Instructional Materials and Media for eLearning

Instructional materials and media can include the use of learning centers, instructional modules, manipulatives, and printed materials.  It brings to the classroom authentic learning experiences, critical thinking skills, questioning skills, and multimedia experiences.  Students learn better when they can experience "the real thing" so using materials and media can play an important role in education. (Smaldino p.169) However there are benefits and challenges that go along with the use of these strategies as well as learning when and where these strategies should be used.  I will try to illustrate a few of these below while looking at the problems both as infrastructure and as instructional concerns in turn.

Distance learning infrastructure is the basic physical requirements needed for the operation of a eLearning system.  When you look at eLearning and instructional materials like instructional modules, we find a benefit in the fact that these modules can be networked together and linked to other classrooms across the hall or across the country.  This adds a "window to the world" to the distance classroom. (Smaldino p. 175)  Modules are self contained learning units that guide the student through an established series of objectives.  An infrastructural challenge of module learning is selecting the proper software in order to allow necessary networking components with communication abilities, testing features, and a variety of other teacher oriented tools to make the learning environment functional. (Smaldino p. 175)  Another great benefit is the fact that eLearning can be web based.  Therefore taking students on a Virtual Field Trip is convenient and flexible for the learner since they can use the Internet asynchronously to visit the site at any time. (Smaldino p.192-193)

Instructional concerns add another layer of complexity to the selection and use of instruction materials and media in eLearning.  One benefit of instructional modules is they are self paced for students and validated instructional units for teachers.  The student benefits by being able to complete the coursework at their own pace and at the own time.  This is flexibility that students like in coursework.  For teachers, the module courses are validated prior to publication and therefore worry free as far as content is concerned.  A challenging drawback to module learning is curriculum integration.  Sometimes the preset module will not always agree with the educational institutions curricular objectives. Therefore, careful review and rigoruos evaluations are required in the selection process for any module prior to implementation. (Smaldino p.175)  Manipulatives also are instructional aides that can be used in the eLearning environment.  In the distance learning environment a manipulative is anything the student can exercise control over in the way of a simulation, game, or constructive creation. A beneficial type of manipulative webware is called Diorama Designer, Globster or Wordle and allows the student the freedom to create visual dioramas and collages that can be used as assignments or assessments. (Smaldino p.196) The student can use photos from the web or photos taken themselves and create a visual presentations complete with interactive text and videos as well.  A challenge for this type of webware is privacy concerns.  You see many of these types of sites ask that you "sign up" or join their site.  This operation usually asks for permission to link to your personal Facebook, Google+, or Twitter account.  This seemingly innocent action is the end routine of data mining.  As a teacher, I find it hard to ask my students to create a document that might allow a third party to view, store, and possibly sell their personal information.

There are benefits and challenges for all kinds of instructional materials and media.  Use of instructional materials and media brings authentic learning experiences, critical thinking skills, questioning skills, and multimedia experiences to the classroom.  Students are naturally very intuitive and appreciate their learning more when they feel the experience is "the real thing" and directly applies to their educational goals. The trick is in knowing how and when to use them.  It would not be good to try and orchestrate an entire course with only one type of instructional material and no other.  Also it doesn't really matter if they are used in the traditional classroom or the distance learning classroom.  Good instructional practices are adaptable across all classroom environments.



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