Mini-Analysis: Online programs for creating instructional materials

Project Description:

Recently, interest has been expressed at my school site in online instructional media creation programs. These programs include UDUTU, ProProfs, Google Sites and others. Our district recently installed new LCD projectors in each classroom and provided portable whiteboards to all teachers. The district promotes and encourages the use of technology and of incorporating a variety of instructional media in the classroom. Previous observations have shown that teachers are using the basic technology of the projector and board but are not using it to a great degree. There are also very few teachers incorporating online media. A few teachers have used such media and shared their experiences with others at the school site. Those who have used or seen these programs have had a positive reaction toward them. Noting that Primary teachers (K-3) tend not to use online programs to the degree that Intermediate teachers use them, an analysis was done to determine:
1. If primary teachers would be interested in learning about these programs
2. How primary teachers would like to incorporate these technologies in their teaching (direct instruction…individual student learning…etc.)
3. Which program teachers would like to learn about

Audience

6 Elementary School Teachers with experience teaching grades K-3, 5 of these teachers holding Masters degrees in education related fields.

Survey

See Appendix A for survey results.
The survey addressed the three main concerns of the project description:
1. Are teachers interested in learning to use online programs:
Results: Teachers are using the LCD projector and other technologies for direct instruction and so they are capable of using online programs through these technologies. Teachers are currently using programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Publisher to create presentations shown on the projector. They are not using online programs and some were unfamiliar with the names of these programs. A few had used presentations/quizzes that others had created with such programs but none had created any presentations themselves. The majority of those who had used others’ presentations stated that the presentations had a positive impact on student learning. One respondent stated that it had a negative impact but it was found that this respondent had misinterpreted the question. The respondents unanimously agreed that they would like to learn about this type of media.
2.How would primary teachers like to incorporate these technologies in their teaching (direct instruction…individual student learning…etc.)?
The majority of respondents stated that they would like to use online presentation media for direct instruction.
4.Which program would teachers like to learn about?
The program receiving the most votes was the UDUTU program.

Course Design

Based on the results of the survey, a course will be designed to teach the basic elements of the UDUTU program. Respondents expressed an interest but also a concern about training being time consuming, one respondent stated “I would use these programs if I have the time to go to training sessions and if these programs took minimal time to use with maximum student benefit.” Through discussion, aside from the survey, respondents said that they preferred working through creating a presentation at their own pace but needed guidance. This course will have the following features to accommodate the needs of the participants:

1. Main focus is on the UDUTU course
2. Participants will create a basic UDUTU presentation
3. A “play” presentation will be done initially for students to try out features without creating a project. Students will later create an actual presentation
4. Presentation deliverable will be done at their own pace.
5. Video tutorials/job aids will be provided for them to work through
6. Discussion board for participants to list features they found that are not discussed in the course