Chapter 12 Instructional Materials

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Instructional Methods and Material are NOT the same and a clear distinction should be made between them . Instructional Methods are the way information is thought Instructional Material include print and non print media used to transmit information and the accompanying hardware and software needed for delivery.

Instructional Materials Definition: It is a vehicle by which information is communicated Purposes: to help the nurse educator deliver a message creatively and clearly intended to supplement, rather than replace, the act of teaching and the role of the teacher

General Principles of Effectiveness Media should: Change behavior by influencing a gain in cognitive, affective, and/or psychomotor skills Enhance learning—no one tool is better than another Complement the instructional methods

General Principles (cont’d) Media should (cont’d): Match available financial resources Be appropriate for physical environment Complement learners’ sensory abilities, developmental stage, and educational level Impart accurate, current, valid and appropriate messages Add diversity and information to learning

Choosing Instructional Materials Three Major Variables to Consider when choosing instructional material 1. Characteristics of the Learner Sensorimotor abilities Physical attributes Reading skills Motivational level Developmental stages Learning styles

CHOOSING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL 2. Characteristics of the Media Print Nonprint Models Audiovisual

CHOOSING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL 3. Characteristics of the Task Learning domain Complexity of behavior

Three Major Components of Instructional Materials Delivery System Definition : both the software (physical form) and the hardware used to present materials Examples Software (physical form) : Power Point slides , DVDs Hardware : computer, DVD players

COMPONENTS (CONT’D) 2. Content Definition: actual information imparted to the learner Selection criteria for content Accuracy Appropriateness for skill determination Readability

COMPONENTS (CONT’D) 3. Presentation Definition: Weston and Canston (1986) states that the form of the message; in other words how information is presented is the form most important for selecting/developing instructional materials They describe the form of the message as occurring a long a continuum from Concrete to Abstract including ;

COMPONENTS (CONT’D) Realia: most Concrete and accurate form of stimuli used to deliver information e.g . An actual woman or mannequin demonstrating breast-self examination Illusionary representations: Less concrete e.g. real life visual and auditory media such as audiotapes on how to discriminate between normal and abnormal lung sound Symbolic representations: most abstract types of message /stimuli used for instruction e.g. Audiotapes ,oral; presentation, graphs written text ,handout….

Types of Instructional Materials Written (Printed) Materials

Written (Printed) Materials Advantages Available to learner in absence of teacher Widely acceptable, familiar Readily available Relatively cheap Convenient form Learner controls rate of reading Content easily altered to target specific audiences

WRITTEN MATERIALS (CONT’D) Disadvantages Most abstract form of reality Immediate feedback limited Proper reading level essential for full usefulness Less useful with low literate learners or visually or cognitively impaired learners Inappropriate for illiterate learners

Written Materials Example of Written Materials ; Commercially Prepared materials These materials includes material that prepared by companies that may or may not produced in collaboration with health professionals ,which raises the questions of how factual the information may be.

Written Materials Factors to be considered when using Commercially Prepared materials Who produced the item? Was there any input by healthcare professionals? Can the item be previewed? The price must be consistent with its educational value.

Written Materials Example of Written Materials ;Instructor Composed Material Educators may choose to write their own instructional material for the purpose of cost saving or the need to tailor content to specific audience.

Guidelines for writing Effective Instructor Composed Material Fit your own institution’s policies, procedures and equipment. Build in answers to those questions asked most frequently by your patients. Highlight points considered especially important by your healthcare team. Reinforce specific oral instructions and clarify difficult concepts.

Evaluating Printed Materials Educator must consider : Nature of the audience Literacy level required Linguistic variety available Brevity and clarity Layout and appearance Opportunity for repetition Concreteness and familiarity

DEMONSTRATION MATERIALS Demonstration materials includes many types of non-print media, such as models and real equipment as well as displays, such as posters ,diagrams, illustrations ,charts bulletin boards …..

DEMONSTRATION MATERIALS Advantages Fast way to attract attention, make a point Flexible Portable Reusable Stimulate interest or ideas in observer Can change or influence attitudes Purchasable and/or can be made

DEMONSTRATION MATERIALS (CONT’D) Disadvantages Take up a lot of space Time-consuming to prepare—often reused, outdated May be overused Unsuitable for large audiences

Demonstration Materials Models

Demonstration Materials Models are usually three-dimensional instructional tools that allow the learner to immediately apply knowledge and psychomotor skills by observing ,examining ,manipulating handling ,assembling and disassembling objects while the teacher provides feedback (Rankin & Stealing 2001)

Demonstration Materials Models Advantages Useful when real object is too small, too large, too expensive, unavailable, or too complex Allows safe, hands-on practice More active involvement by the learner with immediate feedback available Readily available

DEMONSTRATION MATERIALS MODELS (CONT’D) Disadvantages May not be suitable for learner with poor abstraction abilities or for visually impaired Some models fragile, expensive, bulky, or difficult to transport Cannot be observed or manipulated by more than a few learners at a time

Demonstration Materials Displays

Demonstration Materials Displays such as chalkboards, boards, flipchart are two-dimensional objects ,they are useful tools for a variety of teaching purposes to clarify, reinforce or summarize information on important topics and themes.

Demonstration Materials Displays Babcock and Miller (1994) suggested important guidelines when using chalkboards and white marker boards as follows; Be sure that writing is legible and discernible Step a side and face the audience after putting notations on the boards to maintain contact with audience Allow audience time to copy the message Enlist a good note taker to capture a creative design or record an idea before the board is erased

Demonstration Materials Posters Which poster is more helpful ….!!!

Demonstration Materials Although they are a type of display material ,posters are being addressed separately because they have become increasingly unique, popular and important educational tools

Demonstration Materials Posters When using poster the educators must Consider: Color (opposite spectrum, one color should make up as 70% of the display) Graphics should be easily interpreted White space and another background color Avoid unfamiliar words and symbols KISS principle (keep it small and simple) Keep learning objectives in mind for the focus of the display tool Be sure content is free from spelling and grammar mistake Balance Titles / Script

Audiovisual Materials Factors in selection Technical feasibility Economic feasibility Social/political acceptability Instructor familiarity

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS Technology software and hardware are exceptional aids because many can influence all three domains of learning by promoting cognitive development ,stimulating attitude change, and helps to build psychomotor skills

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS Audiovisual materials can be categorized in to five major types ; Projected Learning Resources Audio Learning Resources Video Learning Resources Telecommunications Learning Resources Computer Learning Resources

Projected Learning Resources Projected Learning Resources such as; Power Points Overhead transparencies

Projected Learning Resources Advantages Most effectively used with groups Especially beneficial with hearing-impaired, low- literate learners Excellent media for use in teaching psychomotor skills

PROJECTED LEARNING RESOURCES (CONT’D) Disadvantages Lack of flexibility due to static content of some forms Some forms may be expensive Requires darkened room for some forms Requires special equipment for use

Audio Learning Resources Audio Learning Resources includes CDs, Digital Sound Files, Radio Advantages Widely available May be especially beneficial to visually-impaired, low literate learners May be listened to repeatedly Most forms practical, cheap, small, portable

AUDIO LEARNING RESOURCES (CONT’D) Disadvantages Relies only on sense of hearing Some forms may be expensive Lack of opportunity for interaction between instructor and learner

Video Learning Resources Video Learning Resources includes ; Digital Video Files, DVDs, Webinars Advantages Widely used educational tool Inexpensive; uses visual, auditory senses Flexible for use with different audiences Powerful tool for role-modeling and demonstration Effective for teaching psychomotor skills

VIDEO LEARNING RESOURCES (CONT’D) Disadvantages Viewing formats limited depending on use of VHS or DVD Some commercial products may be expensive Some purchased materials may be too long or inappropriate for audience

Telecommunications Learning Resources Telecommunications Learning Resources includes Television, Telephones Advantages Relatively inexpensive, widely available Disadvantages Complicated to set up interactive capability Expensive to broadcast via satellite

Computer Learning Resources In our technological society ,the computer has changed our lives dramatically and has found widespread application in industry, business, schools and homes Examples of Computer Learning Resources (See chapter 12 page 504)

COMPUTER LEARNING RESOURCES (CONT’D)

COMPUTER LEARNING RESOURCES Advantages Interactive potential: quick feedback, retention Potential database is enormous Can individualize to suit different types of learners, different pace of learning Time efficient

COMPUTER LEARNING RESOURCES (CONT’D) Disadvantages Primary learning efficacy: cognitive domain less useful for attitude/behavior change or psychomotor skill development Software and hardware expensive Must be purchased Limited use for most older adults, low-literate learners, those with physical limitations

Evaluation Criteria for Selecting Materials Considerations for Selecting Materials Learner characteristics Task(s) to be achieved Media available

State of the Evidence Performance is improved and learner satisfaction increased with visual reinforcement. Distance learning is an increasingly viable option for learners.

Learning Pyramid ; information retention based on the level of active learner involvement Source : Adopted from National Training Laboratories. Institutes of Applied Behavioral Science

Summary Instructional materials should be used to support learning by complementing and supplementing your teaching, not by substituting for it.