·
What impact does technology and multimedia have
on online learning environments?
Thanks to the quick movement of technology and
software available, online learning has long taken advantage of new
technologies and multimedia to engage students and supplement learning. The
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed capabilities even further as school
systems and workplaces across the globe had to figure out how to march forward
remotely. The impact of technology and multimedia on online learning is almost
impossible to measure. Multimedia is intuitively beneficial in educating online
students as it provides a course designer with the opportunity to optimize the
use of the senses of sound, vision and spatial awareness. It enables the
benefits of face-to-face learning while also allowing asynchronous delivery
·
What are the most important considerations an
online instructor should make before implementing technology?
The most important considerations an online
instructor should make are accessibility and learning objectives. Although
using multimedia technology to enhance a course is important, the type of
multimedia used may require internet access and speeds that not all students
will have. An instructor should take into account the geographic locations of
the students and whether or not everyone will be able to easily access
materials and content. An instructor also needs to ensure that multimedia isn’t
being used just because its available but because it can be mapped to learning
objectives for the course in defense of use
·
What implications do usability and accessibility
of technology tools have for online teaching?
Online learning offers a unique chance to “level
the playing field” for students. Resources and information can be provided equally
as long as all students can easily access the information. When designing a
course, accessibility is an important factor. 508 compliance and other considerations
should be taken into account so that all students can master the material. Universities
must provide students with disabilities equal access to all programs, including
activities and services that allow an equal opportunity for them to actively
participate and to achieve the same results as other students
·
What technology tools are most appealing to you
for online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design?
I do not plan to have a career in instructional
design. However, some of the same tools can be used for collaboration in my workplace
as a technical writer. The tools I find most appealing are the collaborative workspace
technologies. Apps like Google Docs allow a team to edit and create content
together which I imagine would be good for group work in an online course.
Overall, I learned that it doesn’t matter if I
establish the perfect content using the best multimedia tools if it is not accessible
to everyone. As I move forward in my career, accessibility will be at the
forefront of the document I design.
References
Akhter, F. (2017). Virtual Learning Environment: How
Well Designed Multimedia Lowers the Learners Cognitive Load. Journal of
International Business Research, 16(1). Retrieved from
https://www.abacademies.org/articles/virtual-learning-environment-how-well-designed-multimedia-lowers-the-learners-cognitive-load-6882.html
Betts, K., Riccobono, M., & Welsh,
B. (2013). INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL SECTION ON INTEGRATING ACCESSIBILITY
INTO ONLINE LEARNING. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17(3),
1-5.
Enhancing the online
experience (2010). [Motion Picture].
Comments
Post a Comment