1	ISRD Expert Design Method Instructional Systems Research & Development, inc. Fredericksburg, Virginia www.ISRD.com
2	Outline Background & Purpose Success Factors Expert Design Process Using the Method
3	Background & Purpose “Applied Cognitive Research as the Basis for a Courseware Designer Support Tool”
4	Background & Purpose Basis in Research The basis of this method is a study sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, Division of Cognitive, Neural and Social Research. Purpose of the Study To address the need for more use of instructional design methods and learning research by military training organizations To provide a research-based instructional design tool for use by entire courseware teams To assist subject-matter experts (SMEs), media artists, instructors, and other team members with the use of instructional design methods
5	Background & Purpose Study Procedure 25 expert instructional designers were involved in the study Initial interviews to identify the favored methods of instructional design A series of three ‘try-outs’ with small groups of expert designers and SMEs Definition and elaboration of a model of expert practice Development of a method (a ‘taxonomy’), and a software tool to support the use of the method in the field
6	Background & Purpose Results – the study: Revealed Success Factors of expert designers Revealed a common expert process that includes the construction of rapid prototypes, and the opportunistic use of key instructional design activities. Provided expert recommendations for the use of 10 research-based instructional strategies for courseware.
7	Background & Purpose Based on the results: A model of the expert courseware design process was created, tested and refined through 3 try-outs. Over 100 detailed instructional design sub-processes were identified and analyzed. Worksheets were created as job-aids to help team members with each sub-process.
8	Success Factors “How expert designers build effective courseware”
9	Success Factors Of Expert Designers Follow a combination linear and non-linear design process Do most important things first Identify logical sequence of design activities Follow that sequence when that is best Change the sequence when that is best Be opportunistic in adjusting designs Treat design as a discovery process Take creative opportunities where possible Adjust to shifting priorities, needs, and opportunities
10	Success Factors Of Expert Designers Use rapid prototypes early and often Build mock-ups and conceptual models Try-out the ideas with an integrated team Build working prototype modules Continue to prototype major new design ideas Maintain a balanced design perspective Always keep your eye on the objectives and requirements Review emerging course designs from strategic perspective Review emerging units, lessons and frames from tactical perspectives Create lessons that both work well as lessons, and contribute to the overall course goals
11	Success Factors Of Expert Designers Continually build design knowledge Design literacy Reflective practice Use of learning psychology Enhance design skills when needed Build and enhance basic design skills of team members Build library of design resources Utilize performance support tools Use well-targeted instructional design tasks Draw from a resource of commonly-used design task such as requirements definition, needs analysis, learner analysis, etc. Use only those design tasks useful for the project
12	Success Factors Of Expert Designers Use proven instructional strategies Expert designers re-use proven instructional strategies where possible When creating new strategies, they follow learning theory and research, and borrow from proven strategies They select an instructional strategy based on weighing the particulars of the design, the type of learners, topics, objectives, motivation issues, etc. Use of most of the ‘proven’ instructional strategies is not trivial, they often require some creativity, competent writing, and a knowledge of ‘what works’ for that particular strategy.
13	Expert Design Process “A combination of rapid prototyping and opportunistic application of key design tasks”
14	Expert Design Process Based on the Success Factors identified in the study A human process that is both creative and disciplined, a type of engineering cycle Designed to facilitate use of the best instructional strategies for courseware A design cycle forms the heart of the process The main design process is initially a rapid prototype environment, followed by a design, production and review cycle Inputs are the results of critical design tasks, by the designer, and team members Outputs are the courseware elements – Course, units, lessons, frames.
15	Expert Design Process
16	Expert Design Process The Courseware Design Cycle is the core of the process, providing a rapid prototyping environment.
17	Courseware Design Cycle Design teams that follow this process are able to addresses the complexities of courseware. This rapid prototyping approach is necessary because courseware is usually unprecedented. As the courseware becomes defined, the project takes on more of a waterfall structure, with fewer prototypes needed
18	Courseware Design Cycle Instructional Concept – a description of the course, based on several key design tasks Prototype Lesson – an initial working lesson Courseware Designs – design of individual lessons and frames Courseware Production – the production of the lessons, based on design documents Support – ongoing customer support, new version releases
19	Critical Design Tasks Critical Design Tasks are instructional design tasks needed to create a system that accomplishes the course requirements
20	Critical Design Tasks Scoping Product Definition (For commercial, education, or training) Performance Requirements (4 steps, working with SMEs) Training Needs (6 steps, with data collection/analysis) Analysis Task Analysis (5 steps, with data collection/analysis) Learning Objectives (7 steps, with objective matrix) Learner Analysis (7 steps, with profiling by sub-group) Design Instructional Strategy (10 strategies for courseware) Knowledge Organization (create knowledge dictionary) Course Plan (select lesson types based on 10 strategies)
21	Critical Design Tasks Development Content Development (lesson segments for 10 strategies) Visual Design (a method for visual design goal specification) Production Support (design docs for 10 strategies) Implementation Roll-out Documents (installation, support documentation) Evaluation Try-outs and Evaluations (6 types of reviews supported)
22	Designer and Team Designer Knowledge helps team members understand how to apply learning psychology effectively Designer Skills are important for conducting the design tasks Product Team integration helps ensure a ‘concurrent engineering’ approach to solving design problems early
23	Designer and Team Knowledge of how to apply learning research Learning Strategies 17 Key research findings such as attention and motivation, building expertise, complex skill performance, learning styles, role of feedback, and role of emotions in learning Research findings must be designed into course content, following instructional strategies Memory Strategies 14 Key research-based memory strategies and issues such as Includes building automatic memory, use of mnemonics, chunking, rehearsal strategies, short vs. long-term memory, etc. Memory strategies must also be embedded in course content, following Instructional Strategies
24	Designer and Team Skills required for design tasks Data analysis Flow-charting Conducting interviews (for gathering info) Literature and documentation review Planning and conducting meetings Procedural walk-throughs (for task analysis) Project management (includes configuration control) Role-playing exercises (for script-writing) Conducting surveys Instructional writing
25	Designer and Team The design, or product team is a diverse group of people, with subject-matter experts (SMEs), designers, customers, managers, media producers, and others. Staffing – Determining roles of team members, mix of team skills and experience, and selecting the team Project Planning - Includes a full list of tasks for the project, as well as a schedule for the product team Management Planning – Plan for issues likely to emerge in the project, and give a basis for administration of the project Organizational Issues - Constructing a team charter, and developing policies for the team
26	Using the Method “Helping ordinary courseware product teams apply practices of expert instructional designers”
27	How ISRD Helps Overview of the method customized for the courseware project team Individualized team member support Presentation on the team member’s project role Worksheets detail sub-tasks specific to that team member Job aids, task descriptions, examples, and template outlines Support for 10 powerful instructional strategies for courseware
28	Team Support Team roles supported SME Instructor / Trainer Writer (also editors) Media Artists (graphics, sound, animation) Programmers (users of authoring tools) Instructional Designers (novice or experienced) Mangers (planning, budget, administration, project supervisors) Evaluators (reviewers) Customer (or end-user) Representatives
29	Instructional Strategies Method supports 10 highly effective, research-proven instructional approaches for courseware Intelligent or Adaptive tutoring Procedural facilitation Simulation (soft or hard) Performance support system Apprenticeship (mentoring) Scenario-based (case-based goal-based) Story-based (role-playing) Game-based Interactive video Presentation-based Some of these strategies may be combined Most of these strategies provide a realistic context, increasing motivation and improving transfer
30	Software Support Tool CDST software to assist with design process management (separate product) All worksheets and job aids embedded Design data tracking Design reports Rapid prototyping environment Embedded training & advisor function Multi-user capability (may require some customization to LAN)
31	Benefits Guidance based on the practices of expert courseware designers helps teams create effective courseware. Use of expert practices helps teams implement powerful and creative instructional strategies Helps keep process organized Provides a framework for design and development standard operating procedures (SOP) Helps all team members develop skills and knowledge needed to accomplish critical design tasks, follow a rapid prototyping cycle, and productively contribute to courseware development projects.
32	More Information For more information www.isrd.com Or contact Kurt Rowley Kurt@isrd.com (540) 286-3642