Instructional Media Design Commons^™

Foreword, Pedagogical Innovations In Computer Science Education, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Computer science education sits at a defining moment. Across schools and universities worldwide, computing is no longer a niche discipline reserved for a select few. It is a foundational literacy that shapes how learners understand the world, participate in society, and imagine their futures. At the same time, the rapid pace of technological change, particularly in artificial intelligence, data systems, and intelligent tools, has placed unprecedented pressure on educators to rethink not only what we teach, but why and how we teach it. This book arrives precisely when such reflection is most needed.

Assessing The Impact Of Substituting Interaction Types: An Empirical Study Of The Interaction Equivalency Theory, Scott Hauert, Tian Luo, Cherng-Jyh Yen

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Studies on learner–learner and learner–instructor interaction provide insight into the preferences and perceived effects of interaction types. However, evidence of the impact on measured performance resulting from substituting learner–content interaction for learner–learner interaction is sparse. Using an experimental design, this study examined the impact of substituting interaction types on perception of workload, perception of learning, and measured performance in an online, asynchronous, undergraduate-level setting of formal distance education. The results of this study showed (a) learner–learner interactions were perceived to be significantly more work than learner–content interactions, (b) learner–content interactions were perceived to be significantly more helpful in learning the …

Instructional Designers' Reflections On Generative Ai Use For Scenario-Based And Performance-Centered Learning: A Collective Autoethnography, Nour El Houda Maache, Dan V. Dao, Jiyoon Jung, Jayanth Nadheri, Nari Kim, Chikezie Ozuzu, Xinyue Ren

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This study examines how instructional designer-instructors (IDIs) use and evaluate generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) when designing scenario-based and performance-centered authentic learning in higher education. Using a collective autoethnography (CAE) approach, the study draws on semi-structured interviews and reflective narratives from five IDIs with varied professional experience. Findings indicate that GenAI enhanced design capacity by accelerating scenario development, translating complex content, and supporting scenario-based and performance-based task construction. At the same time, participants reported limitations related to contextual misalignment, output unreliability, and the cognitive demands of prompt refinement. Across cases, effective integration depended on sustained human oversight, disciplinary judgment, and ethical …

Adult Learners' Perspectives Of Ai Applications In Supporting Andragogy, Jinhee Kim, Xi Lin, Seongryeong Yu, Rita Detrick

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Emerging roles and capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have the potential to support andragogical education and enhance learning experience for adult learners (ALs). However, the effective use of AI to support multifaceted components of andragogy including involvement, experience, problem-centered, relevance remains under explored. Furthermore, research on AI design principles to support ALs and andragogy is limited. This study, therefore, aims to investigate ALs perceptions of AI applications in enhancing andragogy and to explore the essential design principles of AI systems for andragogy. To this end, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 ALs facilitated by 11 scenarios of AI …

Peacock Competency Model For Online Library Instruction, Rebeca Peacock

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Academic librarians are an integral part of academia offering niche expertise that benefits faculty and students alike. But they often lack specific guidance on developing competencies for the online teaching that is increasingly expected of them. This article addresses the lack of field specific guidance for academic librarians' online teaching by proposing a competency model grounded in expert practice. The study used semi-structured interviews with 18 academic librarians to address this gap asking: what knowledge, skills, and attitudes are needed for academic librarians to be successful in providing effective online library instruction?

Hyflex Course Design: Outcomes, Challenges, And Supports For Students And Instructors, Tracey Barr, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Since it was first developed in 2006, the hybrid flexible, or HyFlex, course model has been growing in prevalence in higher education. HyFlex courses are defined as those allowing students to decide whether to experience course material in person, online synchronously, or asynchronously on a weekly or daily basis without warning to, or permission from, the course’s instructor. Empirical research regarding this instructional approach is still relatively limited despite increased attention during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing interest in providing alternatives to fully in-person instruction has made it necessary to closely examine the existing body of research to determine …

Impacts Of Segmenting Principle On Learner Performance And Attitude In A 3d Environment: A Mixed-Method Multiple Case Study, Kristin Herman, Mohan Yang, Jim Shifflet, Noah Glaser

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This study presents a conceptual replication of Moreno’s (Appl Cogn Psychol 21:765–781. 10.1002/acp.1348, 2007) study on the benefits of adhering to the segmentation principle when utilizing multimedia learning objects. Furthermore, this study expands upon the original by taking place in a low-immersive virtual reality environment, allowing for further understanding on the extent to which multimedia principles are still relevant. Both a synchronous and an asynchronous case are presented. Results indicate benefits for both cases in far transfer of learning. Furthermore, synchronous learners indicated a significant reduction in cognitive load and increased overall attitudes towards learning due to segmented instruction.

Designing A Tpack-Based Mobile Learning Model For Biology Education Using Nominal Group Techniques, Cik Jamaliah Abd Manaf, Shakinaz Desa, Muhammad Ikhwan Mat Saad, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Mobile learning (m-learning) enhances STEM education, particularly in biology, by supporting visualization and interaction. However, a structured framework integrating technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) is essential. This study designs a TPACK-based mobile learning model for biology using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). A workshop with 10 experts identified seven key components and 67 elements, with nine elements rejected due to low consensus. The validated framework will guide model development using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) to enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and digital citizenship, ultimately fostering effective mobile learning environments for biology education.

Leveraging Custom Gpts For Formative Assessment And Feedback, Nari Kim, Jason Vickers, Shaimaa Alyehaibi, Chikezie Ozuzu, Xinyue Ren, Suhasini Kotcherlakota

STEMPS Faculty Publications

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, the use of custom generative pre-trained transformers (Custom GPTs) in formative assessments opens new opportunities for improving student learning and engagement. Custom GPTs increase cognitive and emotional engagement by providing timely, context-sensitive, and tailored responses based on unique learner profiles. This paper aims to investigate how custom GPT-driven formative feedback can enhance individualized learning experiences and improve student performance. This paper will discuss the promise of this AI tool, the challenges associated with its application, and recommendations for educators and academics looking to use these technologies for formative assessments.

Advancing Pedagogical And Instructional Design Through Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Education And Training Contexts, Mohan Yang, Jewoong Moon, Tian Luo, Jinhee Kim

STEMPS Faculty Publications

[Introduction] "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

It is our pleasure and honor as guest editors for this special issue of the Journal of Applied Instructional Design (JAID) to present "Advancing Pedagogical and Instructional Design through Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education and Training Contexts." This issue arrives at a truly timely moment, as the rapid and continuous development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is fundamentally reshaping the traditional paradigms of teaching, learning, and training.

Identifying Support Structures Associated With Informal Formative Evaluation In Instructional Design, Suzanne Smith, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Instructional designers perform informal formative evaluation in design practice. An evaluation may be used to locate errors in alignment of instructional objectives or to increase the quality or effectiveness of a design. An instructional design review is similar to peer reviews in higher education which are often structured, and tools are provided to contribute to the review. A study was performed to identify the support structures and tools that contribute to building a community of feedback within the practice of instructional design reviews. Six instructional designers and design managers were interviewed to gather the processes they use in design reviews …

Empowering Learners In Higher Education: Redesigning An Online Computer Science Course Through Universal Design For Learning Implementation, Ana E. Redstone, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This article focuses on the practical implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in an online computer science course, articulating the collaborative efforts between the instructional designer (the first author) and the faculty member to redesign the course using UDL principles. Specific instances of redesigned learning modules and artifacts in adherence to UDL principles and results and insights gained from the implementation are reported. The article concludes with recommendations for higher education faculty and instructional designers to consider when applying UDL in their online courses.

Ready To Implement? An Exploration Of K12 Faculty's Preparedness To Create Inclusive Learning Environments, Kristin Herman, John Baaki

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Understanding how to create trauma-informed learning environments which can contribute to learner empowerment is the focus of this phase of an ongoing education design research project. As embedding opportunities for social-emotional learning (SEL) competency development has proven to help all students develop a sense of belonging within their educational environments (Cooper, 2014), a classroom climate that promotes these opportunities proves a useful metric by which to define inclusive learning environments. Internal and external factors K-12 faculty perceive as affecting their ability to create inclusive learning environments for increasingly diverse student bodies are examined. Observations are used to understand the extent …

Exploring Instructional Designers' Utilization And Perspectives On Generative Ai Tools: A Mixed Methods Study, Tian Luo, Pauline S. Muljana, Xinyue Ren, Dara Young

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has caused significant disruptions on a global scale in various workplace settings, including the field of instructional design (ID). Given the paucity of research investigating the impact of GenAI on ID work, we conducted a mixed methods study to understand instructional designers (IDs)’ perceptions and experiences of utilizing GenAI across a spectrum of ID tasks. A total of 70 IDs completed an online survey, and 13 of them participated in the semi-structured interviews. The survey results indicated IDs’ familiarity with and perceived usability of GenAI tools in performing various ID responsibilities in their …

Building Belonging Into The System, Kristin Herman, Michelle Gill

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This design case documents how a K-12 district took steps to systemically support virtual student wellness and belonging. Plans for course design to support social-emotional-academic learning (SEAL) competencies, increase perception of belonging, and create safe, predictable learning environments characteristic of a trauma-informed approach to teaching and learning are shared. The assumption virtual learners are not looking to experience belonging and cannot be successful unless they already have strong SEAL skills is challenged. Rather, the positioning of SEAL competencies as learning objectives rather than necessary prerequisites to access online learning proved to contribute to more equitable learning opportunities.

Authentic Learning Design Failures: The Need For Learner And Contextual Analysis And Participatory Design, Mohan Yang, Jon Harbor

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This design case examines what program leaders learned from failures in the design of a program of authentic learning about teaching diverse audiences through educational outreach. The program was initiated and then redesigned to develop the teaching and communication skills of graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds by engaging them in authentic experiences with middle school teachers and students. Analysis of post-program data revealed seven design failures related to the lack of upfront analysis to inform the program design. Each design failure was detailed through a fishbone diagram method to identify the corre- sponding contributing factors. The failures …

Pursuing Professional Learning By Using Social Media: How Do Instructional Designers Apply Self-Regulated Learning?, Pauline Salim Muljana, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The instructional design and technology field are dynamic, requiring instructional designers to stay abreast through timely professional learning. Social media offers characteristics to collapse the time, geographical, and financial limitations of informal professional learning, but challenges exist. Continuous professional learning requires proactive actions, wherein self-regulated learning (SRL) plays an important role. How-ever, not all professionals know the effective strategies to promote SRL skills. This study examines instructional designers' (N = 17) experiences of professional learning on social media through an SRL lens. Data collected through semi-structured inter-views were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings include SRL strategies con-ducted by instructional designers …

Universal Design For Learning Implementation In Higher Education: Survey Of Faculty And Instructional Designers, Breanne A. Kirsch, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Universal design for learning (UDL) is an inclusive design framework. Faculty and instructional designers were surveyed to investigate UDL implementation in higher education. This survey was based on one used by Westine et al. (2019). Results about how faculty and instructional designers learn about UDL, how instructional designers train and support faculty in UDL, and why and how participants choose to employ UDL are shared. The results from this study have provided new findings in relation to faculty and instructional designer UDL implementation efforts in higher education that have implications for training and supporting faculty with UDL application efforts.

Instructional Design Learners Make Sense Of Theory: A Collaborative Autoethnography, Holly Fiock, Sally Meech, Mohan Yang, Yishi Long, Tadd Farmer, Nathan Hilliard, Adrie A. Koehler, Zui Cheng

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Understanding theory is essential to instructional design (ID) research and practice; however, novice designers struggle to make sense of instructional design theory due to its abstract and complex nature, the inconsistent use of theoretical terms and concepts within literature, and the dissociation of theory from practice. While these challenges are generally understood, little is known about the sensemaking process of learners as they encounter these challenges in pursuit of deeper theoretical understanding. Using a collaborative autoethnographic approach, six ID learners investigated their sensemaking experience within an advanced ID theory course. Autoethnography, a form of qualitative research, focuses on self-reflection “to …

Past Precedent Reconciling Established Multimedia Principles In 3d Virtual Learning Environments, Kristin Herman, Jim S. Shifflett, Courtney W. Schoolmaster, Charles Thull, Noah Glaser

STEMPS Faculty Publications

This design case documents the inception, development, and installation of a virtual exhibit on ethical use of learning analytics (LA) for the Museum of Instructional Design (MID), hosted in Mozilla Hubs. Tension emerged as the design team attempted to negotiate established principles of multimedia design theory (see Mayer, 2014; Mayer & Fiorella, 2021; Richardson, 2014) within an emerging learning environment. A rapid prototyping model, combined with elements of critical museology and dialectics, allowed for ongoing formative evaluation of design fidelity. Exhibit artifacts consisted of scenarios illustrating the ethical ambiguities of LA; a data justice timeline pairing recent peer-reviewed articles on …

Lights, Camera, Activity! A Systematic Review Of Research On Learner-Generated Videos, Bridgette Shade Epps, Tian Luo, Pauline S. Muljana

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Aim/Purpose

The current literature discusses the use and benefits of learner-generated videos (LGVs). However, it rarely addresses any correlation between the types of subjects that are best suited for using these videos or what techniques should accompany the use of LGVs.

Background

This systematic review synthesizes current literature to identify patterns and implications that develop from the use of LGVs so that their future use can be both consistent and effective. This paper also reviews the studies to establish the most consistent educational benefits that emerge from this activity.

Methodology

Employing the Preferred-Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses …

Free Asynchronous Professional Development By, From, And For Instructional Designers: How Informal Learning Opportunities Shape Our Professional Learning And Design Practices, Pauline S. Muljana, Kristen Austion, Kayla Jutzi, Lora B. Pezzell, Malgorzata (Gosia) Pytel

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Instructional designers (IDs) need to maintain an understanding of the current trends and issues within the field. Pursuing professional learning informally supports IDs’ effort to keep up with current trends and issues because it is not restricted by curriculum and time. Professional development (PD) offered by Professional Development for Instructional Designers (PD4IDs) learning group can address issues related to geographical and funding limitations. This application paper presents the coordination of PD based on the conceptual framework (e.g., Community of Practice and Social Network Knowledge Construction) and reflections of several PD4IDs members with various roles. The reflections indicate the benefits of …

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 …

Exploring Faculty Perceptions Of Professional Development Support For Transitioning To Emergency Remote Teaching, Ana Redstone, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Professional development (PD) for instructors at higher education institutions offering online courses is important for assuring the quality of online programs. However, PD opportunities for faculty members have often been piecemeal and inadequate. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced instructors around the world to teach online, PD has become even more critical to the success of the instructors, students, and institutions themselves. This paper describes research conducted at a large university in the United States that used a survey developed to operationalize Baran and Correia’s (2014) holistic Professional Development Framework for Online Teaching (PDFOT). The survey identified strengths …

Design Matters: Development And Validation Of The Online Course Design Elements (Ocde) Instrument, Florence Martin, Doris U. Bolliger, Claudia Flowers

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Course design is critical to online student engagement and retention. This study focused on the development and validation of an online course design elements (OCDE) instrument with 38 Likert-type scale items in five subscales: (a) overview, (b) content presentation, (c) interaction and communication, (d) assessment and evaluation, and (e) learner support. The validation process included implementation with 222 online instructors and instructional designers in higher education. Three models were evaluated which included a one-factor model, five-factor model, and higher-order model. The five-factor and higher-order models aligned with the development of the OCDE. The frequency of use of OCDE items was …

Exploring Student Perceptions Of Flipgrid In Online Courses, Patrick R. Lowenthal, Robert L. Moore

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Asynchronous video-based discussions have affordances that can address some of the constraints of asynchronous text-based discussions. However, little research has been conducted on the use of asynchronous video-based discussions in online courses. As a result, the purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate students’ perceptions of using Flipgrid for asynchronous video-based discussions in fully online courses. We used a cross-sectional survey design to survey 79 students who used Flipgrid in a fully online course. Students overall reported that they liked using Flipgrid, it was easy to use, and that it helped improve social presence. In this paper, we will …

Chopped Id: Students Engaged In Gamification To Enhance Advanced Instructional Design Techniques, John Baaki, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The Food Network's television show Chopped pits chefs against each other, in a three-round battle, to create their best appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Facing master chef judges, the chef participants present their dishes with one chef chopped (eliminated) after each round. The last chef standing is crowned the Chopped Champion. A faculty member in an instructional design and technology program, created Chopped ID, an innovative adaptation and gamification of the Food Network's Chopped for application in a distance learning environment. Participating as competitors and judges, graduate students, firsthand, experienced gamification as an advanced instructional design technique. In the end, Chopped …

Weaving A Localized Context Of Use: What It Means For Instructional Design, John Baaki, Monica W. Tracey

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The purpose of our manuscript is to probe what a localized context of use means for instructional design practice and of environments in which learning occurs. A localized context of use emphasizes specific moments of use where context is scaled back to what is needed in a situation or moment. We begin by looking at the evolution of context of design. We review context in instructional design since Tessmer and Richey's (1997) contextual approach to instruction. We then present our localized context of use through the actions of a learner and a designer, provide applications for practice, and implications for …

Editor’S Welcome, Abbie Brown, Jill Stefaniak

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Welcome to this special edition of the Journal of Computing in Higher Education. (First paragraph) The articles in this issue focus on the instructional design process and the preparation of instructional designers. Instructional design is traditionally closely aligned with instructional technology; so much so that many refer to the discipline as instructional design/technology. We are honored to serve as guest editors for this special issue of JCHE and hope the articles that comprise this issue help articulate critically important aspects of the instructional design process as well as issues associated with the education of instructional designers.

Tessmer And Wedman: Ahead Of Their Time, John Baaki

STEMPS Faculty Publications

In 1990, Martin Tessmer and John Wedman introduced a new perspective to instructional design. Rather than a sequential waterfall approach, which dominated instructional design in the 1980's and 90's, the layers-of-necessity approach is a way of thinking about instructional design. Tessmer and Wedman viewed instructional designers as they truly are: designers who design instruction. They embraced the nature of design. Rolling back time almost 30 years, Tessmer and Webman certainly were ahead of their time.