Vol. 4 Issue 22 – Research Paper: ‘Instructor, instruction, and Instructional Design in e-Learning setting’ by Ammar Anas

This paper is submitted for publication by Ammar Anas, e-Learning Supervisor, & Lecturer in the Department of English, Al-Namas Community College and College of Arts and Sciences, King Khalid University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He can be contacted at ammardas@gmail.com.

Introduction

The success of technology enhanced learning depends on three elements which are

1) Execution of instructions

2) Role of an instructor

3) A proper instructional design

These three elements determine the quality delivery of the online courses. Though they are quite important in face to face learning but their changing nature and distinctive application is what makes it an interesting subject to be explored. Therefore, there is a need to refresh these concepts with reference to the virtual setting of teaching and learning.

It is a fact that conducting successful online course is not an easy task. It requires creative exploitation of psycho-educational scholarship along with powerful utilization of technological development in order to make learning process more useful and effective. It is only possible when there is found quality cohesion among different components of e-Learning and course content. Course content and activities should meet with the aims and objectives of the course and instructors and instructions are supposed to take a driving seat in materializing the content through effective instructional design and ensure the delivery to the level of learner satisfaction.

The role of these three concepts remains instrumental while we discuss the issues of technology enhanced learning. On the part of the delivery, they are to ensure the highest quality and result oriented design of the course.

Instructions in e-Learning are like signposts of the road aimed to control road traffic. They are simply a collection of directions to ‘make clear how to get started and where to find various course components. They provide a general course overview, present the schedule for activities, guide the new student to explore the course website and indicate what to do first.’ (Quality Matters Course Review Rubric: 2010)

You can utilize a variety of instructions. Some of them are here:

Course writer should use simple and small notes of instructions. They must have high frequency words at large scale.

Sometimes a course writer should use pictures, flashes, videos to convey instructions rather than giving instructions in written form.

He should use a variety of colors which makes content live and interesting for learners. It must follow closer reflection of local culture, religion and traditions

There should be variety in fonts, sizes and style making instructions diverse and interesting.

Lots of difficult instructions can be conveyed by using arrows and other symbols

It is better to use videos than description of dry text. Videos should be used to describe course syllabus, aims and objective of the course, content delivery, and some time to convey announcement also

In research it is found that powerful combination of picture, text, design and color makes course content more readable and interesting for students.

Instructor means the teaching authority which manages the course, uses online environment in delivering courses and maintains his presence throughout the course and thus leads students to accomplish aims and objective of the course. A good instructor does not only deal with available content but also looks for and develops new and supportive web content and technology in order to enhance learning process.

Some suggestions for instructor:

It is must for all instructors who are involved in e-Learning to be proficient in operating software, tools and technology used for the same.

They should be prepared with course content, knowledge of the participants, their ethnic and cultural backgrounds, formal education, entry level knowledge etc.

All instructors should acquire necessary knowledge and understanding about how the content being both taught and learned by using internet and other technological tools.

The instructors must know the content to be delivered through e-Learning. The course content should be accurate, feasible, and subject to given aims and objectives of the course.

Keep ready to meet all unpredictable situations while using technology for teaching-learning. Be coped with different plans and strategies.

They must be proficient in computer literacy, networking basics, knowledge of learning platform.

Instructional Design is the systematic process of translating general principles of learning and instruction into plans for instructional materials and learning.

{Sara McNeil, University of Houston, http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/InstructionalDesign.htm)

It integrates the relationship in context, content, learning and instruction. According to Dick and Carey, “Components such as the instructor, learners, materials, instructional activities, delivery system, and learning and performance environments interact with each other and work together to bring about the desired student learning outcomes.” (The Systematic Design of Instruction, by Walter Dick, Lou Carey, James O. Carey, 2007, Allyn & Bacon)

Instructional design intersects three disciplines e. g education, psychology and communication technology. It approaches to the technology enhanced learning through the process of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation.

Some suggestion for instructional designer:

An instructional designer should keep in touch with the latest technology and its uses for teaching and learning.

An instructional designer should be aware with all scholarly development in education and technology.

He should always analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate technology-based instruction that is effective.

He should develop computer-based instruction, multimedia, web-based instruction, video-based instruction, and even simulations and games for learning.

He should make learning for anyone, any time, on any topic, and in any format in different learning styles addressing personal learning styles of the learners.

We, the teaching – Learning community, should work to develop efficient research background addressing these issues with the consideration of the difference between onsite and online learning environment. It will certainly improve the present condition of e-Learning practices in our educational setting.