Instructional Design: Steps 4 & 5 - Teaching / Learning Activities & Integration

Step 4 in Instructional Design involves identifying teaching / learning activities, while Step 5 involves integrating Steps 1-4, making sure that the components are aligned (Fink).

1.        Situational Factors

Because this workshop is designed to learn new skills and a specific computer software application, the availability of appropriately configured computer equipment is essential for full success.  If participants must supply their own computer equipment to use for practice during the workshop, including the purchase and installation of EndNote Desktop ahead of time, there could be instances of participants coming unprepared, i.e., lacking the necessary equipment and software.  This could lead to lower success than desired in relation to assessment of task completion.  Participants may arrive with a variety of devices and software versions.  I am most familiar with Microsoft software products installed on PCs; therefore, I may not be able to answer questions related to using a Mac or to older versions of EndNote software.  Another factor is the amount of time needed to learn each task.  Offering a longer session might lead to attention fatigue.  However, offering several shorter workshop sessions over a period of weeks perhaps, might lead to participant dropout, or conversely, someone attending a more advanced session without having attended an earlier session.  Further consideration of the logistics (e.g., classroom equipment, participant equipment, content coverage and sequencing) of offering an EndNote Desktop workshop appears to be very important to its ultimate success.

2.       Learning Goals and Feedback and Assessment (or Ways of Assessing This Kind of Learning)

Learning goals were stated under Step 3, number 2 (Criteria & Standards) in the previous blog post in order to assure their alignment with assessment.  I believe the assessment procedures described above cover the full range of learning goals as well as opportunity for self-assessment.  Because the type of learning objective is to apply knowledge, appropriate assessment activities involve computer lab exercises in using “procedures to solve or complete familiar or unfamiliar tasks” (Carnegie Mellon University).  The assessments associated with computer practice are primarily formative in that they are meant primarily to help the student learn.  However, the degrees to which multiple tasks are completed during the workshop have a summative element, which can help identify how well the workshop was conducted.

3.        Learning Goals and Teaching / Learning Activities (or Actual Teaching-Learning Activities)

Each learning goal and sub-goal will be supported by a demonstration of features and functions of EndNote Desktop, delivered using a computer attached to a projector.  Workshop participants will be able to follow along (assuming they have access to suitable computer equipment with the correct software installed).  After each demonstration, participants will be given some time to attempt tasks on their own, with assistance available from the instructor (me).  Ideally, there would be additional practice time available at the end of the instruction portion of the workshop for attendees to continue working if they need or want more time while an instructor is still available to answer questions.  Students will be made aware of additional resources for continued learning.  The workshop will not cover aspects of searching library databases or formatting citations styles, for which participants should already have at least a basic level of understanding.  However, if questions arise, individuals can be referred to appropriate resources outside of the EndNote Desktop workshop.

4.       Helpful Resources

EndNote Desktop provides instructional material in the form of simple tutorials, Help documentation, and community forums for user questions and answers.  Additional video tutorials can be found on YouTube.  A LibGuide could be developed (by the workshop instructor, i.e., me) prior to delivery of this workshop that would cover basic resources for help using EndNote Desktop.  An existing LibGuide (available on the university library website) points to resources for information about the most commonly used citation styles.  The library website also provides information about how to contact librarians for further individual assistance.