content organization in online learning environments
DESCRIPTION
A lecture giving practical tips for increasing student learning in online learning environments. Delivered as part of the University of Nevada Reno online course conversion bootcamp, June 2014.TRANSCRIPT
CONTENT ORGANIZATIONIN ONLINE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
KATHERINE HEPWORTH, PHD
IN THIS SESSION
• Online course communication
• Content organization
• Performance load
• Student performance load
ANATOMY OF ONLINE COURSE COMMUNICATION
Content
Content organization
ANATOMY OF ONLINE COURSE COMMUNICATION
Aesthetics
ANATOMY OF ONLINE COURSE COMMUNICATION
Interaction
ANATOMY OF ONLINE COURSE COMMUNICATION
Audience
ANATOMY OF ONLINE COURSE COMMUNICATION
CONTENT ORGANIZATION=STRUCTURE
CONTENT ORGANIZATION
CONTENT HIERARCHY
• TEXTUAL
• VISUAL
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
FRONT END
BACK END
STARTING POINT: NO/POOR CONTENT ORGANIZATION
STARTING POINT: NO/POOR CONTENT ORGANIZATION
FIRST: INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
FIRST: INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
FIRST: INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
FIRST: INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
SECOND:VISUAL HIERARCHY
SECOND:VISUAL HIERARCHY
SECOND:VISUAL HIERARCHY
THIRD:TEXTUAL HIERARCHY
THIRD:TEXTUAL HIERARCHY
ALL THREE STAGESIN DRAFT FORM
WHY?
It helps students learn.
HOW?
By managing students' performance load.
WHAT IS PERFORMANCE LOAD?
PERFORMANCE LOAD
• The greater the effort to accomplish a task, the less likely the task will be accomplished successfully.
• Two parts…
PERFORMANCE LOAD
A student >>
Kinesthetic load(clicks)
Cognitive load(processing)
ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT
• The range of potential learning.
EFFORT-OMETER
EFFORT-OMETER
EFFORT-OMETER
EFFORT-OMETER
EFFORT-OMETER
EFFORT-OMETER
PERFORMANCE OVERLOAD!
CONDITIONS INCREASINGPERFORMANCE LOAD
ANATOMICAL STRESSORS:TEENAGE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
• Circadian shift
• Synaptic pruning
• Developing prefrontal cortex
CONDITIONS INCREASINGPERFORMANCE LOAD
ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS:STUDENT LIVING
• Interaction with peers
• Overexertion & overwork
• Hangovers
• Lack of sleep
CONDITIONS INCREASINGPERFORMANCE LOAD
SUMMARY:Given optimal conditions, students can barely focus on course content.
TAKE A BREAK!(FIVE MINUTES)
CONTENT ORGANIZATION PART 2MANAGING STUDENT PERFORMANCE LOAD IN YOUR WEBCAMPUS COURSE
1 USE LESS TEXT
1 USE LESS TEXT
COGNITION PRINCIPLESIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
The ratio of relevant to irrelevant information in any communication.
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
1 USE LESS TEXT
1 USE LESS TEXT
WEBCAMPUS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Summarize:
Review all course material.
Then halve it.
2 ORDER TEXT
2 ORDER TEXT
COGNITION PRINCIPLEAESTHETIC USABILITY EFFECT
Attractively presented information is easier to remember.
AESTHETIC USABILITY EFFECT
2 ORDER TEXT
WEBCAMPUS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Use lists, tables, and subheadings constantly.
2 ORDER TEXT
3 USE INFOGRAPHICS
COGNITION PRINCIPLEPICTURE SUPERIORITY EFFECT
Pictures are remembered better than words.
3 USE INFOGRAPHICS
PICTURE SUPERIORITY EFFECT
3 USE INFOGRAPHICS
3 USE INFOGRAPHICS
WEBCAMPUS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Illustrate points often
4 REVEAL OFTEN
4 REVEAL OFTEN
COGNITION PRINCIPLEPROGRESSIVE DISCLOSURE
Only provide information necessary to complete the current task.
PROGRESSIVE DISCLOSURE
4 REVEAL OFTEN
WEBCAMPUS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Staggered release
4 REVEAL OFTEN
STAGGERED RELEASE
4 REVEAL OFTEN
5 DRUM HOME DATES
5 DRUM HOME DATES
COGNITION PRINCIPLELOGICAL REDUNDANCY
The use of more elements than necessary to improve communication effectiveness.
LOGICAL REDUNDANCY
5 DRUM HOME DATES
WEBCAMPUS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Repeat due dates and other crucial information often.
5 DRUM HOME DATES
6 OPEN & CLOSE BIG
6 OPEN & CLOSE BIG
COGNITION PRINCIPLESERIAL POSITION EFFECTS
Items presented at the beginning and end of a list are more likely to be recalled.
SERIAL POSITION EFFECTS
6 OPEN & CLOSE BIG
WEBCAMPUS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Make beginnings and endings count
in courses, lessons, and lectures.
They will be remembered best.
6 OPEN & CLOSE BIG
LASTLY, REMEMBER:
Bad content organization hinders your students'
learning.
Good content organization contributes to your
students' success.
THANK YOU
Any questions?