 19(4), 474.

Oravec, J. A. A. Blending by Blogging: weblogs in blended learning initiatives. 225-233.
Wallace, R. M. Online Learning in Higher Education: a review of research on interactions among teachers and students. 3(2), 241.

Curiosity and the Autonomous Learner

2006-01-08T13:07:00.000-05:00

During the process of searching more information, I recently found an article that ultimately adds to my interest in the Autonomous Learner. This article is titled, "Using Instructional Design Strategies to Foster Curiosity" by Marilyn P. Arnone. For me the title of the article was enough to give a surge of energy to think through what ended up being a part of the writer's thinking. If we, as instructors, can foster curiosity in our students, they have a motivation that will take them the distance in their studies. Internal curiosity, as we all know, is a motivator that sends us into the depths of research beyond what any "assignment" would even entail. This posting is to give some of the key points mentioned in the article, hopefully to whet your appetite for the complete article.
Since all students are not in the extreme category of the curious type, the author suggests taht something that may stimulate curiosity for one, may place another student in a state of anxiety. Therefor, it is our task to accomodate all learners. Not as easy as you thought, is it? Maybe you do find this easy, personally, I do not. With this in mind, the author gave ten instructional design strategies for fostering curiosity. They are as follows:
Strategy #1 - Curiosity as a hook
Use curiosity as a primary motivator at the beginning of a lesson by starting with a provoking thought or excercise.
Strategy #2 - Conceptual Conflict
When a conflict is introduced, learners feel compelled to explore the conflict until it is solved. This gives a feeling of satisfaction.
Stategy #3 - An Atmostphere for Questions
Assure that the environment setting sets the students at ease when it comes to asking questions. Give them opportunities to test their hypotheses through discussions. This fosters curiosity and builds confidence as well.
Strategy #4 - Time
Always allow adequate time for topical exploration. If an instructor successfully stimulates curiosity, then learners will want to persist in that exploration.
Strategy #5 - Choices
Give the learners options to choose from in his or her interest. This helps to sustain curiosity, therefore motivating the student.
Strategy #6 - Curiosity-Arousing Elements
Introduce of or more of the following elements into a lesson to arouse curiosity:

Incongruity
Contradictions
Novelty
Surprise
Complexity
Uncertainty

Strategy #7 - Right about of Stimulation
Be aware of the degree of stimulation that is entered into the learning situation. Remember, some learners will become anxious if the stimulus is too compex or too uncertain (Gorlitz, 1987). They may quickly leave the Zone of Curiosity and entehr the Zone of Anxiety.
Strategy #8 - Exploration
Encourage students to learn through active exploration.
Strategy #9 - Rewards
The exploration and discovery should be its own reward. Use other external rewards as well. Studies have found that extrinisic rewards for a task that a learner finds intrisically motivating may hinder future interest.
Stategy #10 - Modeling
Model curiosity. Ask questions. Engage in specific exploration to resolve a question posed, and demonstrate enthusiasm.

How does all of that tie to the autonomous learner? My logic suggests that the autonomous learner is motivated by curiosity in the first place. So, when we, as instructors, stimulate curiosity in our students, we are ineviatebly turning them into autonomos learners. Along with the many other factors that may come as I do more research, this is one that seems the most useful (so far) for the classroom setting.

MERLOT Conference

2005-07-27T17:25:00.000-04:00

Instructional technology conferences are at times frightening to attend in the sense that you may feel that you will end up wasting your time. I personally have attended many that make me feel that I am simply away from my work and getting nothing accomplished. This all leads up to something I want to share.
I am presently attending an international conference, MERLOT and I am finding it to be fantastic. If you are seeking an Instructional Technology conference for Higher Ed that covers multiple disciplines and is up to date in the activities, this is one to consider.
Check out the free site http://www.merlot.org This is a location where the MERLOT project resides. Websites and multiple sources of information are reviewed by MERLOT members, which keeps the educator from having to plow through a list of search engine results to find one thing that is worth using.
You can register online free of charge and view materials listed that have been reviewed by selected faculty of the specific discipline. Viewers can also make comments that will tell other users what value this has been for them. To say the least, this conference is and has been worth the time and cost.

Instructional Technology Research

2005-07-07T00:01:00.000-04:00

This blog is to record a variety of research topics which would fall under the broad category of Instructional Technology. These are technologies researched from software, web to hardware and how they are implemented to enhance learning as well as enhance instructing.
Hopefully this site will elicit other's point of view on various topics therefore creating interest in the ID & T Community.