The Goal & Structure of Textbook
Jan 11, 2016
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 .