Session on features of instructionally sound computer-based training interfaces presented at the 1st Southeastern Intstructional Design and Technology Conference

1. Designing an Instructionally-
Sound Computer-Based
Instruction Interface:
Principles and Practice
Alexandra Steiner

2. Objectives
Define Computer- Describe best practices
Based Instruction and considerations
when incorporating
(CBI)
learner control into a
Identify different CBI program
types of CBI formats Describe best practices
Relate relevant and considerations
when incorporating
instructional theory
navigation schemes
to CBI interface within a CBI program
design

3. Computer-Based
Instruction Defined
Instructional content delivered on
computer
CD-Rom
Internet
Intranet
Various delivery formats
Implies merging of education and
technology

4. What do We Mean by
CBI Interface?
A point of interaction between a
computer-based lesson and the learner
Involves more considerations than
traditional classroom-based or paper-
based lessons

5. Theoretical Basis
Information Processing Theory
Cognitive Load Theory
John Keller’s ARCS Model for
Designing Motivating Instruction

6. Interface Considerations
for CBI
Learner control
Navigation schemes
Instructional agents

7. Learner Control
How much control should a learner
have when undertaking a lesson?

8. Components of Learner
Control
Content sequencing
Pacing
Access to learning support
Interactive instructional methods

9. Learner versus
Program/Other Control
Program/Other Learner Control
Control Students can visit
Students lock- topics in any order
stepped through they wish
lessons Bypassing certain
No sections or lesson elements or
elements may be topics is allowed
bypassed Student controls
Session may be pace of lesson
timed

10. Research Regarding
Learner Control
Mixed results
Students that tend to flounder with
learner control are those with
low levels of prior knowledge
poor metacognitive skills
Still student preference is for learner
control at some level
Mostly due to internet experience

11. When Should I Use
Learner Control?
When your students have high
metacognitive skills or are self-directed
learners
When the content is informational
When topics are not interdependent

12. Learner Control Design
Guidelines
Make important instructional events the default
navigation option
Create a tailoring effect based on the performance
exhibited by the learner
Provide guided tours and mouseovers to avoid
making learners leave a page
Allow students to select preferred content
presentation method

13. Navigation within CBI
How can I help learners “get through”
the instruction without any problems?

14. Navigation Schemes
How learners will progress and move through
a lesson
Includes the following
Entering the lesson
Progressing through content
Obtaining help or guidance
Completing the lesson
Exiting the program
Supports learner’s orientation within lesson

15. Research Regarding
Navigation Schemes
Overwhelmingly in support of strong
navigation systems that allow learners
to focus on content and not progression
Students need time to get oriented to
computer interfaces

16. Navigation Items to Consider
When Designing your Interface
Video or other method Safeguards against
of original orientation unintended actions
Instructional maps for Number of windows
positioning open at one time
Forward and back Search engine
buttons capability
Intuitive icons Glossary or help button
Pull down menus Ways to exit or return to
Links in standard colors lesson

17. Responsive Interfaces
Provide learner with diverse
opportunities to enhance learning
What it looks like
Feedback regarding performance
Adaptive practice and testing experiences
Instructional agents

18. Instructional Agents
What are they?
Onscreen characters
Real person
Caricature
MS agent
Can be interactive or static
Guide learning process

19. Are Agents Helpful?
According to research, yes!
Looks don’t matter, but sound does
Conversational better than formal
Human voice better than machine-simulated
Speech better than text
Same with narration and text explanations of
graphics
Use to educate not entertain!!!!!

20. Interface Considerations
for CBI
Learner control
Navigation schemes
Layout of material
Placement of graphics and text
Use of multimedia elements
Instructional agents

21. Summary
In planning a CBI Learner control gives
interface, one must learners ability to
consider skip certain elements
amount or presence of visit elements in varying
learner control orders
set the pace of lesson
how the learner will
themselves
progress through lesson
how interactive or Navigation schemes
responsive will the help learners orient
interface be? themselves within a
lesson

22. Questions?