Effective Web Instruction: Handbook for...

In the first two chapters of this handbook, Frick and Boling discuss the elements of planning web-based instruction. They also say that most instruction of this types lack the type of user testing, changes and revisions that usually go into instructional design.  They main point of the first chapter is to make sure that material is not just created and released. It must be planned, tested, revised and retested to make sure all marks are being hit for all stakeholders involved. The second chapter goes on to talk about instructional goals and indicators, learner analysis and content analysis. All of these elements are imperative when designing a successful online course.

Web instruction comes in many forms, much of which is informal.  Youtoube and Vimeo videos, PDF tutorials, topical websites myriad of other resources to help people learn things are available to the general public.  However the type of instruction this handbook refers to is a formal self-directed course, which the authors believe should fit a specific format and contain all 5 of Merril’s first principles. Most web instruction does not follow the format laid out in this handbook. This is likely because the majority of people who write online courses are not instructional designers.  In many cases, they may be subject matter experts (SME’s) who use digital tools to transfer their knowledge to others in the form of web instruction. While they may be experts on the content, they may have no experience of how to successfully plan or write successful instruction. This may work the informal learning resources, where learners are simply trying to fill in gaps of their existing knowledge.  However if, for instance, a company is trying to implement a self-directed program for their employees to complex learn job-related processes and procedure, than more planning and consideration should go into this type of learning.

I think these chapters bring up some great points that are often overlooked.  Many might be surprised how many people and companies consider reading topics and a multiple choice quiz at the end, proper online instruction, however, Frick and Boling point out that it can, and should be so much more.