Subject: Discussion of Models

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 217 Author: Margaret L. Rice Date: Saturday, January 8, 2005 12:00pm Discuss which model(s) you prefer for instructional design and why.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 809 Author: Laura Whiting Date: Sunday, February 18, 2007 2:11pm Even after reading the required documents, and many of the optional ones, I don't know that I have a single "favourite" model of Instructional Design. It seems to me that the "best" approach to instructional design is one that the developer is comfortable working with and that is effective with the material being taught. I think the ADDIE model makes sense, but it does not exclude the other approaches. ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) includes necessary steps for any project, not just pedagogical applications. Neglecting any of these stages, it seems to me, can lead to a poor end result. Knowledge of the subject matter is not sufficient to create effective online teaching materials. This is where training and facilitation and established methodologies and mentoring can mean the difference between transitioning effective classroom teaching to technology-based teaching. The use of the other models is also subject to the preferences of the instructor and the way they choose to interact with the students. I would combine cognitive, instructivist, and constructivist approaches with readings, role- playing, case studies, group work, scaffolding on previous courses... There is probably no single "right" way that will work for all students, teachers, and subjects. I think the instructor must be willing to re-evaluate their approach periodically, keeping abreast of available technologies, assessing feedback from the students regarding their opinions of the presentation, taking into considerations the personalities and backgrounds of the students, and of course, working within the budget and infrastructure of their institutions. Instructional technology is a moving target and pedagogical styles different. I'll try to keep an open mind and keep abreast of the literature and be willing to incorporate new methodologies and my own experiences into the design process.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 811 Author: Christopher Inman Date: Sunday, February 18, 2007 9:07pm I know I haven't posted my answer to the question yet, but I just wanted to say that I really like that comment you made Laura, how instructional technology is a moving target. I think that sums up instructional technology pretty well. Technology is constantly changing and adapting, and we have to continue to change and adapt as well. I just wanted to say I really liked your comment.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 814 Author: Carolyn Starkey Date: Monday, February 19, 2007 12:56pm I also like the ADDIE for its simplicity. This seems to be the basic model- -other researchers appear to be defining each stage in greater detail.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 822 Author: Robert Vilardi Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:38am I totally agree that there is no single "right" method that can be used for all disciplines and for all students. One of the biggest drawbacks to technology is when the full potential is never realized because the educator is afraid to let loose of the control. Today's technological natives learn in much different manners that we do and as educators we must be open to new strategies and new benchmarks for learning. Alvin Toffler stated that "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who can't read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."

As educators we need to make sure that we do not become illiterate.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 823 Author: Rhonda Crim-Tumelson Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 9:23am Robert, I completely agree that digital natives learn differently and that educators should respond with flexibility and innovation. As Stephen Abram (a forward thinking librarian) says, "The user is not broken."

On the other hand, digital natives are learning a high quanitity of skills, and not much quality. It is the educator's charge to encourage depth in these experiences, even if that means using the low-tech idea of sitting still for a moment and listening. ;)

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 835 Author: Brenda Gibson Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:12pm I also agree that there is no one method to be used for all disciplines and for all students because every child learns differently. Digital natives are steadily increasing at a fast pace in society. Digital natives pick up new devices and start experimenting with them immediately. It is their belief that the inherent design of the devices will teach them how to use the new device by instinct. They are not fearful of making mistakes because there mind set is like a trail and error learning and they learn more quickly through this method. In addition, the use of wiki to enhance learning is also steadily increasing at a fast pace in society. Wiki is a server program that allows users to work together in forming the content of a Website. Any user can edit the site content using a regular Web browser. Wikis can be used in the classroom to enable team-work and online collaboration among groups of students. For example, wiki can be used to allow students from many classes or even multiple schools can work in partnership to write online articles on subjects that they learned in Social Studies class and etc. The wiki structure makes it feasible for several students to work on the assignment at the same time. I believe that implementing wiki programs in the school’s classroom would be a valuable tool to enhance education and learning.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 836 Author: Kimberly Moody Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:21pm I agree that wikis are gaining popularity in education, but many districts have blocked wikis because they are forums. My district has totally blocked this form of communication for our students. The teachers can get around the filter, but cannot share this information with students. I mentioned the idea of open source software that allowed for wikis to be used within our district, but our network administrator did not really like that idea. Are any districts allowing blogs and wikis without problems?

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 831 Author: Jackie Edwards Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:10pm I agree that all educators should be schooled in advanced technology usage. However, I think until the past five years no one has made any attempt to offer technology courses for educators to take. I know in my system they only offer a couple of courses a year and those fill up so quickly that almost no one can get trained. I want to know how to use everything that is available. I go around and ask others who are good at technology to try to get "trained" as much as possible just by trail and error. Technology training for educators is a weakness nationwide in my opinion. We should have more access to training so we can better serve our students.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 837 Author: Virginia Vilardi Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 8:27pm I also agree with Laura - there is not a single perfect design. One must be flexible enough to change when technology changes or one finds out that the methods being used are not working anymore. The ADDIE model, does build into it this flexibility if the instructor uses it correctly. When the evaluation of the product is done the instructor can see if it is working or not. If it is working than just tweeking it or adding supplementary material may be enough improvement. If it is not working than starting the whole process over may be necessary.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 812 Author: Jackie Edwards Date: Monday, February 19, 2007 6:42am Sorry, I am reposting this because I posted it in the wrong place last night. Too tired I guess.

I enjoyed our readings. The history was really interesting because I was unaware that the field of instructional technology has been around as long as it has. Our county uses the CCC system that was designed and constructed by IBM initially in 1967. When I read the date of 1967 I was shocked. That was forty years ago. Why has it taken so long for instructional technology to finally reach out into our schools? Was it the cost? Was it the failure of our universities to train new teachers to make use of it? What made such a long lapse between initial implementation and real use?

Also, from our readings, it was apparent that the beginnings of instructional technologies were during WWII with the use of training films. However, the basic explosion of technology into the field of education has only happened in the last few years. When I first started teaching (1983) we did not have any technology resources and I am sure that there are many schools that still do not have many technologies available. In my classroom today I have only two out of four computers that will work. We have no smart boards. But I have felt fortunate to have United Streaming linked on our television. That has been a great help.

I enjoyed reading about the models. I finally think I even could see an umbrella type arrangement with the discussion. The models that we were reading were the prescriptive models because they are models that guide you to develop a plan (lesson) that will lead to a predetermined result (objective mastery). These models are trying to achieve certain learner outcomes. As teachers learner outcomes are our goals.

I am not sure that I can say that any one model was any better than another model. I think that the model you choose would probably be based on which one you are most comfortable with. It appears that any of the models would get the job done. However, I can say that I liked the Dick and Carey Model because it was so detailed. As a novice I think this would be a good one to go by because you are less likely to stray off the road.

The Gerlach-Ely Design Model also seemed to be for a novice designer but one who had a lot of knowledge in the content area. I am not sure if that is accurate but that is how I felt. It was also good but not quiet as novice friendly as the Dick and Carey Model.

The ADDIE Method was also very clear. However, I felt that this model would be more beneficial to students who are very familiar with all the parts that need to be included for a good outcome. I felt it was a good outline for an expert designer but not for a novice who needs more guidance.

The ISD Model seemed the same as the ADDIE Method to me. It had the same five sections but of course I cannot be sure of this because I am new to the studies. However, they seemed very similar to me. It also felt more like an outline guide for an expert designer.

Robert Gagné's Instructional Design Approach is based on the type of learning outcome you are striving to achieve. I think this could go along with any of the models you use. The nine basic variations could help guide you in reaching your desired outcome. It seemed to me to be very useful.

I also really liked the section titled Competencies and Skills for Instructional Designers by Analysis & Technology, Inc. This was very informative to me because I am just learning what is expected from an instructional designer. It was great. I especially liked the advice to develop a flowchart and storyboard to clearly delineate your desired outcomes. It also goes into so much detail about your step-by-step planning method. I think this could really be a great help for my tutorial.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 816 Author: Christopher Inman Date: Monday, February 19, 2007 4:58pm First I would like to add that I also found the page, Competencies and Skills for Instructional Designers by Analysis & Technology, Inc., helpful. Since I am relative beginner at this, it's great to have such a detailed list of competencies and related skills available to help me through the instructional design process, at least until I have it down my heart.

As far as which model I liked and why, at first it was somewhat difficult to choose because there so much information to take in and process. However, as I continued to read it really came down to a combination of the ADDIE model and the ISD model. I like the ADDIE model because it is simple, straight forward and easy to use. It also appears to be very adaptive. I also like the ISD model, particularly the ISD Model Flowchart using the ADDIE components. I appreciate the fact that it is clear that design is a constant process of improvement, and that information and data gathering is continuous at every phase of the process.

I also enjoyed reading the following selection: Managers and supervisors often need quick and ingenious solutions, not another bureaucracy. In other words, the training department's motto should be: "We provide training solutions!" Not, "We follow the ISD model." I love that, and that is exactly how I feel. Bureaucracy and red tape drive me crazy, and I am a solutions oriented person. We should never say "We do this because it says we are supposed to", and we should have to consult a dozen people at several different levels before we provide a solution.

I also like that both ISD and ADDIE together make it clear that going through each phase is a fluid process, and there are times that require skipping a phase altogether or spending more time on a particular phase than you normally would. Everything is dependent upon the people involved in the design process, and the end-users, the students or clients. It is also clear that the clients/students are the primary focus, and that we must remember that it is they who we are trying to serve or help in some way.

I hope I've answered the question in a satisfactory manner.

Reply Reply privately Quote Download Message no. 817 Author: Christopher Inman Date: Monday, February 19, 2007 5:02pm I felt like I should repost what I said after reading it....I got ahead of myself and forgot some words. I apologize.

First I would like to add that I also found the page, Competencies and Skills for Instructional Designers by Analysis & Technology, Inc., helpful. Since I am a relative beginner at this, it's great to have such a detailed list of competencies and related skills available to help me through the instructional design process, at least until I have it down by heart.

As far as which model I liked and why, at first it was somewhat difficult to choose because there was so much information to take in and process. However, as I continued to read, it really came down to a combination of the ADDIE model and the ISD model. I like the ADDIE model because it is simple, straight forward and easy to use. It also appears to be very adaptive. I also like the ISD model, particularly the ISD Model Flowchart using the ADDIE components. I appreciate the fact that it is clear that design is a constant process of improvement, and that information and data gathering is continuous at every phase of the process.

I also enjoyed reading the following selection: Managers and supervisors often need quick and ingenious solutions, not another bureaucracy. In other words, the training department's motto should be: "We provide training solutions!" Not, "We follow the ISD model." I love those statements, and that is exactly how I feel. Bureaucracy and red tape drive me crazy, and I am a solutions oriented person. We should never say "We do this because it says we are supposed to", and we should not have to consult a dozen people at several different levels before we provide a solution.

I also like that both ISD and ADDIE together make it clear that going through each phase is a fluid process, and there are times that require skipping a phase altogether or spending more time on a particular phase than you normally would. Everything is dependent upon the people involved in the design process, and the end-users, the students or clients. It is also clear that the clients/students are the primary focus, and that we must remember that it is they who we are trying to serve or help in some way.

I hope I've answered the question in a satisfactory manner.