March 2022

Issue 07

Let's Make a Game Out of It: Tools to Gamify the Classroom

Kahoot and Poll Everywhere are two e-learning tools that you can use to enrich your classroom with real-time trivia questions. Gamification has been proven to encourage learning through low-stakes multi-sensory activities. Students feel more motivated and engaged.

In this session, we will explore the pedagogical reasons why you should gamification in the classroom. We'll discuss how Kahoot and Poll Everywhere are two digital gamification tools and ways you can employ them. NEW TIME! Join us on Zoom at 11 PM PST on Thursday, March 24th! Meeting link: https://usc.zoom.us/s/6549931132

Tried and True e-Learning Practice: Less is Best!

There are four cognitive principles we can follow to ensure our courses are designed for student success.  Studies show that wordy communications, assignment instructions, and modules demotivate and frustrate students. In fact, too much visual clutter overall can result in lower retention rates!

1. Multimedia Principle You use pictures, images, and video rather than text alone. (Be careful not to include images for the sake of including them!) Try posting a weekly introduction video instead of an all-text weekly introduction! 2. Spatial Contiguity Principle You place corresponding words and images near each other. Try placing an image next to text rather than at the bottom of a page. 3. Temporal Contiguity Principle You place corresponding words and images at the same time instead of one after another. In a PowerPoint, imagery is relevant and included near the text it describes rather than randomly throughout the presentation. 4. Coherence Principal You include only what is necessary. Try using words and images judiciously— include only what is necessary for students to learn about the subject.

Adapted from: Burns, M. (2019, April 14). To read or not to read: Text in an online world. eLearning Industry.

The Takeaway? Design for student success by using less! Too much visual clutter in online and remote courses prevents deeper learning! Simplicity fosters deeper learning because the human brain learns best when it can focus on one thing at a time.

Need help with Blackboard? Have a pedagogical question? Contact us via our Instructional Design Request Form! The request form allows our instructional design team to respond timely to all questions and consultation requests related to instructional design. It's quicker

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Instructional Design Faculty Digest is a monthly e-blast bringing you updates on current happenings, important resources, and innovative e-learning tools and pedagogies.