LRNT 527 – U3 Activity 1 – The Test Phase

Our team chose to use the LRNT 527 assignment 2 evaluation criteria as our evaluation criteria for activity 1. In addition to using the evaluation criteria to evaluate digital learning resources, this also allows us to also evaluate the evaluation criteria that the course uses, assessing support in the literature for the evaluation criteria used in assignment 2.

The following evaluation criteria, taken from the LRNT 527 assignment 2 description (Royal Roads University, 2018) are being considered.

Design of Digital Learning Resource

The design approach used clearly aligns with a variety of learning theories and instructional design principles that are appropriate for the identified audience (Evans, 2014), context, and learning goals (Leacock, 2007). The digital learning resource is well organized (Akpinar, 2009) with clear descriptions (Hadjerrouit, 2010) of the required activities. Information that is presented covers the stated learning goals (Leacock, 2007). Uses effective and engaging methods to measure achievement of the intended learning goals (Hadjerrouit, 2010).

All of these points were easily supported by the literature.

Interactivity of Digital Learning Resource

Includes innovative and highly effective student-to-student, student-to-instructor, and student-to-content interaction (Anderson, 2008; Hadjerrouit, 2010). The material is easy and intuitive to navigate; buttons and other common elements are consistent in their style, placement, and function and help to create a positive learning experience (Akpinar, 2009).

Ease-of-use and interactivity are commonly stressed in the literature.

Digital Technology Used

Appropriate digital technology tools are strategically applied to broaden understanding and help learners relate more effectively to each other and to the content. Clear instructions and support for digital technologies is readily available and accessible (Kay, 2007).

I found this section more subjective than the others and found it harder to find supporting literature. Kouprie (2009) discusses the importance of making learning meaningful to the users, so perhaps this is what is meant by “help learners relate more effectively”.

Formatting, Presentation, and Organization of Digital Learning Resource

The digital learning resource is very well formatted and mechanically correct (Akpinar, 2009). Content flows seamlessly and intuitively, without technical issues (Akpinar, 2009), free of grammatical and typing errors (Leacock, 2007). The content and all embedded media is fully compliant with copyright laws, and all cited material is properly attributed.

I have dropped the part on copyright since it is not related to learning. Citing materials properly is important since it allows users to check sources and learn more by further exploring ideas. The other points are all covered by the literature.

References

Akpinar, Y. (2009). validation of a learning object Review Instrument: Relationship between Ratings of learning objects and Actual learning outcomes. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 4, 291-302.

Anderson, T. (2008). Chapter 2: Towards a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson (Ed.), The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed., pp. 45-74). Edmonton: AU Press.

Evans, R. (2014). Cooking up cauldron content: Recipes for video tutorials. Computers in  Libraries, 34(7), 11-5.

Hadjerrouit, S. (2010). A conceptual framework for using and evaluating web-based learning resources in school education. Journal of Information Technology Education, 9, 53-79.

Kay, R., & Knaack, L. (2008). Evaluating the learning in learning objects. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, 22(1), 5-28.

Kouprie, M., & Visser, F. S. (2009). A framework for empathy in design: Stepping into and out of the user’s life. Journal of Engineering Design, 20(5), 437-448.

Leacock, T. L., & Nesbit, J. C. (2007). A framework for evaluating the quality of multimedia learning resources. Educational Technology & Society, 10(2) 44-59.

Royal Roads University. (2018). LRNT 527 Assignment 2 Description. Retrieved from https://malat-coursesite.royalroads.ca/lrnt527/assessment/assignment-2/