Impact of Technology and Multimedia

Impact of Technology and Multimedia

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.

Reference

Betts, K., Riccobono, M., & Welsh, B. (2013). Introduction to the special section on integrating accessibility into online learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17(3), 1-5.