The Goal & Structure of Textbook

Chapter 6

Topics(learning objects, Modules)

Example

• http://kcvs.ca/map/meltp/edit_content/explainit/map_menu.html

What are they

• A topic is the lowest-level leaning object in a course.

• Each topic accomplishes one learning object and accomplishes it fully

• Typically, a topic requires a combination Absorb, Do, and Connect activities.

Anatomy of a topic

A simple topic

A more complex example

Overview (intro)

Before (background info)

Show me (Demo)

Coach me (guided practice)

This should be a number between0-500

Let me (practice without assistance)

After (verify learning, summary & link to future)

Elements of a topic

1- Title

• Title is crucial (the name you choose for your topic is important)

• Base the title on the objective (Create=build, Decide=Pick, Do=drag&drop, Believe=why)

• Compose a meaningful title

Compose a meaningful title

• Distinct (distinguished from other topics)• Context-free Avoid “Setting American flag as your Powerpoint background” Use “Setting up your Powerpoint background”

• Understandable (avoid jargon or unfamiliar topics)• Scannable (Change “how you can make friends” to

“making friends” -put the important keywords first)• Thematic (can predict the content and the objective)• Motivational (Change “filling the form 3407” to

“reducing bank fraud”)

2- Introduction

• Not always needed (if the topic is introduced by a previous topic)

• Base the introduction on the type of objective• Design a good introduction

Design a good introduction

3- Test learning in the topic

4- learning activities

5- Summarize the topic

• Include a real summary (don’t repeat the objectives)

• You may combine overview and summary• Base the summary on the type of learning

objective

6- Link to related material

• Make it easy for learners to read related topics and materials

• Use links rather than including the information in your topic.

Link to what?

What other information may help the learners?

Explain the step

Limit free-form hyperlinks

• free-form hyperlinks are hierarchical. Also known as nested links would confuse learners

• Instead of providing a search tool, suggest “search terms” to learners to find further info.

• Use metadata- Meta data are descriptive labels that the designers use to facilitate searching topics by learners

• Two metadata items are specially important ; Keywords and descriptions

Hyperlink examples

• Bad example• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle

• Good Example• http://

www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/ethics.php

Design components logically

Design reusable topics

• Reusable objects are like recipe cards.• They are self contained and complete• They don’t mix too many information or stray

from the subject• They follow a consistent format

Design consistent topics

In developing your topics , standardize;• Visual appearance• Navigation schemes• Instructional strategies• Testing approaches

Integrate Foreign Modules

• You may just make link• However, content developed by someone else

following different standards will be confusing• The docking module helps the foreign module

fit into your course in a smooth transition

Docking Module Example

Docking Module Example

YoutubeZebrazappsFlash

What to include in a docking module

What to include in a docking module

Players, Plugins, Add ins, Cookies, Browsers

Templates for topics

• Page 319-322 provides templates for 6 types of learning objectives

• Create• Decide• Do• Know• Believe• feell

In class activity• Use one of the templates at the end of chapter 6 to create a learning

object (topic).

1- In order to do so you need to create a webpage. 2- Your topic should have the following features

– Title– Introduction (goal)– Content (absorb activity)– Summary– Connect Activity– Do Activity– Guided activity (coach me)– Links to (background theory or basic rules, prerequisites, definitions,

exceptions, details)– Foreign modules (Docking module)

3- Read and implement the criteria for each of the above elements from the textbook or my Powerpoint .