Blood from the Shoulder of Pallas: Using Learning Style as a guide when

developing learning materials for a Virtual Learning Environment

Damian Gordon

Gordon Bull

DIT e-Learning Research Group

Introduction

• Computer-Assisted Learning 2003

• “the medium is the message”

• 3rd Level Topics can sometimes be complex and dense, for example ;

• Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM)

S.S.A.D.M.

• A methodology to structure a project into small, well-defined activities and specify the sequence and interaction of these activities

S.S.A.D.M.

• A methodology to structure a project into small, well-defined activities and specify the sequence and interaction of these activities

• Uses diagrammatic and other modelling techniques to give a more precise (structured) definition is understandable by both users and developers

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

• One of the few ‘open’ methods available for information systems development

• A very comprehensive ‘organisational’ method

• Developed by the British civil service

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

S.S.A.D.M.

• Broken up into six stages, but because it is an ‘organisational’ methodology given the proper inputs a developer (or student) should be able to start at any stage.

How to Teach it ?

• In a theoretical fashion with worked out examples and analysing case studies

• As a series of case studies for the students

• A combination of both …

• Each approach will appeal to some students and definitely not to others (customisation?)

VLEs

• Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) provide a range of tools to address a range of student styles, the question is, which tools for which styles ???

Wants to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them.

LEARNS BY TEACHING OTHERS

Wants to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them.

LEARNS BY TEACHING OTHERS

Gathers information from numerous sources. Likes to reflect and clarify before speaking

CONCERNED WITH THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING

Wants to talk through their ideas in order to clarify them.

LEARNS BY TEACHING OTHERS

Gathers information from numerous sources. Likes to reflect and clarify before speaking

CONCERNED WITH THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING

Interested in the patterns and relationships between the facts, discovery learning, they try to develop new original solutions

LIKE SIMULATIONS OR EXPERIMENTS

Interested in the patterns and relationships between the facts, discovery learning, they try to develop new original solutions

LIKE SIMULATIONS OR EXPERIMENTS

Focus on facts and details. Like structured lectures, guidelines and objectives. Tend to apply standard solutions

CONCERNED WITH WHAT MUST BE KNOWN

Interested in the patterns and relationships between the facts, discovery learning, they try to develop new original solutions

LIKE SIMULATIONS OR EXPERIMENTS

Focus on facts and details. Like structured lectures, guidelines and objectives. Tend to apply standard solutions

CONCERNED WITH WHAT MUST BE KNOWN

Subjective in their decision making and consider how their decisions affect others, like small group exercises

OPEN-ENDED CONSTRUCTIVISTIC FORMATS

Subjective in their decision making and consider how their decisions affect others, like small group exercises

OPEN-ENDED CONSTRUCTIVISTIC FORMATS

Reply on analysis, logic and existing principles. Like tests to measure progress.

ANALYSE CASE STUDIES

Subjective in their decision making and consider how their decisions affect others, like small group exercises

OPEN-ENDED CONSTRUCTIVISTIC FORMATS

Reply on analysis, logic and existing principles. Like tests to measure progress.

ANALYSE CASE STUDIES

Prefer flexibility and adaptability, often postpone doing work until the very last minute

SEEK INFORMATION UNTIL THE DEADLINE (AND OFTEN BEYOND)

Prefer flexibility and adaptability, often postpone doing work until the very last minute

SEEK INFORMATION UNTIL THE DEADLINE (AND OFTEN BEYOND)

Prefer structure and organisation, appreciate any resources that can help them plan their work

DEADLINES ARE SACRED

Prefer flexibility and adaptability, often postpone doing work until the very last minute

SEEK INFORMATION UNTIL THE DEADLINE (AND OFTEN BEYOND)

Prefer structure and organisation, appreciate any resources that can help them plan their work

DEADLINES ARE SACRED

Algorithm

S.S.A.D.M.

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom,had a companion Owl on her shoulder which revealed unseen truths to her. Her owl had the ability to light up Athena’s blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth

The Little Owl’s claws point in an inward

direction, therefore to rest upon Athena’s shoulder, the Little

Owl must have drawn blood