Selection of Instructional Methods and Media

Instructional Methods In design phase, the most important task is selecting the instructional method Definition – procedure or process used to attain an objective

Instructional Methods Examples Lecture, Demonstration, Self-study, Computer-Based Training (CBT), or On-The-Job Training (OJT) Responsibility for Selection Instructional Developer has overall responsibility or design team selects most effective, cost-efficient method

Instructional Methods Presentation Methods Lecture Demonstration Exhibit Indirect Discourse Assigned Reading Teaching Interview

Instructional Methods Student Verbal Interaction Questioning Programmed Questioning Student Query Seminar Discussion Knowledge Application Performance Case Study

Selection Considerations Several Factors Should be Considered… Constraints Geographical spread of target audience Availability of students and/or instructors Facility and Equipment Availability Development time

Selection Considerations Several Factors Should be Considered… Cost-Effectiveness Trained personnel requirements Content stability Amount of practice required

Selection Considerations Instructional Considerations Task criticality Learning difficulty Instructional fidelity (degree in which training should represent actual performance) Interaction level

Media Selection Selecting appropriate media insures that the information is presented in the most effective and efficient means possible Definition – Media are means, instruments, or materials used to communicate information

Media Selection Examples of types of Media: Classroom Instructor with classroom aids Multimedia Print Peer or Group Training devices and simulators

Media Characteristics Printed Media + Include common types of materials + Wide variety of application + Simple types are quick to prepare Sophisticated types are more expensive - Requires suitable reading ability

Media Characteristics Cont’d Overhead Transparencies + Information presented in systematic, developmental sequences + Simple to operate, speed controlled by instructor + Limited planning + Easy preparation + Useful with large groups

Media Characteristics Cont’d Overhead Transparencies Requires special equipment and skills for advanced preparation - Large, compared with other projectors

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Audiotape Recordings + Easy to prepare with regular tape recorders + Provides applications in most subjects + Equipment is compact, portable, easy to use + Flexible and adaptable + Duplication easy and economical

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Audiotape Recordings Tendency for overuse Fixed rate of information flow Low fidelity of small portable recorders

Media Characteristics, Cont’d 35-mm Slide Series + Requires only filming (processing, mounting done in) + Colorful, realistic results + Prepared with any 35-mm camera + Easily revised, updated, handled, stored and rearranged + Tray storage and remote control + Can be combined with tape narration + Group or individual use

Media Characteristics, Cont’d 35-mm Slide Series Requires some photography skill and special equipment for close-up and copying Can get out of sequence and be projected incorrectly if slides are handled incorrectly

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Multimedia Presentations + Demands attention; strong emotional impact + Compress large amounts of information into short presentation + More effective communications in certain situations

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Multimedia Presentations Requires additional equipment, complex setup, careful coordination Equipment and production costs high for complex programs

Media Characteristics, Cont’d PowerPoint Presentations + Can be used with various media equipment (overhead, computer) - Requires additional equipment, setup, planning, preparation and use

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Video and Film + Useful in describing motion, showing relationships, impact to topic + Allows instant replay + Video tape reusable + Special filming techniques (animation, time-lapse) + Combines still and motion on videodisc + Standardized film projector available anywhere

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Video and Film High cost for studio production equipment Fine detail resolution limited Incompatibility of some video format Value of investment reduced as videotape replaces film

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Interactive Courseware (ICW) + Presents text and graphics + Interaction with students + Maintains records of responses + Adapts to needs of learner + controls other media hardware + Can interface with computer and video

Media Characteristics, Cont’d Interactive Courseware (ICW) Requires computer programming skills Requires essential hardware and software to develop Incompatibility of hardware and software amoung different systems

Media Selection by Learning Outcomes Intellectual Skills Exclude: Media having no interactive feature Printed discourse for nonreaders Select: Media providing feedback to learner responses Audio and visual features for nonreaders

Media Selection by Learning Outcomes Cognitive Strategies Media providing feedback to learner responses Audio and visual features for nonreader Exclude: Media with no interactive feature Printed discourse for nonreader

Media Selection by Learning Outcomes Verbal Information Exclude: Only real equipment or simulator with no verbal accompaniments Complex prose for nonreader Select: Media able to present verbal messages and elaborations Auto and pictorial for nonreader

Media Selection by Learning Outcomes Attitudes Exclude: Only real equipment or simulator with no verb accompaniments Complex prose for nonreader Select: Media that is able to present realistic pictures of human model and model’s message

Media Selection by Learning Outcomes Motor Skills Exclude: Media having nor provision for learner response or feed back Select: Media making possible direct practice of skill with no information feedback

Media Selection Guidelines Should determine effectiveness and efficiency of instructional system: Design in relation to system constraints and instructional objectives Instructional strategy planned on types of learning involved Extent and impact of cost-effectiveness Availability of work hours, know-how, funds, delivery resources