Module Creation Process

I've begun making a preliminary outline of the module creation process. Some of the steps include the making of the pilot, which (as I mention in my outline) are mentioned for background purposes but will be taken out of the finished product. I started off filling in the pieces using the ADDIE Model...taking into consideration the Gerlach & Ely Model which I really like. I could definitely use that model as a reference as I create my own. So here's what I have so far!

The Productive Researcher Module Creation Outline

Thinking about it in terms of the ADDIE Model so far, below is what was the process is to create modules. The process will be different from the actual model, because steps that were taken in the pilot do not have to be replicated in the future development of modules.

ADDIE

Needs Assessment/ Front end analysis

Design

Development

Implementation

Evaluation

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Needs Assessment

• Determine contributors and what they will do(depends on skills, ie. web development, content provider, etc.)

• Meetings with writing instructors to determine their needs since the in person sessions were being replaced by online tutorials

• The Writing Program created a survey and distributed it to the instructors to gain feedback.

• Important to keep in mind that the Writing Program did not ask for the tutorials to be created, their creation was mandated from top down--created in order to replace face to face instruction.

*Findings from Needs Assessment--

• Main point instructors wanted the tutorials to focus on was help using the databases.

• Students said they don't like quizzes included in tutorials, so they weren't included.

*Decisions based on findings--

• Decided to focus on tutorials on help understanding databases

• Since the modules were based on the Productive Researcher Lesson Plan for WRT 105, that plan was built upon for the creation of the tutorials.

Communication

• A huge part of the process--the group who created the modules referred back to each other throughout the entire process *Important to depict in model how communication is an essential and on-going process in a group creating modules.
  

Development of Project Plan for Pilot (Pilot plan is included for background *for now* will not be included in the final model)

Establish learning outcomes

• Identify content to be included in Pilot module
• Identify pedagogical approaches to be incorporated into Pilot module

Design and testing of Pilot

• *Created using feedback from Writing Program Instructors, and the WRT 105 Productive Researcher Lesson Plan
• Content was originally presented in the form of PowerPoint slides (Story board)
• A script was created that would accompany the module
• Determine what tool to use to create the module--Camtasia was/is used
• Editing
• Produce in various formats

Design of the Modules (almost the same as the Pilot--but the Pilot's description will not be included in the final model)

• Determine time to dedicate to creation of tutorials
• Determine the media
• Determine the content

Development-- (more to development)

- One staff member in charge of a (a certain task) section of creating the module, not for one module in its entirety

- One staff member created the web pages w/ text and images

- One staff member wrote up the audio script and created the screen casts

- Two staff members determined the learning outcomes/objectives

Implementation

• The tutorials are currently online, linked from a number of locations on the Library's website
• Library staff are not aware if instructors are requiring their classes to watch the tutorials-the hope is that they are
  

Evaluation

• One question has been included in the course evaluations regarding the Productive Researchers online Tutorials in order to solicit student feedback.
• The web page which houses the tutorials is being monitored--use is monitored by Google Analytics
• There is a feedback survey on the web page also
• There was a second assessment conducted with ORIA, using 4 to 6 classes from the Writing Program (will retrieve those results)
  

Aspects of on going maintenance--

• Reflective exercises are included
• Planned updates
• Tutorial responsibility--Learning Commons
• New topics
• Offer instructor continual support
• Provide continual support for WRT Program instructors who are teaching the tutorials to their students

More to come...