• Recall the events of instruction
• Provide an overview of the information processing model (IP) and place in order the steps in the IP model
• Match the event of instruction to the corresponding step in the IP model
• Identify the five learning components of a lesson
• Appreciate the purpose of grouping the events of instruction into learning components and match the event of instruction to the corresponding learning component
• Evaluate current lesson and identify the learning components
• Describe how you will utilize knowledge learned in this unit to design a future lesson/course.
  
  

What is the “science” behind learning?

[PRE-INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITY]
If you recall the introduction movie you watched at the beginning of this training, you will remember that learning takes place in clear, methodical steps. This sequence in addition to other approaches was again emphasized in Module 2 when we spoke of learning theories. Gagne’s nine events of instruction and the information processing model are fundamental to understanding how learning takes place. The next logical question is to ask how do these two important philosophies relate to one another and why is it important to me as an online instructor? Review this narrated presentation on IPM and Events of Instruction, this will give you an overview of the interrelated elements between the two theories and how it sets the stage for the next step in your lesson development process.

What are learning components? Why should I be concerned about this

[CONTENT PRESENTATION]
Teaching online or for that matter face to face teaching is a daunting task. Once you have completed the analysis and listed the goals and objectives of the course, what is the next step?

By now, you know what you have to teach but do you know how? How do you organize your lessons? What is the best way to introduce concepts to your students and assure that they retain and apply this knowledge? Enter learning components.

Learning components are the building blocks of a sound lesson plan. The five commonly listed learning components that take students through the process of guided learning are: 1. Pre-instructional activity, 2. Content Presentation, 3. Learner Participation (includes practice and feedback), 4. Assessment and 5. Follow through activities.

Planning and designing course content, activity and assessment around these learning components ensure that student’s guided learning is tracing the steps of the events of instruction and the IP model. An example of this unit’s lesson plan lists the learning components and the planned activity for each section. Please review a narrated presentation on the learning components and how they are matched/grouped into the events of instruction. This presentation will provide you with suggested learning activities for each learning component.

[LEARNER PARTICIPATION]
To test your knowledge and understanding of the information processing model, events of instruction and how they relate to the learning components, take a practice quiz (Blackboard access required) that requires you to place in order the steps of the IP model, match an example of an event in a lesson to the corresponding event of instruction and the step in the IP model ad match an example of an event in a lesson to the corresponding learning component.

[ASSESSMENT]
As you look at your lesson plan that you are creating for your online course, this activity will help you categorize your lesson into learning components. You are encouraged to list and describe possible instructional activities that can be used for each of the learning components in your lesson. Complete and submit the Learning Components in Current Lesson Worksheet using the Blackboard Assignment Tool. (Blackboard access required)
An ETA instructional designer will review your work and provide individual feedback.

[FOLLOW-THROUGH ACTIVITY]
By following the suggested structure of five learning components for our lesson here, the activity you are required to complete for this section is to describe how you will utilize knowledge learned in this unit to design a future lesson/course. Post your thoughts to the Blackboard Journal Posting. (Blackboard access required). An ETA instructional designer will review your work and provide individual feedback.

Understanding and applying the principles of learning design to each of your lesson assures the instructional integrity and focus of the lesson. You can rest assured that your students are tapping into past experiences (experiential learning), exposed to new content (content presentation), exposed to adequate practice and feedback (learner participation), guaranteed that learning has in fact occurred (assessment) and perform post instructional activities that confirm to you that learning continues into the future.

End of Unit 3.2