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A new book by an MIT professor is full of surprising truths about how the brain works.
Posted by EdSurge HigherEd on Thursday, December 24, 2020
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-12-22-forgetting-is-a-feature-not-a-bug-how-the-brain-grasps-new-concepts
a new book called “Grasp: The Science Transforming How We Learn.”
“Our approach to teaching is based on the assumption that the teacher has a pen and the student’s brain is a sheet of paper. That’s actually wrong,”
Forgetting is a key strength of the brain, even though it has to be fought against by teachers, he says. My note: why is this a revelation? My psychology professor in the 80s was drilling in us: one, who does not forget, does not remember.
professors need to space out lessons and reteach important material at intervals, he adds, to get past the tendency to forget. My note: that also has been discussed extensively in the past two decades: e.g. the chunk theory, microlearning etc: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=chunk+theory
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more on the brain and education in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=brain
Dear colleagues,
I am collaborating on a project comparing the efficacy of two types of instructional videos. We are looking for literature that describes similar research. For example, a study might compare students who have watched voice-over ppt slides and students who have watched Khan-style videos, examining students’ content knowledge and/or some affective constructs. Alternatively, a study might compare the lengths or speeds of only one type of video.
Given the dearth of literature addressing these variables, I am hoping this community can help us uncover some additional research for our literature review. I am happy to compile and share everything that is shared with me over the coming days.
Jenay Robert, Ph.D. Research Project Manager Teaching and Learning with Technology The Pennsylvania State University
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Clossen, A. S. (2018). Trope or Trap? Roleplaying Narratives and Length in Instructional Video. Information Technology & Libraries, 37(1), 27-38.
It is impossible to please everyone all the time—at least that is what survey results suggest. There are several takeaways to this study: Video length matters, especially as a consideration before the video is viewed. Timestamps should be included in video creation, or it is highly likely that the video will not be viewed. The video player is key here, as some video players include video length, while others do not. Videos that exceed four minutes are unlikely to be viewed unless they are required. Voice quality in narration matters. Although preference in type of voice inevitably varies, the actor’s voice is noticed over production value. It is important that the narrator speaks evenly and clearly. For brief how-to videos, there is a small preference for screencast instructional videos over a narrative roleplay scenario. The results of the survey indicate that roleplay videos should be wellproduced, brief, and high quality. However, what constitutes high quality is not very well established.15 Finally, screencast videos should include an example scenario, however brief, to ground the viewer in the task.
Lin, S., Aiken, J. M., Seaton, D. T., Douglas, S. S., Greco, E. F., Thoms, B. D., & Schatz, M. F. (2017). Exploring Physics Students’ Engagement with Online Instructional Videos in an Introductory Mechanics Course. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 13(2), 020138-1.
Kruse, N. B., & Veblen, K. K. (2012). Music teaching and learning online: Considering YouTube instructional videos. Journal Of Music, Technology & Education, 5(1), 77-87. doi:10.1386/jmte.5.1.77_1
Buzzetto-More, N. A. (2014). An Examination of Undergraduate Student’s Perceptions and Predilections of the Use of YouTube in the Teaching and Learning Process. Interdisciplinary Journal Of E-Learning & Learning Objects, 1017-32.
Chekuri, C., & Tiecheng, L. (2007). Extracting content from instructional videos by statistical modelling and classification. Pattern Analysis & Applications, 10(2), 69-81.
My note; too old as data but interesting as methodology
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more on chunk theory in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=chunk+theory
specifically Adobe’s “findings” : https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2018/01/17/microlearning-instructional-design/
Microlearning: The Emerging Instructional Design Strategy in Elearning
BY SYED AMJAD ALI NOVEMBER 8, 2017
Microlearning is a learning strategy that involves bite-sized learning nuggets (small and focused segments) designed to meet a specific learning outcome. To put it simply, the learning content is chunked to reduce learner’s cognitive overload making it easy for learners to absorb and recall.
An effective microlearning course:
- Provides deeper learning on a specific concept or a performance objective
- Is bite-sized, effectively chunked and easily digestible
- Designed for exact moment-of-need – Right information at right time
- Ideal for extended performance support providing a better mobile learning experience
- Focused on a single performance objective, concept or idea
- Is usually 4 to 5 minutes in length, or shorter
My note:
Adobe is trying to reshape an old theory: chunking
by calling it “microlearning”?
What do you think?
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more on instructional design in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=instructional+design
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2PM, we met to discuss the basics of design, graphic design in particular.
Sliderocket and SLideshare
Here is the handout with sources and outlines. Pls feel welcome to contribute with your sources and ideas.
Design Basics
Handouts
– What is design and how to we approach it
to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/design
what is graphic design
The process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication is the formal, short definition of graphic design. Today’s graphic designers often use desktop publishing software and techniques to achieve their goals.
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/basic/g/graphicdesign.htm
– Why is it important to consider it
Graphic design helps clarify meaning and ease communication from one person (persons) to another, and it does so in a few ways.
http://www.quora.com/Why-is-graphic-design-important
– How do we enact it
Hands-on exercise: create well-designed PowerPoint.
– Keep it simple
Your slides should have plenty of white space, or negative space. Do not feel compelled to fill empty areas on your slide with your logo or other unnecessary graphics or text boxes that do not contribute to better understanding. The less clutter you have on your slide, the more powerful your visual message will become.
– Limit bullet points and text
The best slides may have no text at all.
– Limit transitions and builds (animation)
– Use high quality graphics
– Have a visual theme but avoid using PowerPoint templates
– Use color well
Color evokes feelings. Color is emotional. The right color can help persuade and motivate. Studies show that color usage can increase interest and improve learning comprehension and retention.
You do not need to be an expert in color theory, but it’s good for business professionals to know at least a bit on the subject. Colors can be divided into two general categories: cool (such as blue and green) and warm (such as orange and red). Cool colors work best for backgrounds, as they appear to recede away from us into the background. Warm colors generally work best for objects in the foreground (such as text) because they appear to be coming at us.
– Choose your fonts well
Fonts communicate subtle messages in and of themselves, which is why you should choose fonts deliberately. Use the same font set throughout your entire slide presentation and use no more than two complementary fonts (e.g., Arial and Arial Bold). Make sure you know the difference between a serif font (e.g., Times New Roman) and a sans-serif font (e.g., Helvetica or Arial).
Serif fonts were designed to be used in documents filled with lots of text. They’re said to be easier to read at small point sizes, but for onscreen presentations, the serifs tend to get lost due to the relatively low resolution of projectors. Sans- serif fonts are generally best for PowerPoint presentations, but try to avoid the ubiquitous Helvetica.
– Spend time in the slider sorter
According to the Segmentation Principle of multimedia learning theory, people comprehend better when information is presented in small chunks or segments. By getting out of the Slide view and into the Slide Sorter view, you can see how the logical flow of your presentation is progressing. In this view, you may decide to break up one slide into, say, two or three slides so that your presentation has a more natural and logical flow or process.
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-slide-design-tips-for-producing-powerful-and-effective-presentations/6117178
Graphic Design Fundamentals
http://www.garrreynolds.com/design/basics.html
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/graphic-design-basics-elements/
50 Totally Free Lessons in Graphic Design Theory
http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/web/50-totally-free-lessons-in-graphic-design-theory/
http://www.gdbasics.com/
Know Thy User: The Role of Research in Great Interactive Design
http://www.slideshare.net/frogdesign/know-thy-user-the-role-of-research-in-great-interactive-design
Basics of Web Design
http://webdesign.about.com/od/webdesigntutorials/a/aa070504.htm
Basics of Web Design
http://ontwik.com/ui/basics-of-web-design/