12g – Virtual Campus

Here we intend to guide you through the total process of design, development and delivery of the learning experiences. You will be guided through the various elements of a module that is developed on an e-learning platform. We will use examples from modules developed on CANVAS and throughout, you will be prompted to develop your own online module as we go through the process. You will also be introduced to a suitable online module quality assessment rubric

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN CRITERIA THREE
- We have so far covered the Instructional Design Criteria 3.2. Let us now look at Criteria 3.3 3.2
CRITERIA 3.3 Designing Topics Using the Most Appropriate Tools and Media

The presence and the quality in which you have developed the following elements will determine effectiveness of your Multimedia in the LMS. We will now look at the various elements that will contribute to the effectiveness of your grouping of instructional material. Tools such as news items, discussions, assessments, checklists, rubrics, intelligent agents, etc. shall be used appropriately to support the topic objectives. Software and audio/visual hardware requirements must be up-to-date and do not extend beyond basic sound cards, speakers, and video players unless needed to meet topic goals and objectives. Audio and video materials must be hosted and streamed outside of the Learning Management System, using hosting services such as YouTube. Multimedia materials should be of high quality without audio or video disturbances. Multimedia file length should be adequate to meet topic goals without being too large to restrict users’ ability to download the file on computers with lower bandwidth
Elements That Affect Content and Subject Expertise

We will now look at the various elements that will contribute to the effectiveness of your use of tolls and media.

Topic Conclusion

Topic conclusion includes a summary of the topic and works to explain to students how the topic’s content contributes to the large class conversation. Pulling out key conversations, questions, or other dynamic student-driven content to highlight can enhance your topic conclusion

An Example of a Topic Conclusion

Content Item Descriptions

Use the description field to embed the assignment guidelines and submission instructions. This way, the instructions appear wherever the assignment is embedded and will eliminate the need for duplication. All description fields, especially for assignments and activities, should be formatted consistently and utilize LMS smart-links to associate appropriate resources.

An Example of Content Item Description

Feedback Statements

The topic should include detailed and transparent descriptions of what type of feedback students can expect for each activity or assignment. The descriptions include when the student can expect feedback to be available, how the feedback will be presented and how the student can access it. For more complex feedback methods (Word track changes, Turnitin Grademark, etc.) a video guide is helpful

An Example of Feedback Statements

Gradebook

The gradebook should consistently match the naming conventions and point structure listed in the syllabus. Bonus items and other information should be limited and transparent. All graded activities should be correctly linked to the grade items. Developing a feature that provides students instant information on how they are doing in the topic with a released and up-to-date final calculated grade item is also recommended

An Example of Gradebook

Hardware and Software Requirements

Software and audio/video hardware requirements are up-to-date and do not extend beyond basic sound cards, speakers, and video players unless needed to meet topic goals and objectives. Any special requirements should be communicated to the student in advance. Beyond listing hardware and software requirements, each requirement is explained in detail with non-technical terms. Resources, guides, and support options are easily accessible. Resources, and guides for each hardware and software requirement are explicitly demonstrated. In particular, any requirements beyond typical supported technology include high-quality, instructor-created video guides going over access, installation, and common trouble-shooting options.

An Example of Hardware and Software Requirements

Intelligent Agents and Release Conditions

Intelligent agents can be easily utilized to automate certain messages to students, helping them stay on track. A good first intelligent agent notifies students who have not logged into a topic in a certain number of days. More advanced intelligent agents and release conditions can help students stay on track by automating the opening and closing of information. For example, topic 2 may not open until a student has mastered topic 1. These agents can give the students a more adaptive learning experience.

An Example of Intelligent Agents and Release Conditions

Interactive Activities (Discussions, Chats, Synchronous)

Discussion boards exist and provide some opportunities for student-to-student communication. Discussion board prompts are consistent and designed to foster interaction and engagement. The discussion boards are lively and have good activity. The instructor communicates through feedback and the discussion board. Video or audio modalities in the discussion forum are encouraged through Video Note, Panopto, or other media means.

An Example of Interactive Activities (Discussions, Chats, Synchronous)

Interactive Media

Use interactive questions or elements on videos to engage students, test knowledge, and track participation. Interactive elements can often be placed on instructor-created videos and third-party media. Adding comprehensive feedback to questions to allow for more immediate feedback as students test their knowledge is also recommended.

An Example of Interactive Media

Media Hosting

Audio and video materials are hosted and streamed outside of the Learning Management System, using appropriate hosting services such as Panopto, YouTube, or other MIC Virtual Campus approved services. Materials are fully accessible and transcripts are provided. It is also recommended that audio material is closed captioned and media uses a consistent embed method, format, and well-designed thumbnails, persistent student experience. Usage analytics can be collected to identify participating students if needed.

An Example of Media Hosting

Media Length

Multimedia materials are of appropriate length to fit the requirement of the content in terms of depth and credits allowed. 5 to 15 minutes of length is recommended

An Example of Media Length

Media Recording Quality

All multimedia materials are recorded at the highest audible and visual quality. Media uses good production values and consistent themes including titles, thumbnails, lower-thirds, etc.

An Example of Media Recording Quality

News Tool

The news tool should announce changes, upcoming topics, or due dates and highlight other key information that can also be found in the content area. New information should not reside in the News tool alone as students can easily hide it from their feed. Bit is also recommended, that news announcements should be consistent and eye-catching, utilizing multimedia such as video, graphics, and LMS intelligent links allowing students to jump to associated content items, assignments, etc.

An Example of News Tool

Rubrics

A rubric or assignment grading criteria should be identified for each assignment and easily linked or associated with the activity. Rubrics should be constructed using the integrated and interactive LMS rubric tool. All rubrics’ point values should be aligned throughout the topic, including the syllabus, learning activity, rubric, and grade book.

An Example of Rubrics

A Final Word.

You may not be able to have all elements of MEDIA AND TOOLS, equally well developed. However, you must put your best effort to get maximum possible done. This completes the Criteria 3. We will now address CRITERIA 4.1, THE USE OF ASSESSMENTS
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