ETEC 561: Evaluating, Implementing and Managing Instructional Programs and Projects

One of my preferred methods is Gagne’s method of learning/evaluating instruction.

 

I have always considered the Gagne’s Model one of the most conscious, effective methods of evaluating instruction.  I recommended the Gagne’s model to an FLS (Functional Life Skills) instructor, in our district last semester.  The teacher was grateful and successful in her instruction with her students.  I am also, behavior students do very well with the following way of instructing them.  In his book “The Conditions of Learning”, he gave us nine events of instruction.  Here is how I place them in my classroom.

1.      Gain attention – ask questions

2.      Inform learner of objectives – describe the goal

3.      Stimulate recall of prior learning – relevant to the current lesson

4.      Present stimulus material – student’s prior knowledge relevant to the current lesson.  Include tests.

5.      Provide learner guidance – content is different from instructions

6.      Elicit performance – practice, apply knowledge

7.      Provide informative feedback – analyze learner’s behavior, present a step by step solution to the problem

8.      Assess performance – give general progress information

  9.      Enhance retention transfer – give information about similar situations, provide additional information, ask the learner to give information about the lesson or review the lesson

 

His focus is on behavior and the outcomes of behavior resulting from training.  In behavior, Gagne’s model is considered one of the most valuable for instructors and for learners.  My students need to have the instruction fitted for each one of them.  One for all is not the method in my classroom.  I need to apply to each of my student, my students are not for the instruction “one for all”.  I need to individualize, to make sure my students feel well with the instruction and that they are comfortable with their learning.  Each one has a different level of knowledge and I have to match it with my next lesson.  Gagne’s has saved learning in my classroom. Gagne’s 9 events of instruction is the most effective evaluation in my behavior classroom.

The ADDIE, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation, is the model used by instructional designers, developers of training, teachers, and professors.   There are different formats of the ADDIE, but in general it has those five phases.   

Analysis: When we are in the phase of analysis, we are presenting the goals and objectives, we consider the knowledge of the learner and the skills are identified.  I have to do this for each one of my students. Their level of knowledge is different and their mental ability is not equal nor compared with one another.

Design: When we are at the Design phase, we are dealing with learning objectives, exercises, and lesson planning and media selection if applicable in our case.  I have to implement the design phase with my students.  Cut-outs to media are my selection in order to apply this phase.

Development: When we come to the Development phase, we create storyboards, content and graphics, learning is involved.  Of course technologies, and eLearning, are created in this phase. 

Implementation: When we are at the implementation phase, here the training for the facilitator and the learner takes place.  In this phase we cover the course curriculum, learning outcomes, how it is delivered.

Evaluation:  This phase includes the formative and summative part.  When we look at the formative evaluation, it is present in all stages of ADDIE.  The summative evaluation is the test designed phase and also provides opportunities for feedback from the users.   

When I was asked by my Director to teach teachers reading, I pulled many experts to fulfill this professional development.  I gathered reading specialists, I was the Dyslexia specialist along with the developer/manager of the project.  At the same time most important for our students in Behavior Services are Psychologists as Licensed Specialists in School Psychology, to Speech pathologists and Technology gurus.  The Technology gurus, gave me the equipment to also 

demonstrate.   We all came together to develop the modules for reading, adapted to behavior-challenged and emotionally-disturbed children. We adapted a reading module for non-readers, to accommodate the student who is age appropriate but not literate.  I downloaded the Kindle app and the Learning Ally program to all the pads and laptops. The PD session provided the objectives and the content in conjunction with myself.  I placed the Dyslexia part as most of our students have characteristics of Dyslexia.  Reading for the Deaf and for the Blind was also added to all the technology devices with the applications for the specific program.  For the Deaf; Sign Language and for the Blind students, audio.  I made myself available to evaluate the part of the work which was ready for evaluation before added to the module.  I also arranged for the rewards.  Frames were donated to provide the learners, as a token of our appreciation.  They had a frame for their certification which was given to them after they evaluated the training.  All was done on line before we walked out our training room.  I provided them with a nice-sort of funny but professional notepad, a pen and a snack when they walked in the training room, a friendly touch, made them feel as welcome as they were.