The document discusses best practices for instructional design for online learning. It defines instructional design as a systematic process for developing effective instructional materials that considers outcomes, assessment, learners, strategies, and media/technology. It provides 10 best practices for instructional design including: 1) creating an instructional design plan, 2) analyzing learners, 3) getting the right mix of synchronous/asynchronous and independent/group learning, 4) using learning outcomes, 5) sequencing content appropriately, 6) pacing the course, 7) designing engaging activities, 8) building appropriate assessment, 9) using appropriate media types, and 10) writing and designing for the online medium.

1. Designing for Online: Instructional Design in Action! 21 st Century Learning and Sharing April 23th 2009 Monique Brewer Open School BC

2. Designing for Online Challenges & Successes What’s been your experience?

3. So, what the heck is instructional design anyway?

4. A systematic process of developing effective instructional materials. What is Instructional Design (ID)? Outcomes Assessment Media/Tech Learners Strategies

5. Instructional Design as a Process Planning & Design Production & Outputs Development Summative Evaluation Needs Assessment Pilot Stage Review & Sign-off Learners Create a Project Team Instructional Design Plan Products Review & Sign-off Review & Sign-off Review & Sign-off

6. The Role of the Instructional Designer May vary from organization to organization A combined role of Project Manager and Instructional Designer Main purpose is to be “an advocate for the learner” Consider the learner’s needs throughout the whole development process Ensure learning outcomes are met, activities are appropriate, use of technology and media is appropriate etc. onal Instructional Design Applicable to Different Settings… Online: Grade 4 F2F: In the classroom Principles the Same

7. Why Use Instructional Design? Promotes accountability, quality, and educational integrity Provides opportunities for learners to succeed Ensures courses address the prescribed learning outcomes /competencies Systematically consider all of the variables involved in designing content So, we don’t waste money & time…

8. Don’t try to build the bathroom before the house! Why use Instructional Design?

9. Best Practice #1: Create an ID Plan Plan should address: Learner Analysis Learning outcomes Content design Appropriate activities and assessments What’s going work going to work for online? Technology & media.

10. Module Example: Open School BC Course

11. Best Practice #2: Analyze Your Learners Interests Abilities Knowledge Technology Environment

12. Best Practice #3: Get the Mix Right E-Learning isn’t necessarily the “magic bullet” that guarantees a rich learning environment Need the right blend: synchronous and asynchronous interaction group and self-paced/independent learning print and online resources learning activities appropriate to student needs, and technical capacity

13. The bulk of the content presented in Study Guide formats. Textbook as a resource Web as a wrap around to provide interaction: student: student student: instructor Print Based with Online as a Wrap Around

14. A Mixed Model - Deep Blending Classroom Time Video conferencing or use tools such as Elluminate Online Print - Study Guide/textbooks, other resources

15. Self-Paced Online

16. Best Practice #4: Use Learning Outcomes Learning outcomes help to: Clarify your ideas Provide a scope & sequence to what you want to design Can help students know what to expect Guides assessment Serve as building blocks for developing courses = house analogy.

17. Best Practice #3: Determine Pedagogy Behaviorism: Mind as a “black box” Promotes “lower level learning such as “observe” or “memorize” Cognitive: Looks at what happens in the learner’s mind Input (information) is processed and stored in memory and output is learned capability Constructivism Learning is constructed from knowledge Problem-based learning, multiple representations, reflective

18. Best Practice #4: Sequence Content By topic Chronologically By place By cause and effect By structural logic Problem-centred Spiral A loose network

19. Best Practice #5: Pace Your Course Pacing will help your students complete their course Real time interactions with their instructors/teachers through audio or video conferencing or Face-to-Face - tools like Elluminate. Discussions online are carried out over one week time frame. Assignments and exams are completed by given date Cohort vs self paced courses.

20. Best Practice #6: Design Engaging Activities Frequency of activities Get the learners to do something throughout the learning process and not just at the end Consider variations of activities: Reflect on a reading or their own experience, Analyze a video clip, audio segment Engage in a discussion or an interview Keep a diary or log of a project Move from simple to complex; easy to challenging

21. Activities & Retention Average Retention Rate: Lecture 5 % Reading 10 % Audio-Visual 20 % Demonstration 30 % Discussion Group 50 % Practice by Doing 75 % Immediate Use of Learning 90 %

22. Simulations

23. Best Practice #7: Build Appropriate Assessment Different types - formative and summative Link to learning outcomes Authentic, valid, and reliable Simple to complex; rote to critical thinking; objective to subjective Provide immediate feedback Consider balance of both student and teacher workload

26. Best Practice #8: Use Appropriate Media Types of media graphic, audio, video, interactive Considerations Purpose Cost Availability

27. Graphics Explain the Function: Refer to a graphic within your text & explain the purpose Design Activities Around a Graphic: If a graphic is core to a concept, design an activity around Placement of Graphics within Text: as close as possible to the piece of text that refers to it. Emphasize the Graphic: Learners will benefit from a graphic if they can easily see what point you are trying to make

28. Pacific Garbage Patch: students.umf.maine.edu/kanedc/public.www/

29. Audio Foreign language dialogues Spoken glossaries of “hard to pronounce terms” Conversations to be analyzed Discussions or interviews Sounds (i.e., heart’s rhythm after a drug has been absorbed; animals) Presentations Consider using a still image

30. Video Be sure motion is really essential in what you want to show your learners. Use existing material rather than make your own. Can be very expensive to do well. Streaming video clips: 2-3 minutes long. Avoid duplicating traditional lecture format unnecessarily.

32. Multimedia Effective instruction across learning domains, including affective and psychomotor (e.g., simulations, case studies) Promote development of higher-order thinking skills, and concept formation Realism, especially when coupled with graphics and video Potential interactivity Potential for high levels of learner control and engagement Interactive Media

34. Best Practice # 9: Write for Online Write to reading level of student Use familiar words (arrival not influx) Use short words (basic not fundamental) Use short sentences and paragraphs Use positive instead of negative Remove unnecessary words and phrases Use conversational style of language Write in a friendly personal style directed to the student (“You will recall …”). Use examples where possible.

35. Best Practice #10: Design for the Screen A web page should contain a single coherent piece of learning A screen is not a page Do not merely convert existing print course to Web Chunk information Communicate more in graphics Consider the use of white space Use suitable fonts

36. Thank You! Monique Brewer Manager, Instructional Services Open School BC [email_address] (250) 952-6021 www. openschool .bc.ca