Interactivity on stage: Strategies for learner-designer communication

Rod Sims; Rod Sims

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 15, No. 3 (Jan 01, 1999)

The word interactive, when used to described computer based learning resources, has tended to imply better experiences, more active learning, enhanced interest and motivation. But despite the investment in productions to date, this interactive...

Language: English

Futures for computer-based training: Developing the learner-computer interface

Rod Sims; Rod Sims

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 4, No. 2 (Jan 01, 1988)

Often regarded as the solution to effective skills development, Computer-Based Training (CBT) is now satisfying many training demands. However, despite continued developments with instructional technology in areas such as embedded CBT and...

Language: English

Interactivity: A Forgotten Art?

Rod Sims

Computers in Human Behavior Vol. 13, No. 2 (1997) pp. 157–80

This paper promotes further discussion and analysis of interactivity in learning environments and contains a classification of interaction types appropriate for consideration in multimedia settings. Through an examination of related factors...

Promises of Interactivity: Aligning Leaner Perceptions and Expectations with Strategies for Flexible and Online Learning

Rod Sims

Distance Education Vol. 24, No. 1 (2003) pp. 87–103

Presents a study of Australian undergraduates that investigated ways people perceive interactivity and the extent to which it adds value to the online learning process. Results showed students had specific expectations of interactivity that were...

Trends, Fads and Futures: 21 Years of Educational Multimedia - Where Have We Got To, and Where Should We Go?

Rod Sims

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2004 (2004) pp. 3755–3766

Educational applications of computer technology can be traced to the early 1970s; and since then extensive analysis, research and publication has been undertaken. One organisation active in this field since 1983 is ASCILITE, the Australasian Society ...

Topics: Educational Technology, Computers

Revisiting "Beyond Instructional Design"

Rod Sims

Journal of Learning Design Vol. 8, No. 3 pp. 29–41

Since the article "Beyond Instructional Design: Making Learning Design a Reality" (Sims, 2006) was published, much has changed in the opportunities we have for learning, and Professor Rod Sims's thinking has evolved. In this article,...

Beyond Instructional Design: Making Learning Design a Reality

Rod Sims

Journal of Learning Design Vol. 1, No. 2 pp. 1–9

When we reflect on the emergence of online education and e-learning as the leading contender to confront the traditions of face-to-face teaching and learning, it is not only a case of better understanding the characteristics of online environments,...

The Online Learning Alchemist: Preventing Gold Turning Into Lead

Rod Sims

EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2001 (2001) pp. 1558–1563

This paper addresses the creation of materials and resources for use in online learning, focusing on the new and emerging roles for teachers and learners in conjunction with developments in our understanding of the human-computer interface. As...

Topics: Networking Technologies, Teachers, Educational Technology

An interactive conundrum: Constructs of interactivity and learning theory

Rod Sims

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 16, No. 1 (Jan 01, 2000) pp. 45–57

The role and function of interactivity within computer enhanced learning is undergoing increased scrutiny. Through a reappraisal of learning theories in terms of their implications for interactivity and identifying the major interactive constructs, ...

Usability and Learning in OnLine Environments: A Case of Interactive Encounters

Rod Sims

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2001 (2001) pp. 1735–1740

This paper proposes a set of strategies to maximise learner-content and learner-learner interactions in on-line learning environments. Extrapolating the outcomes of a research study that investigated the ways in which users responded to the...

Topics: Interaction, Learning Outcomes

Enhancing Instructional Development Processes for E-Learning

Rod Sims; Deborah Jones

World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2002 (2002) pp. 2171–2174

Australian tertiary institutions provide centralised support for developing online teaching and learning resources. These environments are characterised by an increasing demand from students for quality face-to-face and distance education, staff...

Topics: Instructional Design, Distance Education, Learning Management Systems

E-Learning Development in Higher Education: Maximising Efficiency - Maintaining Quality

Deborah Jones; Rod Sims

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2002 (2002) pp. 890–895

Many tertiary institutions in Australia provide support to develop online teaching and learning resources, an environment characterised by demands from students for quality face-to-face and distance education, staff concern over workloads,...

Topics: Distance Education, Instructional Design, Learning Management Systems, Instructional Materials

Speculations on Design Team Interactions

John Hedberg; Rod Sims

Journal of Interactive Learning Research Vol. 12, No. 2 (2001) pp. 193–208

This article examines the design approaches possible with modern views of learning and the outcomes being achieved. It speculates that new types of design dialogues are impor-tant if the products developed are to effectively combine the skills of...

Topics: Learning Outcomes

Using Encounter Theory to Design Interactive Learning

John Hedberg; Rod Sims

EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2003 (2003) pp. 2654–2657

This paper proposes that new design dialogues are necessary if online interactive learning resources are to effectively combine the skills of both the educational designer and the technical expertise of the development team. By proposing the concept ...

Topics: Interaction, Learning Outcomes

Virtual and Physical Experimentation in Inquiry-Based Science Labs: Attitudes, Performance and Access

Kevin Pyatt; Rod Sims

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 21, No. 1 (February 2012) pp. 133–147

This study investigated the learning dimensions that occur in physical and virtual inquiry-based lab investigations, in first-year secondary chemistry classes. This study took place over a 2 year period and utilized an experimental crossover design...

Learning human biology: Student views on the usefulness of IT materials in an integrated curriculum

Mary Peat; Sue Franklin; Alison Lewis; Rod Sims; Rod Sims

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 18, No. 2 (Jan 01, 2002)

Given the significant investment by tertiary institutions in the design and creation of computer based teaching and learning resources, it is important to continually evaluate outcomes from their implementation. Within this context, this study...

Language: English

Enhancing Quality in Online Learning: Scaffolding Planning and Design through Proactive Evaluation

Rod Sims; Graeme Dobbs; Tim Hand

Distance Education Vol. 23, No. 2 (October 2002) pp. 135–148

A major issue confronting educators is the extent to which they wish to conform to so-called paradigm shifts in teaching and learning. In the contemporary world of tertiary education these shifts embrace both pedagogy (from instructivist to...

Technology at the Cutting Edge: A Large Scale Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Educational Resources

Sue Franklin; Mary Peat; Alison Lewis; Rod Sims

EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2001 (2001) pp. 1473–1474

The perceived effectiveness of traditional and computer-based educational resources, within the context of a single course in first year biology, was investigated within an action-research paradigm. The study examined the dynamic state of...

Topics: Students, Computers

Should instructional designers be project managers?

Jackie Dobrovolny; Joe Lamos; Rod Sims; Tim Spannaus

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2002 (2002) pp. 414–419

Why do so many instructional design projects struggle? Perhaps one reason is that the projects are managed by instructional designers who have little project management experience. Experienced instructional designers frequently perform the role of...

Topics: Instructional Design

The Phoenix Rising: Emergent Models of Instructional Design

Sonja Irlbeck; Elena Kays; Deborah Jones; Rod Sims

Distance Education Vol. 27, No. 2 (August 2006) pp. 171–185

The blurring of distinctions between online and distance education in many parts of the developed world has led to reflections on the strategies and processes by which we create effective online learning environments for the distance education...

Managing Projects for Change: Contextualised Project Management

Belinda Tynan; Rachael Adlington; Cherry Stewart; Deborah Vale; Rod Sims; Peter Shanahan

The Journal of Distance Education / Revue de l'ducation Distance Vol. 24, No. 1 (2010) pp. 187–206

This paper will detail three projects which focussed on enhancing online learning at a large Australian distance education University within a School of Business, School of Health and School of Education. Each project had special funding and took...

The Impact of Information Technology on Instructor and Learner Competencies, Part 1

J. Michael Spector; Barbara Grabowski; Barbara Sorensen; James Klein; Ileana de la Teja; Rod Sims; Dennis Fields; Jan Visser; Tim Spannaus

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2003 (2003) pp. 2029–2032

Online technologies continue to impact teaching and training. Keeping up with competencies required in modern learning environments is a challenge for staff developers, online teachers and trainers and instructional designers. This symposium will...

Topics: Competencies, Standards, Professional Development, Teachers, Training