Worked Example Screencast

Below is my embedded "Worked Example Screencast" as well as a link to the screencast incase the embedded video does not display properly.

In my screencast I introduce Algebra I students to the concept of FOIL and how FOIL can be used to multiply binomials and special products.

http://mrsboylansclasses.com/Creativity/FOIL-RBoylan.wmv

Coherence Analysis

The Coherence Principle is a principle that is “commonly violated” – typically in an effort to make learning content more interesting (Clark & Mayer, 2011, p. 151) The Coherence Principle advises that additional information (in the form of audio, images, and text) should not be added to a multimedia presentation if the information does not support the learning objectives (Clark & Mayer, 2011). The Coherence Principle is closely tied to the other principles introduced in Clark and Mayer’s E-Learning and the Science of Instruction as well as fundamental theories on psychology and learning; and while I have seen the principle used inappropriately in computer-based trainings I feel that it is important to consider the learner and the learning objective when deciding on a course of action in its regard.   

The multimedia principles presented in our text are all closely tied to one another or rather they lend themselves nicely to one another. For instance, the Coherence Principle has a clear relationship with the Contiguity Principle in regard to the focus of the learner on the learning objectives. Whereas the Contiguity Principle states that we should keep our images and text near each other so as to focus the learner on the learning objectives the Coherence Principle suggests that nothing should be included in a learning presentation that detracts learners from the learning objectives or that causes the learner “to focus on inappropriate aspects of the material” (Clark & Mayer, 2011; Mayer, 1999, p. 620). Both principles seek to focus the learner on the learning objectives.

Not only is the Coherence Principle tied to other research-based multimedia principles but it is also tied to fundamental theories of psychology, namely the cognitive theory. For instance, the cognitive theory tells us that learners are always striving to piece together meaningful information presented into a cohesive whole – deleting information that does not fit or is extraneous. Similarly, the Coherence Principle seeks to focus the information presented on the learning objectives by not including unnecessary information so as to aid in the construction of understanding. Additionally, the Coherence Principle strives to minimize the overload of the learner’s audio and visual channels by minimizing the amount of unnecessary information presented. This aligns with the cognitive theory on multimedia learning which states learners process information through two channels: an auditory channel and a visual channel and that each channel has limited capacity. Therefore, instructional design should consider the information presented does not lead to information overload – particularly of information that does not support the learning objectives (Moreno & Mayer, 2000).

At the beginning of each school year I must complete a series of CBTs (computer-based trainings) to include: the Anti-Terrorism Level 1 training and the Information Assurance training. These two trainings are at opposite ends of the spectrum in regard to implementing the Coherence Principle in a manner meant to assist in the learning process rather than disrupt the learning process.

The Anti-Terrorism Level 1 training is a 100+ page training presentation that takes a long time to complete. The presentation is mainly comprised of images and text with very little narration included in the training. While the information is very important it struggles to keep the trainee’s attention. In an effort to make the training more interesting the Instructional Designers chose to split the training screen so that half of the screen is used to present the learning content whereas the other half provides historical accounts of terrorist activities. While the historical accounts of terrorist activities are interesting they are not relevant to the learning objectives. The over-arching learning objective of the training is to inform the learner of terrorist situations that exist and teach the trainee to be mindful of his or her surroundings so as not to become a victim of terrorism. The historical accounts would be useful to the learning objective if they were tied to the content however they are not presented in such a manner. Instead the historical account is just an image (typically of destruction) with a caption and date. These pictorials tend to pull the learner away from the content to focus on historical accounts that are not addressed in the training’s final assessment.

The Information Assurance training is also a long training. The training environment is meant to resemble an office building. In each area of the office building the trainee is presented content that supports the overall theme of the training which is to ensure the safety and security of information on a government network. Within each area the learner is subjected to scenario-based sessions. After the scenario the learner is presented with additional information about the scenario. This information could be viewed as ‘seductive’ information but as it is designed to reinforce the learning objective (more so in real-world situations versus the training environment) its inclusion does not take away from the content but rather reinforces it.

I definitely feel that the Coherence Principle is important in a given set of learning circumstances. For instance, if the learner is being presented information that is new or confusing the presentation should seek to clarify the content so as to make it easier to understand. On the other hand, if the learner has prior understanding of the topic covered I feel that extraneous information can support of scaffold learning. I think in regard to the Coherence Principle and the lengths to which you adhere to its incorporation in your instructional presentations are dependent on your learner and your learning objectives.

~Rachel Boylan

References

Clark, R. C. & Mayer, R. E. (2001). E-learning and the science of instruction (3rd ed.). San
          Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.

Mayer, R. E. (1999). Multimedia aids to problem-solving transfer. International Journal of
          Educational Research, 31(7), 611-623. (PDF file download).

Moreno, R., & Mayer, R. E. (2000). A learner-centered approach to multimedia explanations:
          Deriving instructional design principles from cognitive theory. Interactive Multimedia
          Electronic Journal of Computer-Enhanced Learning, 2(2), 2004-07. Retrieved April 8, 2013
          from http://imej.wfu.edu/articles/2000/2/05/index.asp

Exploring Okinawa with Rachel Boylan

Hi class,

After some consideration I decided to create a podcast series entitled "Exploring Okinawa." In it I hope to discuss local eateries, attractions, shopping, etc. to be found on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

In the first "Exploring Okinawa" episode I discuss a recent trip taken with my entire family to a local Japanese beef grill in the Yomitan district of the island.

In future episodes I would like to open and close the episode with some local Okinawan music played on the Sanshin, a three-string guitar, that is played predominately on the island; however, my friend who I was going to record while he played the sanshin was unavailable prior to this recording. Additionally, I think this podcast would be better if it was done with a second person. Perhaps future editions will include either my husband chatting with me or my colleague, another island expert, Dr. Amy Parlo.

One thing I learned in creating the podcast is that it is better, in my opinion, to keep the recording going - returning to the track to edit later. I found this better than recording bits of audio and then piecing the tracks together as you can clearly hear the transition between the tracks.

Please see my first podcast episode: Exploring Okinawa.

From this assignment it is easy to see how podcasts can be a beneficial instructional tool in the classroom. The podcasts could act as supplements to an in class discussion or they could be used as stand alone discussions that are incorporated with further learning activities. Clearly podcasts should be added to an instructors arsenal of multimedia tools.

~Rachel

Project 1: Multimedia Instruction

Below is a link to my Multimedia Instruction Presentation. In the presentation I attempt to address a Algebra I concept that was recently introduced in the online course that I teach. The concept is: testing coordinate pairs to verify if they are solutions for a given system of equations.

Project 1: Multimedia Instruction

The presentation seeks to employ the concepts presented in week for: the multimedia principle and the contiguity principle. For instance, I attempted to adhere to the multimedia principle in that the images displayed have associated / supportive text to clarify the image as well as the concepts addressed. In addition, the images used were purposely chosen so as to represent a theme - with the intention of providing additional clarity of the topics. For instance, the main image used throughout the presentation is a set of stairs that show an individual moving up one stair to the next as they complete the steps of the process. This image is meant to not only present the steps included in the process but also to reinforce the idea that the steps build upon each other and that students must move up the steps in order. The staircase image, while important, is too large to have on each slide as I work through the content; therefore, in keeping with the continguity principle I include a part of (a cut away of) the full image. For instance, when discussing the first step of the process I include the part of the full image that represents the first step in the staircase. I continue to do this throughout presentation as each step is addressed and then tackled.

On a side note...the images I used / created in the presentation are somewhat "adolescent" in nature and this was done on purpose as my students range from 7th to 12th grade.

~Rachel

Creating My Learning Log

AECT Standard 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies states that, "Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources."

The EDTECH Learning Log is an excellent example of a computer-based technology.

• The learning log was so simple to create; in fact with just a few keystrokes I was able to create a visually-appealing website / blogging site that can easily be used to deliver information.

I could easily create a blogging site for use as an informational distribution center for the classes I teach. For instance, I could create separate pages for each course and post relevant, timely information via blog posts. The blogging site could be used to share / link to subject resources, post reminders about upcoming due dates, provide guidance on assignments / activities, etc. Additionally, I could grant students reply rights - creating an informal class discussion forum.

In fact, a blogging site such as this is a great way for a teacher to create an online presense without needing a lot knowledge about HTML scripting and web servers.  


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