Reflection on Learning Design and Technology in Education

 As we embark on the journey of creating engaging and impactful learning experiences, the exploration of key principles and tools in the realm of learning design has been a transformative process. In this comprehensive reflection, I will share insights and lessons learned from our study of Mayer's principles, Twine, Storyline 360, and the POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust) principles, and how they can be implemented to craft learning materials that truly resonate with learners. This journey in this course has been the most challenging yet rewarding course from which I have learned. The amount of information and manipulation of learning tools was beyond what I have ever expected. My discovery of being a novice learner in learning design has challenged me beyond imaginable. The knowledge gained is amicable. I applaud all who have immaculate knowledge in the realm of Learning Design and Technology.

Tim Slade (2020) shares that what we realize is that learning does not just happen because we send our learners to a workshop or create an eLearning course. Learning requires trial and error. It requires desire and motivation. It requires time and patience.

To put it simply, learning is an ecosystem of experiences.

At the heart of our learning design approach lies the groundbreaking work of Richard E. Mayer and his principles of multimedia learning. These principles provide a solid foundation for designing multimedia-based learning materials that cater to the cognitive processes of the human mind. Mayer developed a set of research-based principles that provide guidelines for designing effective digital learning materials.

The Multimedia Principle, for instance, emphasizes the power of combining words and visuals to enhance learning. By presenting information through both verbal and visual channels, we can tap into the learners' dual-coding system, leading to deeper understanding and better retention of the content. This principle encourages us to thoughtfully integrate text, images, and other multimedia elements to create a cohesive and engaging learning experience.

The Contiguity Principle, on the other hand, highlights the importance of spatial and temporal proximity between related words and visuals. By placing corresponding elements close together, either physically or temporally, we can minimize the cognitive load on learners and facilitate the formation of meaningful connections between the content.

Furthermore, the Modality Principle suggests that using spoken words instead of on-screen text can enhance learning, as it allows learners to devote their visual processing capacity to the accompanying visuals, rather than dividing their attention between text and images.

By aligning our learning design with Mayer's principles, we can create multimedia-rich resources that capitalize on the human cognitive system, leading to improved comprehension, retention, and knowledge transfer.

Alongside Mayer's principles, the art of wireframing has emerged as a crucial step in the learning design process. Wireframing allows us to plan, visualize, and refine the layout, structure, and flow of our learning materials before investing time and resources into the final product. It is a blueprint of what you are creating your learning design. The use of Twine allowed me to be able to apply applications to maneuver.

Through the wireframing process, we can experiment with distinctive design elements, assess the user experience, and make informed decisions about the placement of content, interactive features, and navigational elements. This iterative approach helps us create more intuitive and engaging learning experiences. When creating your learning design, the audience needs to be considered so that they may relate to the concepts and contents being taught.

By starting with wireframes, we can quickly iterate on our ideas, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments before delving into the development phase. This not only saves time and resources but also ensures that the final learning materials are aligned with the learners' needs and preferences.

Moreover, wireframing enables us to consider the overall information architecture and the flow of the learning experience. We can map out the logical progression of content, identify key touchpoints, and design seamless transitions between different sections or modules. This holistic view helps us create a cohesive and structured learning journey for the learners.

Once the foundation was created through Mayer's principles and wireframing, Storyline 360 emerges as a powerful authoring tool that allows us to bring our learning design ideas to life. Storyline 360 offers a comprehensive set of features and functionalities that empower us to create immersive and personalized learning experiences. With constant practice and use of application tools there seems to be an excruciating amount of content and tools to manipulate. The time needed to gain knowledge with this program requires time and practice. The time on this course was too short yet rewarding. The application of trying to create something for learners was challenging. It will need tons of practice and patience along with time.

By leveraging Storyline 360's interactive slides, animations, and branching scenarios, we can design learning materials that engage learners and cater to diverse learning styles. The ability to incorporate multimedia elements, such as videos, audio recordings, and interactive simulations, enables us to create learning experiences that are both visually appealing and intellectually stimulating. Creating the eLearning module was an experience for me.

For instance, we can apply the Multimedia Principle by strategically combining on-screen text, narration, and relevant visuals to reinforce key concepts. The Contiguity Principle can guide us in positioning related elements in proximity, minimizing the learners' cognitive load. Furthermore, the Modality Principle can inform our decision to use spoken words instead of on-screen text, allowing learners to focus their visual attention on the accompanying visuals.

The iterative nature of Storyline 360 also enables us to preview and evaluate our learning materials, ensuring that the final product aligns with our design goals and effectively addresses the learners' needs.

As we delve deeper into the world of learning design, the POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust) have emerged as a critical framework to ensure the accessibility and inclusivity of our learning materials.

The Perceivable principle encourages us to present information in ways that one may comprehend and be understood by learners with diverse sensory abilities. This may include providing alternative text for images, ensuring appropriate color contrasts, and offering captions or transcripts for audio and video content. We need to be sensitive to diverse learners.

The Operable principle focuses on ensuring that learners can navigate and interact with the learning materials seamlessly, regardless of their physical abilities. This can involve incorporating keyboard-friendly controls, clear and intuitive navigation, and alternative input methods.

The Understandable principle emphasizes the use of clear and concise language, logical organization, and consistent design elements to enhance the overall comprehension and usability of the learning materials. By adhering to this principle, we can create learning resources that are accessible to learners with varying cognitive abilities and language proficiencies.

Finally, the Robust principle addresses the need for learning materials to be compatible with a wide range of devices, software, and assistive technologies. This ensures that the learning experience remains consistent and accessible across different platforms and devices, catering to the diverse technological needs of the learners.

By integrating the POUR principles into our learning design process, we can create learning resources that are truly inclusive and accessible to all learners, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. This not only aligns with ethical and legal considerations but also enhances the overall learning experience, ensuring that every learner can engage, learn, and succeed.

The combination of Mayer's principles, wireframing, Storyline 360, and the POUR principles provides a comprehensive approach to designing effective and inclusive learning experiences. By embracing these concepts and tools, we can create learning resources that captivate, engage, and empower learners to achieve their full potential.

At the intersection of these principles and tools, we find a synergistic relationship that amplifies the impact of our learning design efforts. Mayer's principles guide us in leveraging the cognitive benefits of multimedia, while wireframing allows us to plan and refine the learning experience. Storyline 360 then serves as the canvas upon which we can bring these design principles to life, crafting interactive and engaging learning materials.

Importantly, the integration of the POUR principles ensures that our learning design efforts remain inclusive and accessible, catering to the diverse needs and abilities of the learners. By weaving accessibility considerations throughout the design process, we can create learning resources that are truly inclusive and empowering for all.

As we continue to refine and evolve our learning design practices, the constructive interaction between these principles and tools will only grow stronger. By embracing a comprehensive approach that considers cognitive science, user experience, technical capabilities, and accessibility, we can elevate the quality and impact of our learning materials, transforming the educational landscape and empowering learners to reach new heights of success.

Tim Slade (2020) shares the benefit of eLearning and how it can be created once and delivered multiple times, to multiple learners, in multiple locations.

Tim shared that traditional, instructor-led learning is still very popular and widely used, eLearning offers a lot of benefits that can’t be matched by other training modalities. Because of this, more and more organizations have been turning to eLearning in the hopes of taking advantage of the benefits.

I continue to be astonished with the amount of knowledge our professors have and continue to share with us. Knowledge is critical for us to apply information to what we as learners can implement in our profession. We create and utilize various learning tools to create lessons and technological applications. The knowledge gained benefits our future leaders.

In conclusion, the exploration of Mayer's principles, wireframing, Storyline 360, and the POUR principles has been a transformative journey, equipping us with a robust toolkit for designing learning experiences that are not only effective but also inclusive and accessible. By leveraging this comprehensive approach, we can create learning resources that captivate, engage, and inspire learners, paving the way for a future where education is truly accessible and empowering for all.

Resources:

Slade, T. (2020). The ELearning Designer's Handbook: A Practical Guide to the ELearning Development Process for New ELearning Designers (2nd ed.). Tim Slade.