10 Questions for designing media for instruction and learning

1. What is the educational need, problem or gap for which use of the new media might enhance learning?
2. Would the application of new media help assess prior knowledge?
3. Would the application of new media enhance students’ organization of information—given that organization determines retrieval and flexible use?
4. Would the application of new media actively engage students in purposeful practice that promotes deeper learning or automaticity (where desired). This, so that students focus on underlying principles, theories and models and processes, not superficial features of problems?
5. Would the application of new media help provide frequent, timely and constructive feedback and guidance?
6. Would the application of new media help learners develop proficiency they need to acquire new skills of selective monitoring, evaluating and adjusting their learning strategies (Self-regulated learning strategies, or metacognitive skills)?
7. Would the application of new media adjust to students’ individual differences and increasingly diverse educational backgrounds and abilities?
8. Would the application of new media increase cost or logistical efficiencies in the instruction?
9. How would the application of new media promote a learning- or learner-centered instructional approach?
10. How would the application of new media address motivational or attitudinal aspects of learning?
    
    Adapted by Joel Galbraith.
    Original source: Joel M. Smith & Susan Ambrose (June 2004). The “Newest Media” and a principled approach to for integrating technology into instruction. Syllabus Magazine