Module 4 Reflection

Introduction

In Module 4 of EDCI 337, titled “Principles of Learning Design and Active Learning”, we discussed the idea of creating learning material that is engaging and memorable by using various principles that allow students to see their progress for themselves.

Topics

We discussed the principles of learning design, mainly the ones presented by M. David Merrill. Merrill discussed how many learning materials nowadays are what he referred to as shovel ware, meaning that they just shovel course material online without proper structure, deterring students from learning.

Merrill then suggested ways to make learning material more engaging for students. He titled his principles the Principles of Instruction, where he stated that students learn better if:

• Learners are engaged in solving real-world problems
• Relevant previous experience is activated
• The instruction demonstrates what is to be learned
• Learners are required to use their new knowledge or skills to solve problems
• Learners are encouraged to integrate the new knowledge or skill into their everyday life

If all these principles are applied to the learning material being created, it produces content that is more easily digestible and lingers more with students than regular learning material.

We also discussed ways to create your learning material, such as the Scaffolding technique and the Active Learning method. The Scaffolding technique relies on building a solid base of knowledge for students that is then added onto as their knowledge of the material expands and as the instructor provides less and less assistance so that the students can begin exploring on their own. Active Learning is part of the Scaffolding technique in that it focuses on allowing students to engage with the material themselves through performing tasks and procedures that relate to their learning, or by discussing what they just saw/performed in pairs or groups. We also discussed Backward Design where, instead of starting out by creating activities for teaching, you start by identifying your goals and learning outcomes, then how you will assess these outcomes, then plan your teaching activities while keeping all the things you’ve created in mind.

Discussion

I found the principles discussed by Merrill to be really interesting. A lot of times we take creating teaching materials for granted, but it is because we do that that a lot of learning material found online is ineffective or forgettable. I particularly enjoyed mixing video games with the learning material as video games are a passion of mine. I have experienced similar video-game-like methods of teaching when I was in highschool, like teachers using Kahoot! I found that if they followed Mayer’s Coherence principle, sticking to content that pertained to the learning material, and Merrill’s principles of activating relevant experience or allowing learners to use their acquired knowledge in new situations, they were highly enjoyable and effective.

I also found the techniques utilized to create new learning material very engaging, especially the Scaffolding technique, since it allows for a natural progression of knowledge for students, presenting them with more complex problems as they build their scaffolding of knowledge. I have personally experienced the Scaffolding technique with my grade 12 economics teacher. He began by teaching us basic principles of economics such as key words and concepts. Then, he introduced slightly more difficult concepts and assisted us in making links between them and what we had already learned. Then he introduced more difficult problems and began to slowly step back, allowing us to work in pairs or groups to discuss and analyze how these new problems can be solved using the knowledge we already possess. I found this to be highly effective and feel as though I had learned a lot from his class.

Lesson Planning Template

Backwards design sounds so reasonable and logical to me now, but before I was introduced to it, I don’t think I would have utilized something like that. You would think that, as an instructor, you already know the learning outcomes and don’t need to restate them or plan out what your students are going to learn because you already know, but this is highly ineffective. I’m glad I got to use this template, even if it was for a simple lesson like the one I chose, because it allowed me to further understand just how important Backwards design really is.

H5P Interactive Video

For the longest time, I had wondered how instructors were able to create interactive videos and embed them so seamlessly into their websites or course packages. Now, I am able to create my own! It feels incredibly rewarding to be able to use this platform and create more engaging material, especially when creating said material was so easy! I decided to expand upon the video I had created back in Module 1 so whoever watches it can engage with it in a more active manner.

Conclusion

This module has been eye-opening to say the least. Many of the concepts, principles, and methodologies introduced in this module seem intrinsic or simple, but the fact that a lot of them are still not applied in many schools and universities today is baffling. I am glad I got to learn about these things, and I will definitely be applying them in my future work. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post. Have a wonderful morning, afternoon, evening, or night, and I will see you in the next one!