Artifacts: Practicum, Case Study 

 

 

 

 

NARRATIVE

 

• Plans and designs effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology

• Applies technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies

  •  Demonstrates understanding of social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use

      of technology and applies it in practice

 

In an effort to plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by computer-based technologies, (in this case, Blackboard LMS, and media, VoiceThread) to the solution of instructional problems, I worked in a live academic environment as an Instructional Designer for my Practicum. EDCI 559, Academic Language and Content Area Learning for English Language Learners (ELL) is conducted entirely on Blackboard. My SME stakeholder, the Purdue Professor, desired to reduce the overwhelming individual inquiries from her 52 students regarding the posted Assignments details and BB functionality. Additionally, the goal was to increase attention to Rubric details.

 

First, I analyzed the course thoroughly by reviewing the content/rubric organization and functionality within the LMS. I then researched the nuances of Blackboard technology, incorporating links, restructuring the Syllabus, while the professor incorporated new tutorial videos to alleviate this problem so that students could focus on curriculum. I coached her on how to improve the overall quality of videos. VoiceThread (video-based discussion platform), became the constructivist catalyst for communication.

 

I would evaluate this technology to ensure that this technology created an effective learning environment. I also applied technology to facilitate a variety of effective evaluation strategies. Gaining a window into learner satisfaction/course improvement with a mid-term Week 4 Level 1 Kirkpatrick evaluation, I worked with this professor as well as my evaluation course professor to craft the most relevant questions. To deliver and average data, I utilized the evaluation technology platform, Qualtrix. The course received high marks on everything but mid-lined on assessments, therefore I made technology suggestions to the professor to utilize internal Instruction Designer resources to create more interactive, effective assessments for future iterations of this course.

 

The secondary focus of my Practicum included researching BB functionality to implement desired aspects such as Calendar creation and Course Schedule linking to Assignments, DBs, Rubrics, and Readings. All tasks were completed successfully. I also worked with the professor and Purdue multimedia staff to improve video quality and created intro animations and video lessons ; all to improve course engagement. All in all, the experience was invaluable, and if I found myself engaged and comfortable working with a professor in a real course where my efforts were applied and appreciated. Analyzing and improving eLearning courses within an LMS is a role I would cherish and add value to professionally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SYLLABUS INTRO VIDEO FOR GRADUATE ELL COURSE

​

To demonstrate and understand social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology and its applications in practice, I point to a case study from my EDCI 672, Advanced Design course. The Instructional Designer, Iris Daniels, experienced her first implementation of instructional technology on a global basis to design instruction for an international consortium.

Human and Social:   The social problem Iris faced was that not all cultures were on board with the US created technologies deployed for instruction. Iris was quickly educated to the fact that some key stakeholders used meetings to only confirm generalizations. Design details would need to be determined in one-on-one meetings. The wide variety of stakeholder personalities challenged her cultural interaction in ways beyond interactions in which she typically operated.

Ethical:  In Iris' case, it was unethical to implement interactive technologies without evaluating the cultures in which these technologies would be used. Many of the cultures were mired in behaviorist practices.

Legal:  Consideration, in this case, was not fairly given to all members of the consortium, nor to the French development company. Contracts could be broken, with financial peril, by not designing for a worldwide audience.

 

Though I have been faced with numerous social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology and its applications in practice, this example of how Iris mishandled the social interaction during stakeholder meetings, and poorly dealt with various cultural aspects, developed a deeper understanding for better handling future situations of my own.