This presentation discusses the process of developing instructional materials. It involves determining the designer's role in materials development and instructional delivery. The designer must select appropriate delivery methods and media while considering existing materials, production constraints, and the level of instructor facilitation needed. An instructional package includes the materials, assessments, and course information. Formative evaluation through rough drafts and rapid prototyping helps ensure the final product meets its objectives.

1. Developing
Instructional
Materials
Presented by Larry F. Cobb
April 29, 2014

2. Background
 In this presentation, we look at
instructional design development,
considerations involved with the design,
and steps involved in the process.

3. Objective
 To discuss and give clarity to the following
subjects:
 The Designer’s Role in Materials
Development and Instructional Delivery
 The Delivery System and Media Selections
 Components of an Instructional Package
 Existing Instructional Materials
 Instructional Materials and Formative
Evaluation

4. What is Instructional Material?
 Once the instructional strategy has been
completed, it is time for the designer
create the instructional material.
 Instructional material is print or other
mediated instruction used by a student to
achieve an instructional goal.

5. The Designer’s Role in
Materials Development
When the Designer is Also the Materials
Developer and the Instructor
 The instructional setting usually creates a
one stop shop where the designer is also
the developer and teacher of the
instruction.
 An example of this the teacher or
professor that do the lesson plans, syllabi,
materials and instruction.

6. The Designer’s Role in
Materials Development con’t
 Instruction is generally delivered in one of
three methods
 Designed to be delivered independently of
the instructor (Facilitator)
 Materials selected and adapted to their
instructional strategy (Mix between
Facilitator and Active Agent)
 Instructor personally delivers instruction
(Active Agent)

7. The Designer’s Role in
Materials Development con’t
When the Designer is Not the Instructor
 Large companies sometimes utilize an
instructional designer that works with a
team to do the design, development and
implementation.
 Teams are awesome because they
ensure the connection between the
designer and the learner that having just
a single designer can’t do.

8. The Delivery System and
Media Selections
As specifications are revised, there may be a
need to revisit the delivery system and media
selections
There are three factors that often compromise
the selections:
1. Availability of existing instructional materials
2. Productions and implementation constraints
3. Amount of facilitation that the instructor will
provide during instruction

9. The Delivery System and
Media Selections con’t
Availability of Existing Instructional Materials
 Existing materials can be an alternative to
the developing and producing new
materials.
 They also be substituted for planned
materials.
 An example would be pre-recorded
workshop on workplace bullying that can
be copied and distributed.

10. The Delivery System and
Media Selections con’t
Production and Implementation Constraints
 Media formats and delivery systems can be
very expensive, but utilizing techniques to
reduce costs general does not affect
learning.
 Costs associated with duplication and
distribution can be costly as well. However,
there are methods of such as powerpoint or
web streaming that can defray some of the
costs.

11. The Delivery System and
Media Selections con’t
Amount of Instructor Facilitation
 New delivery systems are attempting to
recreate the face to face instruction
experience in a method that only requires
instructor facilitation
 An example would the growing use of
Blackboard in college and university
settings.

12. Components of and
Instructional Package
Once you have determined that the delivery
system and media selections may need to be
reevaluated, it is time to either select existing
materials, develop new ones, or write specs
for a system to be designed for you

13. Components of and
Instructional Package con’t
Components that make up a package:
1. Instructional Material – Materials must contain
content that at student will use to achieve the
objectives
2. Assessments – Materials should be
accompanied by objective tests or by
product or performance assessments
3. Course Management Information – A general
description of the total package that provides
an overview of the material is also very
important.

14. Existing Instructional Materials
 Once instructional strategy is developed, it
is now time to determine if there are existing
materials that can be used to achieve the
objectives.
 Categories of criteria are used for planning
material evaluation.

15. Existing Instructional Materials
con’t
5 Categories of Criteria
1. Goal-Centered
2. Learner-Centered
3. Learning-Centered
4. Context-Centered
5. Technical Criteria

16. Instructional Materials and
Formative Evaluation
Rough Draft Materials
 The purpose of doing a rough draft of
materials is to create a quick low-cost
version of your design to have something
to guide final production and to take into
formative evaluation and try out with a
subject-matter expert, several learners, or
a group of learners.

17. Instructional Materials and
Formative Evaluation con’t
Rapid Prototyping
 Rapid prototyping is the process of using
prototype approximations of a software
design in order to test whether the
application meets the design
specifications.
 This a way to better ensure success at the
final product.

18. Instructional Materials and
Formative Evaluation con’t
Material Development Tools and Resources
 Material production requires a skill set.
Tools and resources are used to provide
instruction such as how-to guides, etc.
 This media is updated rather frequently to
included new developments that make
the instructions easier as the technology
advances.

19. Lifelong Learner Summary
 As lifelong learner, developing instructional
materials is a very intense process. It involves
various steps that could include
development, production, design, and
evaluation.
 As the process continues, it may require
changes in regard to what delivery methods
and media may be used. The lifelong learner
must stay current on the advancements and
be capable or inserting them as viable
options.

20. Larry F. Cobb
 Email: lfcobb@alasu.edu