Siemens - Instructional Design in Elearning

Have been out of action for a week with a Year 8 camp and now getting back into it again...

Looking at Module 1 again to ensure I have the right perspective and notivced that I didn't mention the Siemens article....this was most helpful in the Module 1 Actvities as it outlined and clarified a whole range of loose ends that I have had since the course started.

Particular thoughts:

• Instructional Design is the systematic process of translating general principles of learning and instruction into plans for instructional materials and learning
• similar to lesson planning, but more elaborate and more detailed
• Instructional design provides a framework for the creative process of design, and ensures the learners' needs are met
• Instructional Design is the art and science of creating an instructional environment and materials that will bring the learner from the state of not being able to accomplish certain tasks to the state of being able to accomplish those tasks. Instructional Design is based on theoretical and practical research in the areas of cognition, educational psychology, and problem solving

In reading through the models, I started instantly applying the different models to some of the situations that I need to teach in....eg

• ADDIE - for developing the teaching skills of the whole school staff over a long period
• Algo-Heuristic -for teaching programming
• Minimalism - as suggested is good for computer training which I do with staff and students.
• Epathic Instructional Design - this model seems relevant for a particular course I teach in information processes.

Overall:

• ID is a quality process. It seeks to ensure that critical concepts are explored through content presentation and learning activities.
• ID is to serve the learning needs and success of students through effective presentation of content and fostering of interaction

Benefits:
Out of all the benefits listed later in the article, I find that the most relevant for me is the way that ID can give structure and reason to what I do. I crave structure in my teaching, learning and life. Yet I have been wading through teaching with ideas, dreams and ad-hoc methods of instructional design...I am looking forward to developing my skills in ID and more importantly, gaining a base for the plans that I have. In the words of the late Big Kev - "I'm excited!"