A practical guide to developing A practical guide to developing effective Web-based learningeffective Web-based learning

指導教授指導教授 : : 陳 明 溥陳 明 溥研 究 生研 究 生 : : 許 良 村 許 良 村

Cook, D.A., Dupras, D.M.(June,2004). A practical guide to developing effective Web-based learning. Journal of General Internal Medicine.19(6),698-707. ( Retrived March 14, 2005, from Web site: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com )

ObjectiveObjective

Online learning has changed medical Online learning has changed medical education, but many education, but many “educational”websites do not employ “educational”websites do not employ principles of effective learning. principles of effective learning.

This article will assist readers in This article will assist readers in developing effective educational developing effective educational websites by integrating principles of websites by integrating principles of active learning with the unique active learning with the unique features of the Web. features of the Web.

Preparatory steps:Preparatory steps:1.Perform a needs analysis and specify goals 1.Perform a needs analysis and specify goals

and objectives and objectives 2.Determine your technical resources and 2.Determine your technical resources and

needs needs 3.Evaluate preexisting software and use it if 3.Evaluate preexisting software and use it if

it fully meets your needs it fully meets your needs 4.Secure commitment from all participants 4.Secure commitment from all participants

and identify and address potential barriers and identify and address potential barriers to implementation to implementation

Ten steps to effective web-based learningTen steps to effective web-based learning

Development steps:Development steps:5.Develop content in close coordination with 5.Develop content in close coordination with

website design website design 6.Encourage active learning -self-6.Encourage active learning -self-

assessment, reflection,self-directed assessment, reflection,self-directed learning, problem-based learning,learner learning, problem-based learning,learner interaction, and feedback interaction, and feedback

7.Facilitate and plan to encourage use by 7.Facilitate and plan to encourage use by the learner the learner

8.Evaluate-both learners and course 8.Evaluate-both learners and course

Ten steps to effective web-based learningTen steps to effective web-based learning

Ten steps to effective web-based learningTen steps to effective web-based learning

Implementation and Maintenance:Implementation and Maintenance:

9.Pilot the website before full 9.Pilot the website before full implementation implementation

10.Plan to monitor online 10.Plan to monitor online communication and maintain the site communication and maintain the site by resolving technical problems, by resolving technical problems, periodically verifying hyperlinks, and periodically verifying hyperlinks, and regularly updating content regularly updating content

Step 1. Perform a needs analysis and Step 1. Perform a needs analysis and specify goals and objectives specify goals and objectives

NNeeds analysis includingeeds analysis including : : -- problem identification problem identification - - assessment of learners’ needsassessment of learners’ needs - - assessment of the teaching environmentassessment of the teaching environment Consider the gap between learners’ current Consider the gap between learners’ current

and ideal performanceand ideal performance - - knowledgeknowledge - - skillskill - - attitudeattitude - - behaviorbehavior

Step 2. Determine your technical Step 2. Determine your technical resources and needs resources and needs

Content expertContent expert Education expertEducation expert ProgrammerProgrammer CoursewareCourseware Computer skillsComputer skills EquipmentEquipment

Step 3. Evaluate commercial software Step 3. Evaluate commercial software and use it if it fully meets your needsand use it if it fully meets your needs

First decide whether it aligns with your First decide whether it aligns with your goals and objectives. goals and objectives.

Next determine whether the product Next determine whether the product will work on your network (consult your will work on your network (consult your specialist). specialist).

Most importantly, evaluate how well it Most importantly, evaluate how well it capitalizes on Web resources (Step 5), capitalizes on Web resources (Step 5), promotes active learning (Step 6), and promotes active learning (Step 6), and provides for evaluation (Step 8). provides for evaluation (Step 8).

Step 4. Secure commitment from all Step 4. Secure commitment from all participants and identify and address participants and identify and address potential barriers to implementation potential barriers to implementation

Potential barriers include: Potential barriers include:

- - inadequate computer skills?inadequate computer skills?

- - insufficient time?insufficient time?

- - attitude?attitude?

Step 5. Develop content in close Step 5. Develop content in close coordination with website design coordination with website design

This step and step6 must be done This step and step6 must be done together, in close harmonytogether, in close harmony

Posting previously-developed content Posting previously-developed content on the Web with little or no on the Web with little or no modification is ineffectivemodification is ineffective

Existing content can form a basis for Existing content can form a basis for the course, but should be modified to the course, but should be modified to incorporate principles of Web designincorporate principles of Web design

by Appropriately Using by Appropriately Using MultimediaMultimedia, , HyperlinksHyperlinks, and , and Online CommunicationOnline Communication. .

Principles of effective Web page design:Principles of effective Web page design:

- clear headings- clear headings

- consistent and clearly defined navigation- consistent and clearly defined navigation

- bulleted text, short sentences- bulleted text, short sentences

- avoid use of underlining (except for links)- avoid use of underlining (except for links)

Step 5. Develop content in close Step 5. Develop content in close coordination with website design coordination with website design

Multimedia refers to the simultaneous Multimedia refers to the simultaneous use :use :

- text (font, color, and size )- text (font, color, and size )

- sound - sound

- images- images

- animation- animation

- video (with or without sound) - video (with or without sound)

- slideshow (with or without narration) ,… - slideshow (with or without narration) ,…

Step 5. Develop content Step 5. Develop content (cont.)(cont.)

- - MultimediaMultimedia

multimedia use --four caveats :multimedia use --four caveats :

- it is easy to “overdo” it - it is easy to “overdo” it

- it is no substitute for good instructional- it is no substitute for good instructional design design

- keep in mind the issue of download - keep in mind the issue of download speed speed

- pay attention to copyright law - pay attention to copyright law

Step 5. Develop content Step 5. Develop content (cont.)(cont.)

- - MultimediaMultimedia

Step 5. Develop content Step 5. Develop content (cont.)(cont.)

- - HyperlinkHyperlink

-Method: synchronous,asynchronous-Method: synchronous,asynchronous

-Tool: email,chat rooms,online -Tool: email,chat rooms,online discussion board, msn,audio and discussion board, msn,audio and video conferencingvideo conferencing

Step 5. Develop content (cont.)Step 5. Develop content (cont.)- - Online CommunicationOnline Communication

Table 2. Characteristics of Effectively DTable 2. Characteristics of Effectively Designed Webpages by Krug,Hortonesigned Webpages by Krug,Horton

Clear and Consistent Page OrganizationClear and Consistent Page Organization

-Hierarchy of importance for items on the -Hierarchy of importance for items on the page, with more important things higher page, with more important things higher on page on page

-Logical groupings, with visual cues to help -Logical groupings, with visual cues to help organize groups organize groups

-Headings and navigation labels reflecting -Headings and navigation labels reflecting a single theme (e.g., topic, function, or a single theme (e.g., topic, function, or sequence) sequence)

-Consistent format from page to page -Consistent format from page to page

A well-designed educational websitA well-designed educational website: the home page e: the home page

A well-designed educational websitA well-designed educational website: a “content” page e: a “content” page

Wise Use of SpaceWise Use of Space -Division of page into grid of defined areas -Division of page into grid of defined areas -Alignment of all screen elements horizont-Alignment of all screen elements horizont

ally and vertically ally and vertically -Limited unused space (webpages require l-Limited unused space (webpages require l

ess white space than paper) ess white space than paper) -Few distractions (e.g., unnecessary color, -Few distractions (e.g., unnecessary color,

graphics, or animation) graphics, or animation)

Characteristics of Effectively Designed WebpaCharacteristics of Effectively Designed Webpages ges

Concise Text that Facilitates “scanning”Concise Text that Facilitates “scanning”

-Clear headings -Clear headings

-Short phrases and bulleted outlines -Short phrases and bulleted outlines

-Limited length of sentences (20 words) -Limited length of sentences (20 words) and paragraphs (5 sentences) and paragraphs (5 sentences)

-Limited page length (single screen for -Limited page length (single screen for homepage, scrolling limited to 3 screens homepage, scrolling limited to 3 screens for other pages) for other pages)

-Topic summarized before presenting detail -Topic summarized before presenting detail

Characteristics of Effectively Designed WebpaCharacteristics of Effectively Designed Webpages ges

Clear and Consistent NavigationClear and Consistent Navigation -Site name/logo on every page with consisten-Site name/logo on every page with consisten

t position and appearance t position and appearance -Navigation bar on every page with consistent -Navigation bar on every page with consistent

position,appearance, and content including: position,appearance, and content including: --Link to homepage --Link to homepage --Links to sections/categorie --Links to sections/categorie --Search function --Search function --Utilities (help, additional information,--Utilities (help, additional information,

contact information, etc.) contact information, etc.) --Navigation bar on right --Navigation bar on right

Characteristics of Effectively Designed WebpaCharacteristics of Effectively Designed Webpages ges

Clear and Consistent HyperlinksClear and Consistent Hyperlinks -Clearly identified hyperlinks -Clearly identified hyperlinks -Descriptive and unambiguous hyperlink -Descriptive and unambiguous hyperlink

labels labels -No use of graphics as hyperlinks -No use of graphics as hyperlinks -Repetition of important hyperlinks -Repetition of important hyperlinks

elsewhere on the page elsewhere on the page -Minimum number of “clicks” to access a -Minimum number of “clicks” to access a

given point (“flat” site architecture) given point (“flat” site architecture) -Consistent hyperlink format on all pages -Consistent hyperlink format on all pages

Characteristics of Effectively Designed WebpaCharacteristics of Effectively Designed Webpages ges

Step 6. Encourage active learningStep 6. Encourage active learning This is the most important step.This is the most important step. The key to active learning is involvement of the The key to active learning is involvement of the

learner in the learning process-encouraging learner in the learning process-encouraging them to apply new information. them to apply new information.

active learning methods: active learning methods: - self assessment- self assessment - reflection- reflection - self-directed learning- self-directed learning - problem-based learning- problem-based learning - learner interaction- learner interaction - feedback - feedback

Self-assessment:Self-assessment:

-Online pretests and posttests-Online pretests and posttests

-with correct answers and justification -with correct answers and justification provided immediately provided immediately

Reflection: Reflection:

-include learner interaction and online -include learner interaction and online personal journals and portfolios. personal journals and portfolios.

Application:Application:

-cases and simulations -cases and simulations

Step 6. Encourage active learningStep 6. Encourage active learning

Self-directed learning:Self-directed learning:

-It is a process in which individuals -It is a process in which individuals take the take the initiativeinitiative, with or without , with or without the help of others," to the help of others," to diagnose their diagnose their learning needslearning needs, , formulate learning formulate learning goalsgoals, , identify resources for learningidentify resources for learning, , select and implement learning select and implement learning strategiesstrategies, and , and evaluate learning evaluate learning outcomesoutcomes (Knowles 1975). (Knowles 1975).

Step 6. Encourage active learningStep 6. Encourage active learning

Evidence-based learning:Evidence-based learning:1. Interview and examine the patient1. Interview and examine the patient2. This usually results in multiple 2. This usually results in multiple questions about the dilemma the questions about the dilemma the patient faces. Select one carefully patient faces. Select one carefully framed question which is chosen for framed question which is chosen for evaluation.evaluation.

3. Use computer searching techniques 3. Use computer searching techniques to obtain the scientific evidence to obtain the scientific evidence most likely to answer the selected most likely to answer the selected question.question.

Step 6. Encourage active learningStep 6. Encourage active learning

4. Use explicit criteria to critically 4. Use explicit criteria to critically appraise the evidence for validity and appraise the evidence for validity and applicability.applicability.

5. Combine this evidence with experience 5. Combine this evidence with experience with other patients with similar with other patients with similar problems to answer the question.problems to answer the question.

6. Finally, this knowledge (or lack of 6. Finally, this knowledge (or lack of knowledge) must be related to our knowledge) must be related to our particular patient's circumstance and particular patient's circumstance and discussed with the patient to determine discussed with the patient to determine their preferences. their preferences.

Step 6. Encourage active learningStep 6. Encourage active learning

Problem-based learning:Problem-based learning:

- an instructional method that challenges - an instructional method that challenges students to "learn to learn," working students to "learn to learn," working cooperatively in groupscooperatively in groups to seek solutions to to seek solutions to real world problems.real world problems.

- An approach to learning grounded in - An approach to learning grounded in cognitively based learning theories in which cognitively based learning theories in which teachers encourage students to learn by teachers encourage students to learn by actively engagingactively engaging them in instructional them in instructional strategies that focus on strategies that focus on problem-solvingproblem-solving..

Step 6. Encourage active learningStep 6. Encourage active learning

Step 7. Facilitate and plan to Step 7. Facilitate and plan to encourage use by the learnerencourage use by the learner

Make the Website Accessible and Make the Website Accessible and User-friendlyUser-friendly::

- place links to the course- place links to the course - periodically email residents the link- periodically email residents the link - adhere to guideline for attractive - adhere to guideline for attractive

and usable websitesand usable websites - avoid passwords- avoid passwords Provide Time for LearningProvide Time for Learning : :

Motivate and RemindMotivate and Remind : : - pre-test(highlight learning needs)- pre-test(highlight learning needs) - case-based problems(emphasize - case-based problems(emphasize

relevance of what they are learning)relevance of what they are learning) - self assessment and feedback(provide a - self assessment and feedback(provide a

positive affective experience)positive affective experience) - post-test with answers and individualized - post-test with answers and individualized

feedback(reinforce learning)feedback(reinforce learning) - periodic email reminders- periodic email reminders

Step 8. Evaluate-both learners Step 8. Evaluate-both learners and courseand course

Assess learners:Assess learners: - self-assessment questions with feedbac- self-assessment questions with feedbac

k(formative assessment) during coursek(formative assessment) during course - post-test with feedback(formative and s- post-test with feedback(formative and s

ummative assessment;via WebCT)ummative assessment;via WebCT) - chart audit in six months to see if behavi- chart audit in six months to see if behavi

or changesor changes

Evaluate the courseEvaluate the course

- development:time required, resources used- development:time required, resources used

- use:rate of completion and ongoing use- use:rate of completion and ongoing use

- objectives:- objectives:

effect on achievement-learner test scoreseffect on achievement-learner test scores

effect on behavior-chart audit in six monthseffect on behavior-chart audit in six months

- student perceptions and suggestions-post-- student perceptions and suggestions-post-module survey module survey

Step 8. Evaluate-both learners Step 8. Evaluate-both learners and courseand course

Step 9. Pilot the website before Step 9. Pilot the website before full implementation full implementation

First pilot-informal presentation of First pilot-informal presentation of screen “mock up” to get feedbackscreen “mock up” to get feedback

Second pilot-”usability testing” Second pilot-”usability testing”

Step 10. Plan to monitor and maintain siteStep 10. Plan to monitor and maintain site

resolving technical problems resolving technical problems Test periodically all hyperlinksTest periodically all hyperlinks regularly updating contentregularly updating content

ConclusionConclusion

Teaching on the Web involves more Teaching on the Web involves more than putting together a colorful than putting together a colorful webpage. webpage.

By consistently employing principles By consistently employing principles of effective learning. of effective learning.