The landscape of online education is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and shifting learner needs. The Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Saskatchewan provides invaluable insights into effective instructional design, online teaching tools, and best practices for enhancing learning experiences. This synthesis explores key concepts, tools, and strategies that can empower educators and learners alike.
Interactive Learning Through Knowledge Checks
Incorporating knowledge checks within online learning platforms, such as Canvas, serves as an effective strategy to foster active engagement among learners. These checks can be simple self-assessment questions that encourage learners to reflect on their understanding before proceeding with the material. The goal is to transform learners from passive recipients of information into active participants in their learning journey.
Implementing informal assessments, such as knowledge checks, can help learners gauge their understanding of the material. These assessments are typically ungraded and do not contribute to formal evaluations, thus reducing anxiety and promoting a more relaxed learning environment. An effective method involves creating buttons that trigger pop-up dialog boxes within Canvas pages. This technique allows learners to receive immediate feedback without navigating away from the content they are studying.
Steps to Create a Button and Dialog Box in Canvas
To integrate a simple dialog box into a Canvas page, educators can follow these steps:
Upon clicking the button, a dialog box will appear, providing learners with an opportunity to engage with the content actively. This immediate feedback mechanism enhances the learning experience by allowing students to verify their understanding in real-time.
Enhancing Engagement with Multiple Buttons
For those looking to include multiple knowledge checks on a single page, it is essential to label each button and dialog distinctly. This can be achieved by repeating the code snippet for each button while ensuring that each instance is uniquely identified. Additionally, educators can style the dialog boxes to make them visually distinct, thus improving the overall user experience.
Exploring Interactive eLearning Elements
Interactive eLearning is pivotal in creating engaging online training programs. Traditional methods, such as passive PowerPoint presentations, often lead to disengagement. By integrating interactive elements, such as simulations, scenario-based learning, and gamification, educators can significantly enhance learner participation.
Simulations and Scenario-Based Learning
Simulations place learners in realistic scenarios, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a controlled environment. For instance, the airline industry utilizes simulation training to prepare pilots for various scenarios, including adverse weather conditions and onboard emergencies. This approach not only reduces risks but also provides a cost-effective training method.
Story-Based eLearning
Incorporating storytelling into eLearning helps create emotional connections with the material. Stories can be delivered through various formats, such as narrative texts or character-based dialogues, to achieve specific learning outcomes. This method resonates well with learners, as it encourages them to reflect on the material and apply it to real-world situations.
Gamified eLearning
Gamification introduces elements of gaming into educational contexts, making learning more enjoyable and engaging. By integrating points, badges, and leaderboards, educators can motivate learners to participate actively in their training. For example, Hilton Garden Inn’s “Ultimate Team Play” game immerses employees in a simulated hotel environment, teaching them about their roles and responsibilities.
Assessments and Quizzes
Assessments and quizzes are integral to online learning, serving as tools for both evaluation and reinforcement. While assessments provide a measure of learner understanding, quizzes can help review and reinforce key concepts. By incorporating interactive elements into quizzes, such as instant feedback and gamified assessments, educators can enhance learner engagement.
Adapting to Evolving Learner Engagement Techniques
As educational technologies continue to evolve, so do strategies for engaging learners. Techniques such as embedded videos in presentations and interactive PDFs are increasingly popular. These methods can be seamlessly integrated with traditional interactive elements to create a more comprehensive learning experience.
Conclusion
Enhancing online education requires a thoughtful approach to instructional design and the integration of interactive elements. By implementing knowledge checks, simulations, storytelling, gamification, and effective assessments, educators can create engaging and meaningful learning experiences. The insights provided by the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning are invaluable for educators seeking to innovate their teaching practices and foster a more interactive learning environment.
- Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning. (2022). Create a Button and Dialog Box in Canvas Pages with this HTML Trick. Retrieved from https://sites.usask.ca/edtech/2022/06/28/create-a-button-and-dialog-box-in-canvas-pages-with-this-html-trick-2/
- ELM Learning. (2022). How to Create Well-Designed Interactive eLearning. Retrieved from https://elmlearning.com/blog/design-interactive-elearning/
- Leigh, E., Shepherd, I., Davies, A., & Tipton, E. (2023). A Roadmap to Simulation in Education. In M. Laura Angelini & R. Muñiz (Eds.), Simulation for Participatory Education. Springer. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-21011-2_2
