A Framework for Agile Instructional Development Sharon E. Bratt, PhD. Grant Macewan University

Agenda Introduction Purpose of the study Background to Agile Instructional Development Interest in AIDev Current status Research opportunities Q & A

Introduction Instructor – Instructional technology and human-computer interaction – Research interests include design and evaluation methodologies – Evaluation of e-learning methods and tools

What are your interests in Agile Instructional Development?

Agile Instructional Development. Is a development process that promotes iterative development throughout the life-cycle of the project, close collaboration between the development team and client and learner, constant communication, and tightly- knit teams.

Purpose of the study Typical instructional design practice is agile. Course is developed in modules (chapters) Work in sprints i.e. complete unit of instruction is developed. Entire course in developed incrementally Course continues to be reworked based on success/weaknesses of design (iterate) Could agile software development methods be used in the design of instruction?

Purpose of the study Could agile software development methods be used in the design of instruction? Why not? Literature review reveals very limited scholarly work No extant theory, methods, tools, evaluation practices

Purpose of the study Opportunity to development foundational research – Framework – Methodology – Prescriptive practices (methods and tools) Start with framework to identify scope

Background Agile Manifesto (Agile Alliance, 2001) of which the core beliefs are: Individuals and working software over comprehensive documentation Interactions over processes and tools Customer collaboration over contract negotiation Responding to change over following a plan

INSTRUCTIONAL SOLUTION

BACKGROUND The proposed framework is the intersection of two existing typologies derived from (1)the selected Agile Manifesto principles and (2)(2) Royteks categories of instructional design process components (2010).

Current status Framework needs validation – Case studies – Action research – Survey (Delphi method)

Preliminary Feedback Learner and Client collaboration Involve instructors and learners in the requirements activities – Place client on design team – Ensure client representative is on-site full-time How do we do this with learners? Request client/learner feedback from each iteration Conduct post release review

Next Step Case study using new HCI course – Case study using action research – Focus on limited number of framework components – How to involve learners – Develop strategies for involving learners and instructors throughout the project

Wisdom of the mob Who has been developing instruction using agile methods? Why do you use these methods? What has worked for you that you can share with others? What has not worked for you? What are some of the pain points?

Research opportunities Address some of the prior points Help to validate the framework through: – Case studies – Action research – Surveys Share research results in order to identify: – Modifications to framework – Best practices – Tool recommendations

Research opportunities Identify most suitable learning mode – Traditional – Online – Hybrid – Other?

Questions?