Struggling along and asking for directions....

It seems that many are getting a bit stuck along this journey. Do NOT despair!  Often it is about stopping and asking for directions when we take a detour on a trip. You may just find that the person who is assisting you is more interesting than if you hadn't wandered off. With that, I encourage you all to keep in touch with each other and to email me if you need to, as some of you have.

The Development phase in the ADDIE process is about trying to implement what you have planned without actually implementing  just yet. Let me explain with a very basic example of how someone would go through the first three phases of ADDIE...

I am a lecturer who has realised that my students aren't grasping a particular concept and believe that a group assignment may help them to understand this concept. However, this particular class doesn't work well together in small groups and often moan when I ask them to do so. I consider using Facebook as a platform since I know almost everyone in the class is using it for social reasons.

The Analysis consists of doing a small survey with the class about their interest in Facebook and use of it, as well as how they access the internet (home/cellphone/campus computers). I discover that they do not want to use Facebook for academic purposes and that there are some students who do not have mobile or home access to the internet. I then search for other options and discover that a site called Wikispaces is a nice option that will allow everyone to contribute to a wiki (online resource) without actually having to work on it simultaneously. I also need to find out if I need ethical clearance for attempting this if I want to write it up or present it as educational research.

I can then move on to the Design phase. In this phase I plan the assignment and ensure that I understand the website/online space of Wikispaces completely. I also decide on which students will do what and how they will be assessed. I need to design a basic training/demonstration session for students in class and ensure that there will be sufficient support for them, via email / message box in my office if they have questions.

This is where I will start the Development of my intervention. I set up the Wikispaces class page and invite each of the students to the site. I create a "training manual" for them on how to access and use the site and include a clear description for them on what is expected in the assignment. This includes reminding them of the fact that the internet is an open space requiring good academic writing skills and plagarism is not allowed.

This brings me to the focus we've had this week. The development of your intervention requires that you prepare fully for the Implementation phase. Should the first three phases be correctly carried out, the implementation phase shouldn't require new content to be created or excessive problems to arise. You will be prepared. Your materials are prepared. Your "plan B" options are in place. You are ready to IMPLEMENT.