Instructional Design

Aura Interactiva has a well proven and documented instructional approach. Even though this approach is based on several sources and research, one of the most significant sources is Dr. Ruth Clark, a well known expert in instructional design. For further information, visit: www.clarktraining.com

Aura Interactiva has included, as part of its instructional design approach, the latest research on instructional design and learning theories. Some of the most significant Aura research sources include:

  Roger Schank, Director of the Learning Science Institute, Northwestern University (Learn by Doing).

  David Merrill, Professor for the Instructional Design Department, Utah State University and Director of the ID2 Research Group (Learning Object-Based Instructional Design).

Our courses are designed based on a deep knowledge on how human beings learn, particularly adults. The main components of our educational model are described as follows:

ADULT LEARNING:
The design of all Aura courses is based on key adult learning principles (andragogy).

  Student Motivation:
Adults feel motivated to study and achieve their goals. Aura courses are focused on helping students achieve their daily goals at work.

  Orientation:
Adult learning should be targeted at problems faced by students in their daily job activities. Aura learning architecture is very practical and is based on problem-based learning.

  Experience:
Adults start their learning process with their own experiences, and this is the most valuable asset in adult teaching. Aura courses use an architecture based on experience-based learning.

LEARNING BY DOING

Research has shown that human beings learn by doing. Aura Interactiva develops courses based on an exploration architecture which is based on what is referred to as constructivist learning. Constructivists assume that students build their knowledge, and that this is a unique process in each case. Exploration architecture provides students with a maximum control.

TRADITIONAL COGNITIVE APPROACHES

In the last 20 years, research on cognitive instructional approaches have developed more effective training systems. Aura Interactiva has included these approaches in its learning architecture, which has the following elements:

  Cognitive processes during the learning process.
  Working memory and long-run memory.
  Cognitive load management during the training.
  Instructional strategies to code knowledge in the long-run memory.
  Transfer of knowledge into daily job tasks.

Collaboration:
Collaboration facilitates the learning process by allowing students interact with another human being in real time, a customized learning experience and with specific answers to student questions. Aura has a technological infrastructure (Learning Management System) that allows students discuss new ideas or what they have learned with other people. Students can use a wide variety of collaboration approaches (live seminars, mentor interaction, and discussion forums, among others).

MODEL OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

This model has been designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Use the most advanced learning concepts and theories to develop effective learning experiences that will certify students in the proposed curriculum.

2. Take full advantage of information technologies to support the learning process.

  Learning Theories

Human beings learn through their experiences and the interpretation of such experiences based on their knowledge. Learning takes place precisely when we think and reflect upon our experiences. Therefore, learning is a process to find meaning in our own experiences. This learning philosophy is referred to as constructivism.

Constructivism assumes that knowledge is not conveyed but built. Individuals give meaning to their world and to everything around them by building their own representations or models of their experiences. The construction of knowledge is a natural process. When people deal with something they do not know about, their natural inclination is to reconcile this experience with what they already know to determine its meaning.

The constructivist approach points out that knowledge cannot be simply transferred from the teacher to the student. Constructivism is based on the fact that teaching is the process to help students construct the meaning of their own experiences by providing experiences and guide them through the process to find their meaning.

At all levels, our basic premise should be to engage students in a more meaningful learning that takes place when students think, learn by doing, and build their knowledge by actively creating meaning. The latest research has shown that the constructivist model offers the most suitable approaches for an effective learning model.

  Technology to support learning

The most productive and meaningful use of technology is not the traditional use, only as information transfer tools, but as thinking and knowledge building tools. Our proposal is that students cannot learn directly from teachers or technologies, but that they learn through their own thinking processes.

Traditionally, technologies have been used to convey information to students, with the hope to make them learn. This is based on the assumption that students learn from technology and from listening to a class taught by an instructor. This vision assumes that knowledge can be transferred from the instructor to the student and that knowledge can be packed within the technology and be conveyed to the student.

We believe that students cannot learn from teachers or technologies directly, but that students learn from these sources indirectly when they think. That is, thinking produces learning and not the passive transfer or absorption of information. Therefore, teachers or technologies should be used not to convey information but to make students think. The main issue is that the role played by teachers and technologies is indirect: they should encourage and support activities that make students think.

For a full advantage of technologies and the highest value added in this project, our goal when using technologies will be to support significant learning. We should use technologies to engage students in active, constructive, authentic, and cooperative learning. Students should use technologies to represent what they know and to teach themselves. We will not use technology only as a tool to convey information but to engage students and facilitate thinking and knowledge building.

  Elements of Instructional Design

Our instructional design seeks to transform traditional courses in learning experiences that contain a wide variety of integrated and complementary learning strategies. These strategies use a wide range of tools ranging from a textbook to online multimedia learning experiences (audio, images, and animation).

Furthermore, all the elements available in a technological platform (chat rooms, forums, etc.) are used so that students can participate in collaborative learning activities that will enrich their learning experience and will encourage them to explore their learning community and all the resources available on the Internet.

LEARNING STYLES

The learning model has been built on four different learning styles: Learn by Exploring, Learn by Doing, Learn by Collaborating, and Learn by Reflecting.

  Learn by Exploring

The learn-by-exploring style helps students by giving them access to key learning information. With this style, students explore concepts and theories covered in the course. To promote interaction and engage students in the learning process, questions, exploration projects, and exercises are included.

  Learn by Doing

The learn-by-doing style gives students the opportunity to use their knowledge in an environment that simulates problems, situations, and contexts from real life. This approach provides a safe and comfortable environment so that students think about the knowledge they are building.

  Learn by Collaborating

The learn-by-collaborating style helps students discuss new ideas and knowledge with other people. Students can use a wide variety of approaches to collaborate through new available information technologies. Collaboration helps the learning process by providing real-time interaction with other people, a customized learning experience, and specific support to meet the needs of each student.

  Learn by Reflecting

The learn-by-reflecting style helps students articulate and represent everything they have learned. Therefore, technologies are used as knowledge-building tools to improve student skills to build knowledge.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STANDARDS:

Aura Interactiva has incorporated instructional design standards developed by ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) (www.astd.org) in its development process to assess the quality of online courses. Some criteria are as follows:

  Communicate purpose:

As part of the learning objectives, courses seek to inform students about what they will be able to do after the training.

  Require application:

Learning objectives require students to use their new knowledge and skills within a context characterized by problems, situations, or tasks similar to those faced by students at work.

  Catch the attention and keep the interest:

Instruction should use suitable techniques to catch the attention and keep the interest of students.

  Keep the motivation:

Instruction should use strategies to engage students and keep them motivated throughout the course.

  Promote relevant knowledge:

Instructional techniques should use student knowledge as a foundation for new learning and to provide relevant experiences to acquire new knowledge.

  Show examples and demonstrations:

Training presents examples and demonstrations of what should be learned.

  Provide a practical application:

Activities are related to learning objectives.

  Give feedback:

Students will receive a complete and specific feedback on their performance on learning activities.

  Learning evaluation:

The course will provide valid and reliable evaluations on student performance.

If you need further information on this topic and Aura e-Learning solutions, please contact us.