Unit 1: Learning Theories and Instructional Design Models

Overview

In order to create instructional design solutions, it is important to have knowledge of learning theories that examine how students learn. Considering how quickly our knowledge of the way students think and learn has evolved, you will be reviewing learning theories that specifically research the impact of different types of technology on student learning and achievement. While it is useful to have a working knowledge of early learning theories, especially to compare and contrast them with newer research on the use of technology for learning and teaching, the focus of this activity will be on practical implementations of newer research on ways students learn.

Performance outcomes

• Candidates will compare and contrast different learning theories with examples of their implementation in educational technology.

What will you do?

1. Review summaries of the following media and technology based learning theories from the Activity Resources for a cohort discussion in the Virtual Classroom:

   • Educational Robotics and Constructionism

   • E-learning Theory

   • Online Collaborative Learning Theory

   • Online Disinhibition Effect

2. Create a cohort website or wiki page for each theory with at least two examples explaining how it can be applied or implemented in a classroom. Include the following information for each example:

   • Grade band (e.g. pre-school, elementary, secondary)

   • Subject area

   • Purpose, description and scope of use

   • Activities, tools, and resources to support the implementation

3. Include an Acknowledgements and Citations section on the website or wiki page that lists the contributions of each cohort member as well as cites sources and references of resources used on the wiki page.

Report Requirements:

• Cohort Website or Wiki page on 4 media and technology based learning theories

Notes

If you wish to include a different learning theory than the ones provided in this activity, feel free to do so after discussing it with your instructor. If you aren’t fully aware of older learning theories based on behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, motivation and humanist theories, child development theories and identity theories, take the time to review the thinking behind these theories and analyze how they apply or don’t apply to creating technology based student learning experiences today.

Overview

Now that you have reviewed some learning theories, it is time to apply a working instructional design model to a learning environment. In this activity, you will look at a few instructional design models and choose one to design an instructional coaching workshop at a school.

Performance outcomes

• Candidates will apply an instructional design model to design an instructional coaching workshop at a school.

What will you do?

1. Review the various instructional design models in the Activity Resources used to design and implement instructional design solutions.  

   1. Analyze the results of the survey you conducted at your school at the end of the previous module to determine the educational technology needs of teachers and administrators and shortlist 1 or 2 areas that can be implemented immediately at your school. 

2. Create a planning template using the most appropriate instructional design model to plan for an instructional coaching workshop at your school. 

3. Fill out the template to meet the instructional coaching needs in one of the shortlisted areas from your survey analysis. 

4. Add a narrative summary explaining why you picked the specific ID model and how you used that model to plan for the instructional coaching workshop at your school. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the model in terms of helping you plan effectively. Also, add a note on comparison with any other model(s) you reviewed before selecting the given instructional design model.

5. Review at least one other cohort member’s submission that used an ID model different than your own and give ideas for improvement.

Report Requirements:

• Planning Template for Implementing an Instructional Coaching Workshop

• Narrative summary explaining choice of ID model used

• Peer review of one cohort member who used a different ID model