Section 7: New Directions for Instructional Design and Technology

The last section of your textbook discusses the concepts of distributed learning, reusability, rich media and the future of instructional design. Focus on the following for your post:

From Chapter 28 locate 5 examples of distributed learning. You may pick and choose from the following list.

Corporate distributed learning

Academic distributed learning:

Distributed learning in post-secondary education, particularly graduate-level education, is frequently composed of either completely online classes, or hybrid classes (see definition). Several of my classes at the TAMU-C Mesquite campus have been hybrid classes, while others have been online. All of my master's degree classes have been online, since I am attending Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Without distributed learning, attending this program would be impossible for me due to distance.

http://masters.discoveryeducation.com/

Distributed resource support

Hybrid classes:

Hybrid classes often consist of a combination of meetings or lectures at a physical classroom, as well as online interactions. This is a good option for adults living in close physical proximity to the educational institution, as the online portion allows for schedule flexibility, while the physical meetings allow face-to-face interaction with the instructor and fellow students.

Virtual classes

Distributed learning based at physical locations:

A good example of distributed learning taking place at a physical location is the E2020 program used at our high school for credit recovery. The students access the program at the high school, but the instruction and assessment are delivered over the internet. Often there is a faciliator onhand, but most of the instruction takes place using video-based lectures and online tests.

http://education2020.com/

Distributed learning via virtual institutions

For-profit distributed learning

Free distributed learning:

Many universities are making older courses available for free online as web sites, courseware, or podcast lectures. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the leaders in this field.

http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Other interesting free distributed learning sites I found are:

http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses

and http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/. (Although some of the iTunes University content is not free, there is a wealth of content that is free.)

Skills-based training:

Skills-based training entails learning specific skills or tasks. For the types of positions I am seeking, I will need to brush up on my graphics, animation, and video skills. I am looking at a variety of resources offered through Adobe at http://www.adobe.com/communities/.

Knowledge based learning

Chapter 29 discusses the concept of reusability. Think back over the courses you've had over your educational career and identify one with poor reusability characteristics. Explain how the course could be redesigned to improve reusability without changing the underlying content.

I am currently taking a history class which has recently been adapted from a lecture-type class to an online class. It could definitely use some redesign to be used currently and to make it more reusable in the future. First, the content needs to be broken down into more bite-size chunks. The content that we use for reference and the online forum discussions need to be able to be saved, and not be deleted after the assignment is due. This promotes reusability for the learner, who might want to reuse or refer to the content in the future, either as a learner or a teacher. The course is very book-centric, and could use some more open-ended assignments that would promote research using whatever sources are available at the time the course is being reused.

Chapter 30 takes a look at using rich media. Find or create a visual for instruction describing its surface and functional features.

I appreciated the information on p.316 of our textbook regarding transformational graphics. I was surprised to find that transformational graphics with clearcut still images or with arrows can be just as effective as animation or video when it comes to instruction. It's all in the delivery, or functional features of how well it conveys the message. I recently used a tutorial for unlocking and jailbreaking an old iphone. The tutorial is located at http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1880. At first glance, it is simply screen shots and text. However, the directions are very clear, showing step-by-step what must be done. It was very easy to follow and learn how to do the procedure. I have now rehabilitated an old iPhone and have it running with my T-mobile Sim card. (Take that, Verizon!)

Chapter 31 discusses the future of instructional technologies in the near future from metadata to nanotechnology. Describe how nanotechnology could be used to improve a specific job or task you are familiar with.

The two concepts that seemed most promising to me in the field of education are the use of epaper and wearable storage. I have been using the Kindle and Nook applications on my iPod touch this semester to read my history texts. My daughter has a school-issued laptop from the district she attends with all her textbooks on it. Moving to epaper is the next logical step for textbook adoption. It will be lightweight, and editable. Advancements in e-ink technology will make onscreen reading easier on the eyes, will allow text to be read aloud, and will allow the incorporation of visuals, such as video, animation, charts, graphs, etc.

As much as I consider myself a technology-loving geek, I am not the least bit anxious to put technology inside my body. Wearing a flash drive around my neck on a lanyard is a great convenience. Incorporating storage or access into clothing,jewelry, or your cell phone would be great, but I don't think I necessarily want it under my skin or wired into my head.

More Fashion-based video

More Tech-based, longer video

And finally! Chapter 32 provides two points of view on the direction of the field - the straight and narrow road and the broad and inclusive road. Which point of view do you agree with and why?

I think that the broad and inclusive road is the way to go, because things are constantly changing, and when it comes to instruction, education, and technology, the rate at which that change is taking place is increasingly accelerating. Right now I think media studies and systems thinking are two vary effective approaches. I think the marriage of gaming and virtual worlds technology with instructional technology is one area in which we will see big changes toward more effective instruction.