Education Commons^™

Chapter 06. Instructional Message Design For Adult Learners, Pamela J. Smith-Downing

Instructional Message Design, Volume 3

As stated in Chapter 1, message design is all around us, from the presentations we see in meetings and classes, to the instructions that come with our latest tech gadgets, to multi-million-dollar training simulations. The instructional message design field of study pulls from many applied sciences, including cognitive psychology, industrial design, graphic design, instructional design, information technology, and human performance technology, to name just a few. In this chapter, we will visit several adult learning theories and examples that guide our research into adult learning, look at different real-world instructional message designs for adult learners, and discuss directions for future …

Using Adult Learning Characteristics And The Humanities To Teach Undergraduate Healthcare Students About Social Determinants Of Health, Elizabeth A. Brown, Hannah Kinder, Garrett Stang, Wendy Shumpert

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Authors used an andragogy framework to help undergraduate allied health students better understand social determinants of health (SDOH) using a photo essay assignment. The study examined students’ perceptions of SDOH in various communities, description of health outcomes associated with their chosen SDOH, and lessons learned and suggestions to improve the assignment for future cohorts. Data were extracted from photo essays from 2019–2021 and entered in Microsoft Excel and Word for data analysis after course completion. Conventional qualitative content analysis was used to analyze student evaluation data from open-ended questions. Data were extracted from 53 student essays from 2019 to 2021. …

A Look Into Increasing The Number Of Veterans And Former Government Employees Converting To Career And Technical Cybersecurity Teachers, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Michael Anthony Crespo, Drew E. Brown, Deborah Marshall, Otilia Popescu, Murat Kuzlu, Petros J. Katsioloudis, Linda Vahala

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The current state of technology with recent explosions in the digital processing of paperwork, computer networking use, and online and virtual approaches to areas, which until very recently had traditional and non-computerized ways of operating, led to a steady increase in the demand for jobs in the area of computer science and cybersecurity. The education system, the pipeline for the incoming workforce, needs to keep up with this tremendous pace in technology and the job market. The current K-12 school system has been extensively challenged to fill out necessary positions in order to address the increasing need for programs that …

Facilitating Veteran And Adult Students' Learning And Retention In Engineering: Faculty-Student Partnership - A Model Of An Evidence-Based Practice, Kim E. Bullington, Anthony Dean, Cynthia Tomovic, Vukica M. Jovanović, Rafael E. Landaeta

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

With the growing number of adult and military veterans entering higher education, it is important to understand and incorporate the basics of andragogy in curriculum, course development, and the learning environment to facilitate learning and degree completion. Researchers in this S-STEM project funded by the NSF share observations of a student-faculty partnership that resulted from the development of a formal learning community. A series of targeted seminars were conducted that appear to have increased adult and military veteran engineering and technology students’ levels of connectedness and self-efficacy. Results of this pilot study are shared as an evidence-based practice to enhance …

When Failure Is An Option: A Scoping Review Of Failure States In Game-Based Learning, F. Eamonn Powers, Robert L. Moore

STEMPS Faculty Publications

As interest in the use of games and gaming elements within learning environments grows, educators and designers may find it easier to account for winning than for losing and failure. This scoping review examines the role of failure and loss within game-based instructional interventions. Because of the varied methods and relatively small number of articles directly addressing the intersection between failure and loss within game-based instructional interventions, a scoping review was undertaken. This review included 14 peer-reviewed articles which explored a range of instructional contexts implementing failure state game mechanics. We identify several key takeaways that indicate how failure state …

Assessing An Academic Readiness Model In A Community College Occupational Program, Scott A. Hauert, Robert L. Moore, Quinton Nottingham

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This study assessed a localized academic readiness model that measures academic skills relevant to an occupational program and the institutional context. Enrollment in the program’s mandatory gateway course is contingent upon establishing academic readiness either: (1) possess an associate-level or higher degree; (2) achieve placement test scores that permit enrollment in college-level English composition/critical reading; or (3) complete developmental education prerequisites to permit enrollment in college-level English composition/critical reading. Using the gateway course performance for 112 students, the study explored whether any of the model’s criterions are significantly related to success in the gateway course and whether there is any …

Chapter 8: Cultural Aspects And Implications Of Instructional Message Design, Frances R. Dukes

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

“There is also widespread agreement that a major priority is the reform of schools and other academic venues so that students from diverse, racial, ethnic, and social class groups can achieve equality.” (Roblyer, Dozier-Henry, & Burnette, 1996).

Culture is a major determinant in modern instructional design and instructional message design for a global community of learners. Instructional designers of web-based information for world-wide and cross-culture learners are tasked with developing effective, culture-sensitive, innovative, and useful instructional tools. “Multicultural teaching must entail reaching students by connecting with their cultural, ethnic, linguistic, social, and other affiliations” (Capuk & Kara, 2015). The tenets …

Chapter 5: Instructional Message Design With Powerpoint, Meredith Spencer

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

Now a household name, Microsoft PowerPoint software is one of the most commonly used slideware presentation tools in business, scientific conferences, education, and other professional, academic, government, and military settings. As an instructional message design tool, controversy proliferates surrounding its role in the classroom experience and its impact on cognitive learning. After compiling the research, lessons can be garnered on how to best visually display PowerPoint slides, how to most effectively deliver PowerPoint-aided instruction, and how to maximize student learning from PowerPoint-based lessons. This chapter will explore the existing body of literature on the technology’s capabilities and limitations; offer best …

Chapter 4: Message Design For Instructional Designers - Human Performance Technology, Dana Garcia

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

How often do you take on an assignment or responsibility and reflect I knew how to do it better, but I didn’t? I’ll do better next time. Do you really do better next time? Maybe? Honestly, probably not but why is that? Human Performance Technology is focused on answering those questions. It gets to the root cause of why we don’t meet desired performance levels. The value of finding foundational causes for performance deficiencies is maximizing human capital because the largest expense of most companies is payroll. The most common investment in their employees is providing more opportunities for instruction …

Chapter 7: Learners With Disabilities And Video-Based Instructional Message Design, Charles Thull

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

Learners with disabilities are entitled to public education that supports their unique needs, but unfortunately, they experience poor post-secondary outcomes when compared to their peers, including lower rates of post-secondary education engagement and employment. Individuals with low incidence disabilities experience lower employment rates when compared to other individuals with disabilities, due to the impact of difficulties with social/communication, self-determination, and executive functioning skills. Researchers have developed video-based instruction with various message design and technology features to support independence for individuals with disabilities, including basic to complex vocational task completion. This chapter will provide useful information for designers, educators, state and …

Chapter 2: Cognitive Load Theory And Instructional Message Design, Bethany Emory

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

Although theoretical in basis, Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is pragmatic in nature. Its goal, as it relates to instructional message design, is to present information in a way that enables the learner to process it as efficiently as possible and add it to their brain as learned information. This process relies on the brain for memory, which is separated into two component parts – working memory and long-term memory. Both of these forms of memory are required to connect new information to information that is known – which are essential elements in the learning process. To do this, information that …

Chapter 6: Designing And Learning From Modeling And Simulations, Travis Saylor

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

Instruction message design with simulations is the use of technology to create virtual environments for cost-effective, safe, and authentic learning. This chapter presents a condensed history of simulation learning, an introduction to several approaches to design instructional simulations, and research based best practices that can be used to guide instructional designers. These best practices include the attention to fidelity or realism of the simulation, the removal of extraneous distractions from the design, and the inclusion of sight, sound, and haptic details that the learner will encounter in the real world. Augmented reality, or the blending of virtual and physical environments, …

Chapter 3: Multimedia Learning Theory And Instructional Message Design, Miguel Ramlatchan

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

Multimedia learning theory describes how the designers of instructional messages, systems, and learning environments can optimize learning. The principles and heuristics of multimedia learning theory have application in traditional and online environments, with young and adult learners, in K-12, higher education, military, corporate, government, and informal learning environments. This diversity of application is based on the foundational premise that all learners can independently process auditory and visual information, have limited working memory resources, and require cognitive resources to process new information and to learn. This chapter describes the basic tenets of multimedia learning theory, best practices that can improve our …

Instructional Message Design: Theory, Research, And Practice, Miguel Ramlatchan, Bethany Emory, Dana Garcia, Meredith Spencer, Travis Saylor, Charles Thull, Frances R. Dukes

Instructional Message Design, Volume 1

Message design is all around us, from the presentations we see in meetings and classes, to the instructions that come with our latest tech gadgets, to multi-million-dollar training simulations. In short, instructional message design is the real-world application of instructional and learning theories to design the tools and technologies used to communicate and effectively convey information. This field of study pulls from many applied sciences including cognitive psychology, industrial design, graphic design, instructional design, and human performance technology to name just a few. In this book we visit several foundational theories that guide our research, look at different real-world applications, …

Impact Of Bioinspired Robots On Veterans Pursuing Stem Degrees, Otilia Popescu, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Krishnanand Kaipa, Karina Arcaute, Anthony W. Dean

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The gap in the area of advanced manufacturing skilled workforce and the efforts in guiding veterans towards STEM careers are merged in the NSF funded project presented in this paper. While most of the products and STEM educational programs focused on a maker concept that are currently available are specifically designed for young population, at various K-12 grade levels, to increase their interest in STEM and engineering careers in particular, there is a limited availability of such programs to address adult population. The study presented in this paper focuses on developing and implementing a series of workshops for veterans, using …

Creating The Fleet Maker - Lessons Learned From The First Series Of Workshops On Maker Concepts For Active Duty Personnel, Karina Arcaute, Michel Albert Audette, Vukica Jovanovic, Anthony Dean, Dipankar Ghosh

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The US Navy has supported research related to the 3D printing or Additive Manufacturing area for more than 20 years. More recently, efforts like the Print the Fleet initiative and Marine Makers are exploring ways to design and create solutions to future problems with the possibility of reducing maintenance costs, increasing equipment readiness, and improving combat effectiveness. The Creating the Fleet Maker project is an effort supported by the Navy and Marine Corps Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education, Outreach and Workforce Program of the Office of Naval Research. It examines the concept of making in order to develop skills …

Advancing The Engineering Field: Opportunities To Support Transfer Students, Vukica M. Jovanovic, Narketta Sparkman-Key, Konstantin P. Cigularov, Daniela Cigularova, Bonita G. Anthony, Otilia Popescu

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Advancements in technology have made it vital that technicians advance their skills to stay current and competitive in the job market. Many technicians choose to transfer to baccalaureate programs in engineering and other STEM fields in order to advance their skills. As a result, engineering programs usually have a large population of transfer students. Many of transfer students are studying while employed in the field and some juggle a career and family while advancing their education. Accordingly, transfer students face various issues when transferring to different university settings. Some of these issues are related to embeddedness into the university community …

Supporting Veteran Students Along Engineering Pathways: Faculty, Student, And Researcher Perspectives, Brian J. Novoselich, Janice Leshay Hall, Keith A. Landry, Joyce B. Main, Anthony W. Dean

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Student veterans, with their highly technical military training, may help remedy national level gaps in qualified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers. Recent military education benefits and military end strength reductions have the potential to bolster the nation’s engineering technician, engineering technologist, and engineer (ETETE) workforce. Recent work by the National Science Foundation indicates that supporting veteran students towards ETETE careers involves three key tasks for educators: 1) building early awareness of ETETE pathways; 2) ensuring academic recognition for prior military work experience; and 3) providing seamless support from government agencies, academic institutions, and industry. Many veterans experience an …

Retention Issues Of Mature Students: A Comparative Higher Education Analysis Of Programs In The United States And Ireland, Kim Bullington Sibson, Dr. Dennis Gregory, Brian-Patrick D. Kurisky

Educational Foundations & Leadership Faculty Publications

Retention of students is an issue that challenges colleges and universities around the world and South Africa is no exception. A comparative look at Ireland and the United States shows that there are many similar tools used to retain mature students, and, at the same time, many different ones are used depending on particular situations. A brief retention literature review dealing with mature students is provided as well as examples of retention strategies used in both countries. While these strategies may not fit for South Africa, they may serve as a point of departure for similar activities there.