Solutions:
Instructional Technology

Optimize learning and cultivate loyal students

Thoughtful instruction takes careful planning. Instructional technology can transform the way we teach and learn, making education more effective, efficient, and engaging.

Instructional designers work with you, the subject matter expert, to assess your learning goals and outcomes and develop a plan for instruction utilizing the most appropriate pedagogies and technologies.

Applications

Rewards such as badges or bonus points for completing tasks
Digital flashcards, such as Quizlets, for subject matter that requires memorization
Lessons include explicitly stated learning outcomes, and content builds upon students’ prior knowledge in structured fashion
Assessments should reflect learning goals and provide rapid feedback
Mentored practice and feedback in real-world problem solving scenarios
Advance organizers including visual representations like flowcharts, diagrams, or concept maps to illustrate relationships between concepts and clarify complex ideas
Demonstration videos that illustrate the thinking processes experts use to perform each task
Student engagement and support via a robust student forum or social media
Collaborative projects using online tools such as Google Docs
Live video conferencing with “special guests” such as experts in the field
Mobile device-friendly access to your online courses

Case study: aromatherapy certification

Download a comparative matrix of learning theories and suggested implementations for a standardized clinical aromatherapy curriculum.

download now

Designing solutions

Instructional design models provide essential structure, support, and guidance for designers in creating effective and efficient learning experiences, improving overall quality and outcomes in education and training.

ADDIE

ADDIE is a commonly used instructional design model. It provides a systematic, comprehensive, and flexible framework.

image: educationaltechnology.net

ADDIE is an acronym for the 5 stages of the model:

Analyze: identify learning needs, define learning goals, and assess the resources and constraints that might affect the design process.
Design: create a blueprint using measurable objectives for the learning experience, including its instructional strategies, structure, format, activities, and media elements.
Development: create instructional materials such as videos, graphics or diagrams, text, or assessments.
Implement: learning materials are delivered to the target audience using appropriate technologies, such as a learning management system or in-person presentation.
Evaluation: assess whether the learning materials and methods used are effective in meeting their objectives, and revise if needed.

TPACK

While not an instructional design model, TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) is a valuable framework because it helps educators integrate technology into their teaching practices.

Created by Punya Mishra and Matthew J. Koehler from Michigan State University in 2006, TPACK describes three areas of knowledge necessary for effectively using technology in education. These areas include Content Knowledge (CK), pedagogical knowledge (PK), and technical knowledge (TK). It emphasizes the interplay between these areas, enabling educators to evaluate new tools in the context of their existing knowledge and skills.