This blog was created to discuss the impact of technology and
multimedia on the online learning environment. In recent years the advancement
of technology and the use of multimedia allowed instructional designers to
develop more engaging learner content. Instructional designers are now able to
create rapid development projects and include elements into the course to make
the material easier to understand, and also allows learners to store
information into their long-term memory.
What
impact does technology and multimedia
have on online learning environments?
Technology and multimedia have many impacts on the learning
environment. Technology has provided instructors the ability to facilitate
lessons to learners with different geographic locations, either synchronously
or asynchronously. Technology allows for the learners to engage with the course
content, to assist with being able to understand
better or apply complex concepts. Facilitators can use technology to assess the learner’s progress and ability to
master the required objectives. Technology also allows for learners to perform
the practical application of concepts
during the lessons, so that they can get
experience while they are still learning.
Multimedia allows for the facilitator to explain complex concepts
using various techniques to either simplify the message or provide visual aids to make the information easily understandable.
Multimedia can be in the form of graphics, videos, audio, or simulations. With
multimedia, learners can interpret the
meaning of the text and still engage with
the course content.
What
are the most important considerations an online instructor should make before
implementing technology?
Before implementing any technology,
the instructor should first verify if the technology will be conducive to the
materials they will be sharing with the learner. When technology is used appropriately,
it can make presenting of information more effective. However, if the technology
is not used properly, or is used when it is not needed, it can become a
distraction, and harm the learner's ability to understand or retain knowledge.
Another consideration that an
instructor needs to consider before including technology in their lesson is the
learner’s accessibility to the technology, and experience level. If the learners
do not have any experience with the technology, or they are unable to access the
technology, this will impact the learner's ability to engage with it. If learner
experience is the only concern, the instructor may consider adding instructions
or a tutorial on how to use the technology. If the learners are not able to
access the technology, then the instructor will need to find an alternative
approach to using the technology.
What
implications do usability and accessibility of
technology tools have for online teaching?
“People with disabilities
constitute the nation’s largest minority group, and the only group any of us
can become a member of at any time” (Betts, Riccobono, & Welsh, 2013). It is extremely important
that facilitators and instructional designers understand Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act. This act was put into place to make electronic and information technology
accessible to people with disabilities. Being that there is a larger percentage
of citizens with some type of disability, instructional designers should ensure
that all online programs are meeting the accessibility standards.
These
standards include but is not limited to, ensuring closed caption texts are
included in all courses with audio, ensuring there is also a transcript
available for learners who use a screen reader and ensuring the colors being
used in courses can be easily viewable by learners with visual disabilities.
What technology tools are most appealing to you for
online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design?
The online tools that I find the
most appealing are web 2.0 based tools, such as blogs, social sites, and wikis.
I enjoy the use of blogs as it allows the learner to express their thoughts,
and obtain meaningful feedback from peers or the instructor. Also, blogs can be
made public so that the learner can reach a larger audience, and receive feedback
from individuals they would have never met.
I appreciate the use of wiki’s, as
they allow for collaboration among peers. Wiki’s are easy to maintain, and take
very little effort in creating. In addition to web 2.0 tools, I also enjoy
using eLearning software. These softwares allow instructors to provide lessons
in an asynchronous fashion, and even provides the ability to assess the learner’s
progress, and track trends.
What
are my thoughts on the significance of using
technology in an online learning experience?
I believe that the use of
technology in an online learning experience is extremely important. It provides
learners with the experience of how many larger corporations handle processes
and training.
Technology also provides a mean for learners to better engage
with the content. Engagement with the content promotes the learner’s motivation
to participate and complete course objectives. I also feel that technology makes
it easier for instructors to communicate complex information, and find
innovative ways to present materials to the learners.
