Instructional Design: Tools, Techniques, & Strategies

Instruction Section Pre-Conference

American Library Association Annual Meeting 2005

June 24, 2005

Evaluating Instructional Materials

IInstructional Materials and the Academic Librarian

Academic librarians may design instruction in one or more of the following formats:

  • Orientation tours
  • Course-integrated instruction
  • Library or information technology workshops
  • Faculty development workshops or brown-bags
  • Lifelong learning programs

Materials that might be developed to support such instruction include:

  • Database guides
  • Subject guides
  • Web pages
  • Tutorials

Question: in what other formats do you design instructional materials, i.e., materials that you prepare either to support your own teaching, the teaching of others (librarians or classroom faculty), or self-instruction?

IIMatching Medium with Instruction

Instruction may be delivered through multiple media. An early design decision will be the composition of you instructional materials. Among those you might choose from are:

  • Instructor
  • Overhead transparencies
  • Charts
  • Audio
  • Video
  • Printed text
  • Hands-on tutorial
  • Web page
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Each has strengths and weaknesses, and each can complement the other as long as the choices are in sync with learner characteristics, instructional objectives, and available resources.

IIIGeneral Suggestions for Developing/Evaluating Instructional Materials

A)Make it Concrete

  1. illustrate abstract concepts
  2. use active verbs
  3. include examples

B)Control the Step Size

  1. use consistent terminology throughout the material
  2. make explicit references to what has already been learned
  3. consider learner characteristics when planning for step size

C)Use Appropriate Pacing

  1. include an appropriate number of examples or exercises with each idea

D)Maintain Consistency

  1. terms (e.g., index vs. database, journal vs. magazine)
  2. spelling

E)Use Cues

  1. objectives
  2. overviews
  3. headings
  4. type face
  5. layout

Source: Morrison, Ross, & Kemp (2004)

IVCriteria for Evaluating Web-Based Instructional Materials

  • The instructional design is pedagogically effective, i.e. it teaches well according to the scope and stated learning objectives
  • The technology used to create the material enhances the learning experience
  • This material provides instruction using technology in an innovative manner
  • The content and language of the material are clear and effective
  • All information included within the material is accurate
  • Organization of the material is clear and easy to use
  • This material demonstrates unique or creative use of graphics, examples, interactive elements such as programmed feedback and flexible learning paths
  • This material is relevant to those outside of the developer’s institution because it presents a model for other developers

Source: PRIMO: Peer-Reviewed Instructional Materials Online Selection Criteria (2005)