Instruction Systems Desings (ISD) within an online coruse are coposed of four main phases: Analysis -->Design --> Development --> Evaluation.
Analysis consists of studying our audience and the kind of content needed to be delivered as well as learning outcomes. After this analysis, the design must contain description of the instructional media to be utilized, the kinds of presentations included, the online learning activities, and the manner the intended learning will be measured (assessment). The Course Design is used as a blueprint to guide the instruction, and the evaluation must be designed with the students' perspective in mind.
A variety of Media Strategies must be carefully planned and utilized thoruhgout the entire course design. There are six kinds of know online media strategies known to be effective online: Text, Audio, Animation, Graphics, Video, Artwork & Photos.
Text is used based on the analysis of content to be presented. Genrally, is not recommended to be too long as to not to bore students.
Audio enahnces the students multi-sensory needs and it is highly liked as well as Animation creating the illusion of movement and Graphics, using color, bars, tables and 3-D images. Visual effects are memorablle to students and they reinforce the saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words".
Videos are wel-known and engaging. Most often used are youtube; panopto, etc.
Artwork and Photos are attention getters when using special effects, color, and sounds; they reinforce the content's key points.
ISD drives student engagement and participation. The main reason students choose online courses is convenience of venue by choosing a more comfortable learning environment. Ideas to help engage students and make their learning relevant and focused are thorugh the use of peer feedback, and student self-evaluation rubrics where they assess their strenghts.
ISD should also include practical opportunities for Teamwork: THis encourages students to apply their rcently acquired knowledge by sharing ideas and cooperation. Group assignments allow for a division of tasks and ideas sharing.
Student Participation is a goal of any learning and online learning is no different. The objective is to increase student participation through "purpose-driven engagement." This means, students must be clearly informed of the reasons why they ust understand and master the content of the lessons and course and how they are expected to enahance and achieve their learning goals by using peer interactions and peer relationships.
Group work is an effective student engagement technique and the course ISD must include as many as possible during synchronous discussions by foring small groups composed of 2-5 students. Groups should be assigned and instructor must ensure to communicate he/she is available to support the students during their group work efforts. Enccouraging chats also drive group engagement.
Planning evaluations in the form of Exams, tests, quizzes, and self-evalutions is paramount to ensure students gage their learning and assess their strenghts. The use if detailed rubrics, frequent self-reflections, and providing clear directions also increases the students understanding of the assignments and reduces the typical sense of student isolation that could creep up and disengage or demotivate students in an online environment.
Other assessment methods could be throught the use of short essays, researrch papers, case studies, small group written assignments, all submitted online.
Online discussions have been proven to be engaging. If they are asynchronous, the instructor starts and assigns a student moderator, asking for discussion replies. The idea of "concept mapping" also offers the benefits of "brain-storming". Concept mapping offers a framework with flow charts guiding the students projects and discussion. They can be used with live group presentations.
Lastly, designing tests, quizzes, and exams provides the student with assessmet of their learning. They should be scored automatically where students get their score immediately. They could be sing multiple choice, or true/false. They can also be designed to get short and long written answers from the student depending on the kind of Learning Management system (LMS). The latter must be hand scored by the instructor.
