Gaining Attention in Online Modules
Using Gagnés 1st Event of Instruction in Online Courses
Dr. Robert Gagné
The Nine Events of Instruction are:
- Gain Attention
- Inform Learners of objectives
- Stimulate recall fo prior learning
- Present the content
- Provide "learning guidance"
- Elicit performance (practice)
- Provide feedback
- Assess performance
- Enhance retention and transfer to the job
This systematic approach to instructional development, design, and delivery guided many educators throughout the last 55 years. How can his methodology be applied to online courses using the Desire2Learn learning management system?
Is it still a foundation..... even for online courses?
In this post, I look at how Gagnés first event (Gain Attention) can be successfully implemented in today’s online courses to grab the attention of 21st-century learners and engage them from the very start of an online learning module.
Robert Gagné- Background
20 Ways Gain Attention in an Online Module
The goal is to give learners just enough to make them interested. Like a movie trailer.
Here are the best examples from around the Internet. You can insert or embed them into your D2L module description area:
- Incorporate taglines or slogans. Use online slogan creators such as: (https://www.shopify.com/tools/slogan-maker, https://www.portent.com/tools/title-maker).
- Use graphics, color, and images to catch attention and draw learners in, to focus on objectives.
- Add animation to catch attention and draw learners to focus on objectives.
- Introduce the module using audio or podcasts. (SoundCloud, iTunes, Audacity).
- Incorporate introductory YouTube, Vimeo, PowToon videos (short, fast-paced video to introduce topic using graphics and/or background music) (created in applications such as Camtasia / Screencast-O-
matic
/ iMovie, WeVideo). - Utilize interest polls and surveys (Google Forms, Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, Wufoo) to drive your content and discussions.
- Embed overview slideshows & presentations (Google Slides, Slideshare, Animoto, Prezi, Apple Photos, ThingLink, Adobe Slate,
Smore
, VoiceThread) to show more in less space. - Embed group project sign ups for module projects. (Google Forms).
- Link to or embed current news clips & stories to introduce topics.
- Insert a module news announcement (Midterm, paper, or project due!).
- Present a dilemma to uncover during the module.
- Present an analogy they may question.
- Present something controversial to make students want to learn more and present their feelings.
- Tell a story learners can relate to- draw them in.
- Pose a thought provoking
question
about a subjectmatter
you can use later in a discussion board. - Use a survey to have students pose questions to be answered by other students during a discussion board.
- Include an interesting fact to pique their interest in module description.
- Highlight case studies related to module content you can introduce later.
- Create an interactive word cloud your learners can click on in order to get a sense of what the module is about.
- Explain problems or equations using a whiteboard app to record the directions, upload the video to YouTube and embed. (Educreations, ShowMe)
6 Examples of Gaining Attention in a D2L Learning Module:
1. Headlines, Taglines, or Slogans
A Guide to Aerial Photography
How to Plan an Aerial Photography Mission
Creative Ways You Can Utilize Aerial Photography
2. Color and Graphics
In this example...
The aerial photography image draws student attention to the module objectives. Module learning objectives are specific for the module and should include what the students will be able to do after successfully completing the module.
Using various shades of green in the subtitles highlights the important topics (activities, due dates, materials, and how to start the module) students need to know before moving on to module activities. Colors can be aligned with the topic. In this case, green was used because of the landscape image.
Remember to use color with care. Do not use color alone to convey meaning! For more on UDL principles, visit: https://ualr.edu/pace/tenstepsud/#6
3. Animation
Try the image animator at:
http://picasion.com4. Podcasts
This is an example of a podcast I found on aerial photography. While it is 43:22 long, the instructor could choose just a few minutes for students to review.
5. Video
Remember to caption the video for accessibility!
6. Images
Module Objectives:
- Summarize the history and current state of aerial photography and platforms
- Distinguish vertical, low-oblique and high-oblique photographs
- Articulate the relationship between f/stop and shutter speeds
- Recognize the differences between additive color theory and subtractive color theory
- Discriminate between normal color and color-infrared aerial photography
- Plan a possible aerial photography mission
- Explore and become familiar with ERDAS Imagine
This simple use of an image draws your attention to the list of objectives and highlights their meaning. Remember to use ALT tags for accessibility!
7. Surveys or Forms
Use the survey responses to tailor your instruction or for discussion prompts later on in the module. Screen readers do work with Google Forms.