Damian Gordon Gordon Bull Blood from the Shoulder of Pallas: Using Learning Style as a guide when developing learning materials for a Virtual Learning Environment Damian Gordon Gordon Bull DIT e-Learning Research Group

Introduction “the medium is the message” Computer-Assisted Learning 2003 “the medium is the message” 3rd Level Topics can sometimes be complex and dense, for example ; Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM)

S.S.A.D.M. A methodology to structure a project into small, well-defined activities and specify the sequence and interaction of these activities

S.S.A.D.M. A methodology to structure a project into small, well-defined activities and specify the sequence and interaction of these activities Uses diagrammatic and other modelling techniques to give a more precise (structured) definition is understandable by both users and developers

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M. One of the few ‘open’ methods available for information systems development A very comprehensive ‘organisational’ method Developed by the British civil service

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M. Broken up into six stages, but because it is an ‘organisational’ methodology given the proper inputs a developer (or student) should be able to start at any stage.

How to Teach it ? In a theoretical fashion with worked out examples and analysing case studies As a series of case studies for the students A combination of both … Each approach will appeal to some students and definitely not to others (customisation?)

VLEs Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) provide a range of tools to address a range of student styles, the question is, which tools for which styles ???

Virtual Learning Environment Utilities e-mail Calendar Metadata Portal Active User List Chat Utility Lecture Viewer Simple Assessment Discussion Boards Whiteboard

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator F T P J

E N S Extraversion Introversion Intuition Sensing Feeling F T Thinking MBTI Extraversion E Introversion I Intuition N Sensing S Feeling F T Thinking Perceptive P J Judging

Extraversion MBTI E I Introversion

E Extraversion Introversion Wants to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them. LEARNS BY TEACHING OTHERS Extraversion MBTI E I Introversion

E Extraversion Introversion Wants to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them. LEARNS BY TEACHING OTHERS Extraversion MBTI E I Gathers information from numerous sources. Likes to reflect and clarify before speaking CONCERNED WITH THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING Introversion

Group Work Individual Work E Extraversion Introversion Wants to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them. LEARNS BY TEACHING OTHERS Group Work Extraversion MBTI E I Individual Work Gathers information from numerous sources. Likes to reflect and clarify before speaking CONCERNED WITH THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING Introversion

E Extraversion Introversion e-mail Chat Utility I Metadata Portal Whiteboard Extraversion Active User List MBTI Chat Utility E I Metadata Portal e-mail Introversion Discussion Boards

Intuition MBTI N S Sensing

Interested in the patterns and relationships between the facts, discovery learning, they try to develop new original solutions LIKE SIMULATIONS OR EXPERIMENTS Intuition MBTI N S Sensing

Interested in the patterns and relationships between the facts, discovery learning, they try to develop new original solutions LIKE SIMULATIONS OR EXPERIMENTS Intuition MBTI N S Focus on facts and details. Like structured lectures, guidelines and objectives. Tend to apply standard solutions CONCERNED WITH WHAT MUST BE KNOWN Sensing

CASE STUDY THEORY N S Intuition Sensing Interested in the patterns and relationships between the facts, discovery learning, they try to develop new original solutions LIKE SIMULATIONS OR EXPERIMENTS CASE STUDY Intuition MBTI N S Focus on facts and details. Like structured lectures, guidelines and objectives. Tend to apply standard solutions CONCERNED WITH WHAT MUST BE KNOWN THEORY Sensing

N S Intuition Sensing e-mail Chat Utility Active User List Whiteboard MBTI Chat Utility N S Discussion Boards Sensing e-mail

Feeling MBTI F T Thinking

Subjective in their decision making and consider how their decisions affect others, like small group exercises OPEN-ENDED CONSTRUCTIVISTIC FORMATS Feeling MBTI F T Thinking

Subjective in their decision making and consider how their decisions affect others, like small group exercises OPEN-ENDED CONSTRUCTIVISTIC FORMATS Feeling MBTI F T Reply on analysis, logic and existing principles. Like tests to measure progress. ANALYSE CASE STUDIES Thinking

CASE STUDY THEORY Feeling F T Thinking Subjective in their decision making and consider how their decisions affect others, like small group exercises OPEN-ENDED CONSTRUCTIVISTIC FORMATS CASE STUDY Feeling MBTI F T Reply on analysis, logic and existing principles. Like tests to measure progress. ANALYSE CASE STUDIES THEORY Thinking

Simple Assessment Feeling F T Thinking e-mail Chat Utility Whiteboard Active User List MBTI Chat Utility F T Simple Assessment Discussion Boards Thinking e-mail

Perceptive MBTI P J Judging

Prefer flexibility and adaptability, often postpone doing work until the very last minute SEEK INFORMATION UNTIL THE DEADLINE (AND OFTEN BEYOND) Perceptive MBTI P J Judging

Prefer flexibility and adaptability, often postpone doing work until the very last minute SEEK INFORMATION UNTIL THE DEADLINE (AND OFTEN BEYOND) Perceptive MBTI P J Prefer structure and organisation, appreciate any resources that can help them plan their work DEADLINES ARE SACRED Judging

Do NOT group with Js Do NOT group with Ps Perceptive P J Judging Prefer flexibility and adaptability, often postpone doing work until the very last minute SEEK INFORMATION UNTIL THE DEADLINE (AND OFTEN BEYOND) Do NOT group with Js Perceptive MBTI P J Prefer structure and organisation, appreciate any resources that can help them plan their work DEADLINES ARE SACRED Do NOT group with Ps Judging

Perceptive Calendar MBTI P J Metadata Portal Judging

Algorithm N S E F T P J Solo Work Case Study Case Study Group Work all Ps Theory Theory P J Group Work all Js

Virtual Learning Environment Utilities (revisited) e-mail Calendar Metadata Portal Active User List Chat Utility Lecture Viewer Simple Assessment Discussion Boards Whiteboard

Simple Assessment Learning Style = ENFP e-mail Case Study Metadata Calendar Metadata Portal Active User List Chat Utility Case Study Simple Assessment Discussion Boards Whiteboard

Simple Assessment Learning Style = ISTJ e-mail Theory Metadata Portal Calendar Metadata Portal Active User List Chat Utility Theory Simple Assessment Discussion Boards Whiteboard

Simple Assessment Learning Style = ENTJ e-mail Case Study & Theory Calendar Metadata Portal Active User List Chat Utility Case Study & Theory Simple Assessment Discussion Boards Whiteboard

Simple Assessment Alternative View e-mail Chat Utility Metadata Portal Calendar Chat Utility e-mail Discussion Boards Lecture Viewer Active User List Simple Assessment Whiteboard Metadata Portal

Simple Assessment Alternative View e-mail Constructivist Chat Utility Calendar Chat Utility e-mail Discussion Boards Lecture Viewer Active User List Simple Assessment Whiteboard Metadata Portal

Simple Assessment Alternative View e-mail Constructivist Behaviorist Calendar Chat Utility e-mail Discussion Boards Lecture Viewer Active User List Simple Assessment Whiteboard Metadata Portal

Lecturer Generated Materials Alternative View Constructivist Behaviorist Calendar Chat Utility e-mail Discussion Boards Lecture Viewer Active User List Simple Assessment Whiteboard Metadata Portal Case Study Theory Lecturer Generated Materials

S.S.A.D.M.

Little Owl The Little Owl’s claws Athena, the Greek point in an inward direction, therefore to rest upon Athena’s shoulder, the Little Owl must have drawn blood Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, had a companion Owl on her shoulder which revealed unseen truths to her. Her owl had the ability to light up Athena’s blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth