Selecting Delivery Systems and Media to Facilitate Blended Learning: A Systematic Process based on Skill Level, Content Stability, Cost and Instructional Strategy
Atsusi Hirumi
Abstract
Like others, the US Army, is examining the use of emerging instructional technologies, such as but not limited to blended learning (BL) to optimize training. The problem is there are neither established formulas nor published algorithms for determining which aspects of a course to put online and to administer face-to-face (f2f) to facilitate blended learning. To address the problem, a team of Instructional Designers examined existing training and formulated, tested, refined and transferred a process for analyzing and nominating specific aspects of military intelligence (MI) coursework for either residential (f2f) and/or distributed (online) delivery.
The resulting process consisted of three basic stages that addressed five primary questions: Stage I – Basic Instructional Mode Selection. “What aspects of a course should be nominated for blended learning, conventional classroom learning, or distance learning?” Stage IIa – Primary Distance Learning Delivery System Selection. “For those aspects nominated for Distance Learning, what primary system should be used to deliver the contents?” Stage IIb – Primary Face-to-Face Instructional Setting Selection. “For those aspects nominated for Face-to-Face instruction, what primary settings should be used to deliver the contents?” Stage IIIa – Instructional Strategy Selection. “What instructional strategy should be used to design and deliver the coursework?” Stage IIIb – Media and Communication Tool Selection. “What specific media and telecommunications tools should be used to facilitate Distance Learning, Face-to-Face instruction, and Blended Learning coursework?”
The process seeks to optimize training by addressing (a) basic skills and knowledge through the use of distributed learning technologies, and (b) higher order thinking skills in conventional, face-to-face classroom settings. Three additional factors were considered for making media selection decisions including cost, stability and instructional strategy.
Keywords: Media Selection, Blended Learning, Hybrid Training,
Introduction
Since 9/11, training requirements for United States Army Intelligence (AI), like other branches of the military, have increased exponentially. However, the time available to prepare MI soldiers for active duty has either decreased or remained the same. To address this challenge, the US Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) turned to technology-based training solutions, including but not limited to blended learning.
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Blended learning (BL) combines the engaging benefits of traditional instructor led training with the advantages brought by the use of a variety of technologies to create optimum learning programs (Alvarez, 2005). Seen as a natural evolution of instruction methods, the approach has been found to enhance student learning and reduce attrition rates in higher education (Dzuiban, Hartman, & Moskal, 2004) and is replacing e-learning in corporate settings (Bersin & Associates, 2003).
The problem is there are no universally recognized formulas, algorithms or ratios for blending the design of a course or training program. Different models and case studies have been published for facilitating BL (c.f., Bonk & Graham, 2006), but it appears that there are no replicable guidelines for determining which specific aspects of a course to put online and what to administer face-to-face (f2f) to facilitate BL. Indeed, every organization approaches BL in their own particular way.
To facilitate BL at USAICoE, a team of five experts in Instructional Design and Technology developed a systematic process for analyzing MI coursework and nominating specific aspects of MI coursework for f2f, distributed and blended learning. The analyses included critical examinations of existing course information, lesson plans and lesson materials, and discussions with USAICoE personnel. The resulting process was established, tested and refined as the team conducted the analyses in three iterative phases. Initially, team members analyzed one course together to first establish the BL media selection process. Team members than analyzed four courses individually to test the process and discussed results and shared insights to improve the process. Four additional courses were analyzed by individual team members to refine the process. Throughout the development, testing and refinement of the process, two members of the team reviewed all analyses for consistency across courses. Staff members at USAICoE were then trained to apply the process, make additional refinements, and facilitate transfer.
The resulting process consisted of three basic stages that addressed five primary questions, including: Stage I – Basic Instructional Mode Selection. “What aspects of a course should be nominated for blended learning (BL), conventional classroom learning (f2f), or distance learning (dL)?” Stage IIa – Primary dL Delivery System Selection. “For those aspects nominated for dL, what primary system should be used to deliver the contents?” Stage IIb – Primary F2F Instructional Setting Selection. “For those aspects nominated for f2f instruction, what primary settings should be used to deliver the contents?” Stage IIIa – Instructional Strategy Selection. “What instructional strategy should be used to design and deliver the coursework?” Stage IIIb – Media and Communication Tool Selection. “What specific media and telecommunications tools should be used to facilitate dL, f2f and BL coursework?”
This article documents the application of the BL Media Selection Process to enable readers to analyze and formulate f2f, dL and BL nominations for their own training programs and coursework. First, we list seven assumptions that guided the development, implementation, testing and refinement of the BL media selection process. We then describe each stage, detailing the application of the process, including charts that illustrate the flow of media selection questions and decisions, and a template for reporting the analyses of coursework. We conclude by discussing the qualification and preparation of those who may be asked to apply the process.
Assumptions
The development, testing and refinement of the BL media selection process were based on the following assumptions:
1. “Official” time will be allocated for both active and reserve soldiers to complete dL components of a course, whether that is prior to or during the course.
2. Learning may be viewed hierarchically. High-order skills involving application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation, often require knowledge and comprehension of basic facts, concepts, principles and procedures.
3. dL technologies may be used to facilitate learning of higher-order thinking skills. However, USAICOE currently does not have the resources necessary to assign an expert/instructor to facilitate dL lessons. Thus, for this initiative, dL nominations are self-instructional.
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4. When produced, dL nominations will be created as sharable content objects (SCO’s) based on SCORM standards currently in use by the DoD.
5. Instructional design is more important (accounting for greater variance in learner attitudes and performance) than instructional media. In other words, lesson and course design affects learner attitudes and performance more than that use of different media (Clark, 1994; Salomon, 1979).
6. There is no one "best" media for teaching and learning and not all media can facilitate specific instructional methods with equal cost and/or effectiveness.
7. Individuals tasked with conducting course analyses for BL (hereby referred to as BL course designers or BL designers) have working knowledge of the systematic approach to training (SAT) and key principles of instructional design.
Systematic BL Media Selection Process
Flowcharts illustrate Stages I-III, including guiding questions and key decisions for formulating f2f or dL course nominations. In short, Stage I helps determine the basic instructional mode: In other words, whether lessons or parts of lessons within a course should be facilitated in residence (f2f) or online (dL). Stage II flowcharts help determine the primary instructional delivery system for dL and the primary instructional setting for f2f lessons. Stage III flowcharts define the instructional strategy, specific media (e.g., audio, video, text or graphics) and telecommunication tools (e.g., electronic bulletin boards, podcasts, static or interactive web pages) that should be used to facilitate learning in either a dL or f2f environment. After Stage III questions and decisions have been made, course designers are encouraged to compile all the results into a course analysis report, described at the end of this section of the article.
Two aspects of the BL media selection process posited by this study require qualification before describing and applying the process. First, Stage I of the media selection process nominates lessons or portions of lessons that address higher-order thinking skills for f2f training (rather than dL). As such, dL lessons that address higher-order thinking skills do not follow the logical sequence of decisions posed in process. Although it is assumed that dL technologies may be used to facilitate learning of higher-order thinking skills, the fundamental approach taken in this initiative focuses on optimizing residential training by addressing basic skills and knowledge in a dL format and higher order thinking skills and complex procedures in a f2f format. Thus, when analyzing courses containing dL lessons that address higher-order thinking skills, BL designers have at least three choices, they may decide (a