Link to Class 3/4      Link to  Class 2     Link to  Class 1

Overview:

• Instructional Design
• Instructional Design on a Macro Level
• Learner Needs Analysis
• User Interface Design
• Instructional Design on a Micro Level
• Your Task

Instructional Design

Instructional design operates on a macro and micro level. On a macro level it looks at the learning on a larger scale (it may consist of several resources) on a micro level you need to ensure that your individual resource is suitable and easily understood.

Macro Level

To ensure that you applying good instructional design to your e-learning resources ensure that your resources include:

Step 1 Pre-requisites:

•  Learner Needs Analysis
• Prepare the content (by content expert)
• User interface (User-centred design)

The content needs to be prepared by or with the help of a content expert, eg a learning resource on how to bake a variety of breads using sourdough for some as well as yeast for other breads needs a content expert, a baker to ensure that the steps taken are correct and the ingredients are suitable.

The User Interface is extremely important for e-learning resources. Some user interfaces use touch screens (tablets, smart phones), mouse, keyboard or a  joystick  (computers) or a controller (Xbox360 or PS3). Some new technologies work with motion capture technology, such as Xbox Kinect or with a hybrid such as the PS Move and the Wii.

The most central aspect of a User Interface is that it is easy to use.

Step 2:

• The overall goal
• Objectives
• Content
• Methods of instruction (create a Flow-chart of steps of E-learning resource)
• Learner evaluation strategies (test with results)

The overall goal describes what the learner will be able to do after completing the instruction.
The objectives describe what the learner will learn during the lesson.
The content describes what will be taught in order to achieve the objectives.
The methods of instruction describe how the content will be taught.
The learner evaluation strategies describe how the learner will be evaluated to see if he or she has obtained the objectives (eg a test or a level is achieved and a new level unlocked).

Micro Level

A lesson should commence with the objectives and an overview of the main ideas to be learned.

Normally the instructor also states the motivation for learning the content, the prerequisites the learner needs to learn the content and the agenda for the lesson.

In your e-learning resource you might be able to use an alternative for the instructor; there could be the option of a narrator or simply a written instruction.

During the lesson the content will be explained and demonstrated, and then the learner will practice doing what the instructor demonstrated (recalling facts, identifying concepts, predicting by using principles, or performing a psychomotor skill). The instructor may provide feedback on the practice and the learner may have the chance to repeat the lesson.

Next the learner or user will take action.

At the end of the lesson the instructor summarizes what was learned, integrates the lesson with the previous and next lessons, restates the objective, and tests the learner.

In short the micro level includes:

• Objective
• Overview
• Motivation
• Explanation (to allow learning)
• Taking Action
• Evaluation

Task 1

For 25 minutes research Graphic User Interfaces. Choose Google, DzineBlog, WIRED, Mashable or even CommArts (see links at the side – Links to inspire you.) Collect your findings in a PowerPoint Show.

Discussion: Select 2 GUIs and discuss how they work. Do they use buttons? Do they use touch screen technology? Do they use a device, controller or motion capture device? How well do they perform for their intended function.

Select 2 of your favourite GUIs and place links in a comment (below this post) with your full name.

Discussion: Compare WordPress and MyKangan as platforms. What are your experiences? Are the buttons intuitive?

Here are two resources I recommend to you to read before next class (open the link or the Word document)

• User Interface Design in Modern Web Applications from Smashing Magazine: UI Design – SmashingMagazine
• Principles of User Interface Design by Joshua Porter on Bokardo: Principles of UI Design – Bokardo

If you missed the class please supply a sample of a GUI as a link in  a comment.

Next Week:

We will simplify and existing interface.