Using Multimedia to Teach Adult Learners

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Using Multimedia to Teach Adult Learners

• Leslie PettyProject IDEAL Support
  CenterUniversity of Michigan

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Educational Focus

• Multimedia materials are tools
• Key Issue instructional design
• What content is included?
• How is it presented?
• What supports for students are needed?
• Goal classroom catalyst vs. direct instruction?
• Most materials require teacher direction/support

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Types of Curricula

• Computer Based
• Online
• Computer Aided Instruction
• CD-ROM
• Multimedia
• Video/TV
• Print
• Online

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Computer Based Curricula

• Provide direct instruction
• Teacher has limited role
• Include diagnostics
• Software assigns course of instruction
• Provide instant feedback

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Multimedia Curricula

• Use different media
• Video, online, print
• Appeal to different learning styles
• Media provide overlapping complementary
  instruction
• Can mix match media
• Teacher plays major role

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Video

• Direct Instruction (GED on TV)
• Motivation
• and a little instruction (TV411 Videos)
• Catalyst for Classroom Instruction
• WES Videos Stories Examples
• GEDC Videos Examples

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NJ Workplace Literacy Link
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Research on Two Programs

• TV411
• Workplace Essential Skills
• Both use video, print online
• Different instructional goals
• Different production approaches

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TV411

• Video magazine format, entertaining
• Eclectic curricula
• Focus on real life situations and applications
• Mix of real people and actors
• Workbooks
• Online, added after early research complete

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TV411

• Tested in several settings
• Key findings
• Major changes in attitudes and edl plans
• Little change in content knowledge
• Students in facilitated group do better in GED
  prep program than control group

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Workplace Essential Skills

• Three media
• Video
• Online
• workbooks
• 4 strands
• Workplace reading
• Workplace math
• Workplace communication
• Employment

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Workplace Essential Skills

• Tested in classrooms
• Little use of online component
• Heavy use of workbooks
• Video stimulated discussions
• Key findings
• Significant gains in math reading
• Little measured gain in employment
  communication

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Multimedia at a Distance

• Why Distance Education?
• Reach students not currently served
• More options for current students
• How is distance ed delivered?
• Online or computer based
• Video, DVD
• Print
• Learning about distance education an on-going
  process

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Project IDEAL Support Center at the University
of Michigan /Institute for Social Research
16 States 400 Teachers 42,000 Learners
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Distance Curricula Used by Project IDEAL States
Crossroads Café /Eng for All GED Connection /
Pre GEDC MHC GED Interactive GED Illinois/GED
Missouri PLATO / Skills Tutor Workplace
Essential Skills
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Models Used

• Course Models
• Supported Distance
• Blended
• Teacher plays important role in mediating
  materials

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What Weve Learned

• Teacher support is crucial
• Need to match materials to students needs
  abilities
• Not appropriate for all students
• Works for ABE, GED and ESL students
• Students can achieve comparable educational gains
  to classroom students

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Whats Next?

• AdultEd Online
• New federally funded project
• Distance learning
• Technology integration in classroom programs
• Teacher resources self-assessment and
  professional development
• Learner resources connect to providers and to
  direct instruction

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Contact Information

• projectideal.org
• lpetty_at_umich.edu