Week 6 Discussion Summary: "Significant Ideas"

This week, our discussion groups were smaller in view of “The Final Post” strategy. After going through chapters on Design Decisions, Absorb, and Do Activities, each of the five (5) cohort members identified an “aha” idea that the rest of the cohort would react to. A final post will be written by the idea generator to summarize the intervening comments.

The strategy involved more intimate dialogue due to fewer members, making it easier to reply and encapsulate the ideas in the final post. A major challenge was adhering to the number of words; it seemed inadequate to articulate the ideas that I wanted to put forth.

The ideas in our cohort revolved around:

Storytelling
Storytelling is a universal teaching strategy that could be used as an absorb, do, or connect activity. Aside from this flexibility as a teaching tool, it also bridges cultures. While it is an effective method that captures attention in other countries, in the Southeast Asian culture, storytelling is prized for its ability to deliver messages otherwise thought to be “confrontational.” In a space where saving face is vital, stories thrive where no direct messages dare to tread.

Podcasting
Podcasting is said to be the re-packaged, technology-infused version of lectures. An “absorb” type of modality, it enables users to learn anytime, anywhere, limited only by telecommunications network. This method also appeals to learners from the younger generation whose activities revolve around similar technologies.

In contrast to the methodologies above, the last two ideas delve on design:

Strategic Design Decisions
When resources are limited, learners’ needs vary and environmental factors influence the outcomes, instructional designers must continually assess trade-offs between what is desired versus what is practical. Horton wrote that it is better to make these decisions in the beginning (no matter how painful for the designer), to improve chances that the learning experience will be effective later on.

The End in Mind
In order to design effective instruction, we should start with the result we want to achieve and work backwards. Like an architect, constructing a house without a blueprint depicting the desired outcome result in costly mistakes or below standard conditions. The design should break down the sequence that will lead to the desired outcome.


I thought my best contribution was:
“eLearning design is only as good as what we make it. While it affords us possibilities through its tools and attributes, the decisions we make regarding how to meet a wide array of needs will determine the real value of eLearning.”

It summarizes the opportunities and limitations that eLearning and its technology brings, which gives more importance to the human component that decides on its optimal use.

My favorite quote resonates with decisions instructional designers make:
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” --Willa A. Foster