Technology for Teaching: Instructional Media & Online Resources
Instructional media and online resources are essential technological tools that facilitate effective teaching and learning (T&L). They encompass physical tools, digital objects, and internet-based platforms like MOOCs and OER, designed to convey educational messages, stimulate student engagement, and overcome limitations of traditional classroom settings, ultimately enhancing pedagogical outcomes.
Key Takeaways
Instructional media includes both physical tools and digital resources for communication.
Media classification ranges from abstract symbolic representations to concrete real-life experiences.
Digital learning objects offer reusability and multimedia-based reference materials.
Online resources like MOOCs and OER provide flexible, open-access academic content.
What is the core concept and role of instructional media in education?
Media refers to physical tools and methods used to deliver educational messages, stimulating student attention and facilitating T&L. It acts as a physical channel to convey content, whether audio-visual or print. The core role is to engage students' senses and enhance understanding by stimulating their thoughts and feelings, ensuring effective message delivery. Definitions highlight media as a means to help the communication process and channel educational content.
- Media includes physical tools such as print, film, tape, and slides (Percival & Elington, 1984).
- It serves as a channel for mass communication, including newspapers and television.
- Media components include the message (content), the message form (e.g., visual), and the message channel (physical equipment, e.g., Internet) (Torkelson, 1972).
- Media must stimulate students' thoughts, feelings, and attention while conveying the teaching message.
How are instructional media classified based on experience and format?
Media is classified based on abstraction level or experience type. The Hoban and Zissman model ranges from abstract elements (words, diagrams) to concrete experiences (demonstrations, real situations). Dale's Cone categorizes learning into enactive (active), iconic (representational), and symbolic (abstract), providing a framework for selecting appropriate instructional tools. This classification helps educators match media complexity to learning objectives.
- Abstract to Concrete Continuum: Ranges from abstract (words, diagrams) to concrete (demonstrations, real situations).
- Dale's Cone of Experience: Includes Enactive (most active), Iconic (representation), and Symbolic (most abstract).
- Classification by Type: Covers Print Media, Projected Media (still or moving), and Non-Projected Media (e.g., graphics, 3D models, audio).
What are the different types of instructional media used in modern education?
Instructional media is divided into traditional resources (e.g., books, charts) and digital learning objects. Digital objects are reusable, multimedia-based materials accessible via technology, offering flexible reference options. This shift allows for dynamic content delivery, contrasting with the static nature of traditional physical resources, thereby supporting modern pedagogical needs effectively. Digital objects include e-books, MOOCs, and educational videos.
- Traditional Instructional Media: Includes books, charts, pictures, 3D models, and real objects.
- Characteristics of Digital Learning Objects: Must be a digital/non-digital entity, possess reusability, and serve as multimedia-based reference material.
- Examples of Digital Learning Objects: E-books, YouTube, Google Classroom, MOOCs, videos, and podcasts.
Which key online resources support teaching and learning activities?
Online resources provide accessible academic content supporting self-directed learning. Key types include e-journals (electronic scholarly articles), MOOCs (open-access, outcome-based courses), and OER (free academic materials). These resources facilitate the retention, reuse, and redistribution of educational content, making knowledge widely available and promoting global learning flexibility. They are crucial for professional development and online instruction.
- E-journals: Electronic publication of scholarly articles accessed via internet portals.
- MOOCs: Online courses with unlimited participation, emphasizing self-paced and flexible learning.
- OER (Open Educational Resources): Free academic materials allowing for retention, reuse, and revision.
- Other sources include complete free online course materials (e.g., MIT OCW) and collaborative encyclopedias (e.g., Wikipedia).
What are the primary functions of instructional media in the teaching and learning process?
Media serves multiple functions in T&L, supporting instruction alongside the teacher or enabling independent learning. It is vital for specialized contexts like distance education, thematic teaching, and providing tailored education for students with special needs. This flexibility ensures accessibility and caters to diverse learning environments and student requirements effectively, moving beyond conventional classroom delivery methods.
- Supporting instruction delivered collaboratively with the instructor.
- Enabling instruction independent of the instructor.
- Facilitating media-based portfolios.
- Supporting thematic teaching.
- Essential for distance education programs.
- Providing specialized education for students with special needs.
What are the main advantages of utilizing instructional media in education?
Utilizing media enhances message clarity and overcomes physical limitations like space and time. It helps clarify complex information, making content accessible. Media also ensures varied usage and provides a consistent, shared experience and perception among all learners, standardizing educational input and maximizing student engagement regardless of learning style. This consistency is vital for large groups or distance learners.
- Clarifying the delivery of the educational message.
- Overcoming limitations of space, time, and the senses.
- Allowing for varied and flexible usage.
- Providing a consistent experience and shared perception among students.
How should instructional media be integrated effectively into the curriculum?
Effective media integration involves strategic techniques to maximize utility. These include 'Reuse' (using existing materials as is), 'Repurpose' (modifying function for new goals), and 'Reproduce or Create' (developing new materials when needed). This systematic approach ensures media resources are efficiently managed and precisely aligned with specific learning objectives and curriculum requirements, optimizing resource investment and pedagogical impact.
- Reuse: Utilizing existing media resources without modification.
- Repurpose: Modifying the function of existing media to fit new teaching needs.
- Reproduce or Create: Developing new media when existing resources are inadequate.
What criteria should be used to evaluate the quality of instructional media?
Media evaluation, per McAlpine & Weston (1994), requires assessing suitability for curriculum, information accuracy, and language clarity. Effective media must boost motivation, encourage participation, demonstrate good technical quality, and provide evidence of effectiveness (e.g., test results), while remaining free from bias or inappropriate advertising. User guides should also be included to ensure proper implementation.
- Suitability and alignment with curriculum content.
- Accuracy and novelty (currency) of the information.
- Clarity and conciseness of the language used.
- Ability to increase student motivation and involvement.
- Good technical quality.
- Evidence of effectiveness (e.g., test results).
- Freedom from unpleasant bias or advertising.
- Inclusion of user guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between abstract and concrete media classification?
Abstract media uses symbols (words, diagrams). Concrete media involves direct experience (demonstrations, real situations). The difference lies in the level of interpretation required versus the tangibility of the learning experience provided.
How do digital learning objects differ from traditional instructional media?
Digital objects are reusable, multimedia formats (e-books, MOOCs). Traditional media are static physical resources (charts, books). Digital tools offer greater flexibility and dynamic content delivery than traditional resources.
What are the core components of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)?
MOOCs comprise course planning, lecture notes or instructional videos, and learning activities or assessments. They are designed for open access and emphasize self-directed, flexible learning based on defined outcomes.
What are the key advantages of using instructional media in teaching?
Media clarifies messages, overcomes limitations of time and space, and ensures a consistent, shared learning experience for all students. This varied usage maintains engagement and improves overall comprehension.
According to McAlpine & Weston, what is a crucial evaluation criterion for media?
A crucial criterion is proven effectiveness, often measured by improved student test scores. Other factors include technical quality, suitability for the curriculum, and being free from inappropriate bias or advertising.
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