IV Selecting instructional media and instructional systems Development and Exchange of Instructional Resources in Water Quality Control Programs Charles County Community College La Plata, Maryland ------- Development and Exchange of Instructional Resources in Water Quality Control Programs IV. Selecting instructional media and instructional systems Environmental Protection Agency Charles County Community College 1974 ------- The mention of trade names or commercial products in this manual is for illustration purposes, and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. ------- Project funded by Manpower Development Staff Office of Wafer Program Operations Environmental Protection Agency Grant Number 900253 Awarded to Charles County Community College La Plata, Maryland Carl M. Schwing, Project Director Report prepared by W. Harry Durham Robert A. Gearheart John H. Austin ------- Preface To meet proposed federal and state water quality standards, both for drinking water and waste- water treatment plant effluents, the treatment plants of this country must have qualified personnel continually upgraded with the latest technology. The broad spectrum of competencies required of such personnel, coupled with the wide geographic distribution of trainees (existing operating personnel, as well as new entries), suggests the need for high quality instructional systems. To be effective, these systems need improved instructional materials and qualified instructors. This series of reports (Volumes I-IV) reviews the present status of available instructional materials and equipment and offers suggestions about how to select equipment. Guidelines are given for the production of instructional materials which should lead to maximum flexibility and economy. The initial four volumes in this report are: Volume Title I Audio-Visual Equipment on Hand II Instructional Materials Available III Selecting Audio-Visual Equipment IV Selecting Instructional Media and Instructional System This volume, Selecting Instructional Media and Instructional Systems, suggests to the instructor, who is either a user of instructional materials or a developer of curricula and instructional materials, various concepts and procedures to follow in his efforts. The discussions that follow are derived from a host of efforts in and out of the water quality control field. It is sug- gested that you, as a reader, study the methods proposed in this document and send comments to the authors concerning your implementation of these ideas. So that all of us in instructional system development in the water quality control field can benefit from your ideas and efforts and so that you can benefit from the efforts of your peers, it is important to correspond with each other. Please contact the authors with your ideas, suggestions or innovative approaches to instructional system development. ------- Acknowledgements This report is a cooperative effort between persons with technical competence in the water quality control field and. instructional technologists with competence in instructional system development. The overall administration of the project has been under the direction of Carl M. Schwing. The preparation of Volume TV: Selecting Instructional Media and Instructional Systems was directed by W. Harry Durham with assistance from Robert A. Gearheart and John H. Austin. The following have served on the advisory committee for the project: Representing the Environmental Protection Agency: Joseph Bahnick, Chief, Water Quality Control Manpower Training Branch, Municipal Permits and Operations Division, OWPO/EPA Kenneth M. Hay, Chief, Media and Instructor Development Section, Water Quality Control Manpower Training Branch, Municipal Permits and Operations Division, OWPO/EPA Harold L. Jeter, Director, National Training Center, Municipal Permits and Opera- tions Division, OWPO/EPA George H. Ziener, formerly Chief, Instructional Development Section, Air Pollution Training Institute, EPA Representing Charles County Community College: Walter J. Bojsza, Audio-Visual Coordinator, Learning Resource Center Carl M. Schwing, Chairman, Pollution Abatement Technology Department Consultants: John H. Austin, Professor and Head, Environmental Systems Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina Ross J, Cornwell, Assistant Director of Public Relations, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina W. Harry Durham, Director, University Conmunications Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina Robert A. Gearheart, Division of Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, Utah Donald K. Moon, Director, Educational Media Services, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa ------- Table of Contents Page Summary 1 Recommendations 2 Glossary 3 Instructional Technology Available . 6 The Approach 7 Water Quality Control Field Efforts 8 Development of an Instructional Sequence 9 Selecting Instructional Media . . 12 Advantages of this Approach 14 Instructional Media Formats 20 References 21 Appendix A 23 Appendix B 25 ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 1 Summary During the last few decades, instructional tech- nologists have developed more effective systems for improving the performance of trainees after progressing through a training situation. Cur- riculum developers and instructors in the water quality control field have just begun to use these techniques. To promote the use of these techniques and the sharing of instructional materials, a system is proposed which includes a worksheet which will standardize the produc- tion of lesson plans. Use of this worksheet will enable developers and instructors to share their ideas and products. Selecting the appro- priate medium for various instructional sequences can lower costs and increase learning. A pro- cedure for selecting appropriate instructional media is described. ------- 2 - VOLUME IV Recommendations 1. Establishment of a systematic procedure for the development of curricula and instructional media in the water quality control field should be undertaken inme- diately by governmental (local, state, and federal), professional and educational organizations. 2. A clearinghouse for assisting with develop- ment and sharing of materials should be established. 3. A standardized worksheet (as suggested in this report) should be adopted to encourage the development of high quality instruc- tional programs and to promote the sharing of efforts. 4. Standardized procedures for development of instructional materials (as suggested in this report) should be adopted to improve the quality of instructional materials in use and to promote uniformity in audio- visual equipment used in instructional programs. 5. Standards should be set and used to evalu- ate proposed programs concerned with instructional material development, cur- ricula development and training sponsored by governmental, professional and educa- tional organizations. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 3 Glossary (Definition of terms used in this report) Term Affective Audio Tape Audio Tape Recorder Audio-Visual Equipment Cognitive Curriculum Diazo Process Filmstrip Instructional Materials Instructional Medium Instructional Package Definition A type of learning that pertains primarily to values, A polyester or mylar base tape with a magnetic oxide coating capable of recording and reproducing sound when used with an audio recorder/player. Audio tape is available in a number of different sizes (widths) and formats: 1/4-inch reel, 1/8-inch cassette, or 1/4-inch cartridge. A piece of equipment capable of recording and repro- ducing sound using a magnetic oxide tape. Equipment which presents materials either aurally, visually, or both. Audio-visual equipment is often referred to as hardware. A type of learning that pertains primarily to facts. A course of study involving a number of different subjects. A method of producing images on a treated paper or an acetate base. Ultraviolet light exposes a drawing or lettering on the treated film or paper. Aimtonia vapor develops the unexposed portions of the image. The color of the image is determined by the special coatings on the paper or film. This process is used to produce blueprints and overhead transparencies. Images on a clear acetate base which are viewed by having light projected through them. Several images are on one piece of film. Usually the film is 35mm in width and the images, either black-and-white or color, are normally arranged vertically on the film. Printed matter, slides, tapes, models, films, or actual objects which are used as a direct part of the teaching/learning process. Instructional mate- rials are often referred to as software. The combination of instructional materials and audio-visual equipment. A 3Snm slide used in a slide projector establishes the medium of the 35mm slide. Materials necessary to accomplish a selected portion of training. The package may include lecture notes, outline, printed text, 35mm slides, audio tapes, video tapes, films, etc., or any combination of the above. ------- 4 - VOLUME IV Term Definition Instructional Resources Lecture Microforme Materials Microforme Reader Motion Pictures Motion Picture Projector Overhead Transparencies Printed Materials Psychomotor Sijnulation (noun) Simulation (Verb) Slides The complete spectrum of facilities, equipment, materials, and personnel involved in preparing, presenting, and evaluating instruction. A class taught by an individual relying primarily on the spoken word reinforced by body movement and gestures and simple chalkboard illustrations. Photographic miniatures of printed text, line drawings, and full tonal photographs. Microforme may be in filmstrip sizes, 35mm 16mm, and 8mm; or microfiche (4x6-inch sheet of film containing many images). A piece of equipment capable of displaying in legible size, printing, drawings, and photographs reduced to a microforme format. Microforme formats include 35nm, 16mm, and microfiche (4"x6"). Some microforme readers are capable of handling more than one format. A series of still images photographically applied to a strip of film capable of producing the illusion of full motion when used in a motion picture projector. Motion pictures may or may not have sound or color. A number of different film sizes are used in instruc- tion. The primary sizes are 16mm (width), 8mm (width), and Super 8mm (width and increased image size). Motion pictures are often packaged in a variety of ways: for reel-to-reel use, Super 8mn cartridge use, etc. A piece of equipment capable of projecting a moving image from a piece of motion picture film. Some projectors are capable of reproducing sound in addi- tion to projecting visual images. Different models of motion picture projectors are designed to handle various film sizes, for example, 8mn, Super 8mm, 16mn, and 3Smn. Normally, a motion picture projector can handle only one film size. 8"xl0" or 10"xl0" sheets of film capable of carrying an image (full tonal photographs, line drawings, or lettering). Overhead transparencies are used with overhead projectors and may be in full color, single color, or black-and-white. (Two popular ways to produce overhead transparencies are through use of the diazo ot the thermal processes.) Words and pictures printed on good but not highest quality paper stock (i.e., a workbook) designed for one receiver at a time. (Usually printed materials do not involve color pictures unless high volumes are justified.) A type of learning that pertains primarily to physical skills. Any device or model which can provide a three- dimensional representation of the actual equipment or device which would be found "on the job." The act or process or pretending certain conditions exist. Various disorders are simulated in training situations in order to teach the proper response to trainees. Small pieces of film capable of storing photographic images which are viewed by light transmitted through the film base. The photographic images may be 35mn, 126mm, or other sizes of film, which are usually mounted in plastic or cardboard frames with an over- all dimension of 2"x2". (Even filmstrips classify as slides using this basic definition. However, instead of mounting the images individually in small frames, the images are mounted on a flexible piece of short film.) ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 5 Term Slide/Tape Still Transparency Projector Synchronizing Equipment Television Thermal Process Video Tape Video Tape Playback Unit Video Tape Recorder Definition Photographic images viewed by light transmitted through a film base and an audio tape related to the images. The images may be on 35mm slides, 126mm slides, or other sizes, or even in filmstrip form. The slides are usually in color but do not have to be. The audio tape may be in reel or cassette format and may be synchronized with the slides through the use of an inaudible tone which changes the slides automatically or through an audible tone which indi- cates to the operator that a change should be made. Equipment capable of projecting an image from a piece of photographic, diazo, or thermal film. Different models of still transparency projectors would be capable of handling different size transparencies, such as 10"xl0" slides, 35mm slides, 35mm filmstrips, and 16mm filmstrips. Usually a projector is capable of handling only one size of film. Equipment used to coordinate slide and sound presen- tations. Usually a stereo audio tape recorder contains the aural presentation on one channel and the slide changer signals on the other channel. A connecting device advances the slides according to the signals on the audio channel. Images displayed on a television receiver. Sources for the images may be "live" (i.e., using TV cameras to transmit images of performers in a studio or a remote setting), video tape, or film. A method of producing images on treated paper or an acetate base. The exposure of the drawing or lettering on the base material is made by a heating element, usually a bright light-tube. Since there is no "de- veloping" of the image in the thermal process, the process is faster than the diazo method of producing transparencies. However, thermal transparencies do not have the detail or the brilliant color of diazo transparencies. A polyester or mylar base tape with a magnetic oxide coating capable of reproducing television images and sounds when used with a video tape recorder/player. Equipment capable of displaying television pictures and sounds recorded cm magnetic tape. Equipment capable of recording television pictures and sound onto magnetic tape. Normally, video tape recorders are also capable of playing back recorded materials. ------- 6-VOLUME IV Instructional Technology Available Persons involved in training/education efforts in the water quality control field are for the most part using the same in- structional techniques and systems that were used in initial efforts. Over the years improvements have been made in instructional materials, but this usually was done on a local basis for a particular program or state effort. During the last decade some instruc- tional materials have gained widespread usage. However, little has been done to establish instructional systems that have wide-scale application. A recent report by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, 1972, entitled The Fourth Revolution—Instructional Technology in Higher Education pointed out that devel- opments in electronics are bringing about a fourth revolution in education and that perhaps, by the year 2000, approximately 80 percent of the educational efforts in the water quality control field will make use of a variety of electronic media such as radio, television, tape recorders, and computers. These new techniques are already widely used in research in the water quality control field and are fast finding application in the administration of programs and storage and retrieval of data. The addition of this new instructional technology will make in- struction available in a host of formats for individuals or large groups, in remote areas or in densely populated areas. The new electronics with the most potential are cable TV, video cassettes, computer-assisted instruction, and learning kits to be used with audio-visual independent study units. To develop the most efficient and economical system will require cooperative efforts on the part of government, industry, the edu- cational community, and professional organi- zations . Hie potential use of a wide range of electronic media clearly indicates the need for a system to effectively incorporate the instructional materials (see Volume II: Instructional Materials Available of this series) and audio-visual equipment (see Volume I: Audio- visual Equipment on Hand of this series) into learning systems that will produce trainees with the desired learning outcomes. The system must accommodate constant re-evalua- tion and updating. Instructional technologists have been very active during the past decade in applying the earlier research of behavioral psychology to the design of instructional systems. The listing of the resources available (Appendix A, page 23) is a possible starting point for use by the water quality control profession as it begins a systematic development of an instructional system to meet its needs. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 7 The Approach The development of an instructional sequence (Figure 1) is based on behavioral or per- formance objectives. Initially, ©the desired knowledge and skill level (entering behavior) of the trainee must be determined. This will indicate to the potential trainee whether he is ready for the instructional sequence, and if not, where his weaknesses lie and what remedial work he must seek. Next, a statement of behavioral objectives (2) indicates to the trainee the new know- ledge and skills he will possess upon cranpletion of the instructional sequence1 (3). These behavioral statements also guide the instructional sequence developer in limiting the instructional sequence to material relevant to the objectives. The instructional sequence is an arrangement of text, slides, movies, problems, experiments, or whatever helps the student accomplish the objectives with the greatest speed and to the desired level of achievement. This is the heart of the instructional system. The evaluation instrument (4), which is based on the objectives, indicates to both the trainee and the instructor whether the ob- jectives have been mastered. Feedback (5), indicated by the dotted lines, is an important aspect of the system, as it is the best way to decide whether the program accomplishes its mission, and if well done, it can lead to an improvement of the in- structional sequence, as well as help main- tain relevance and efficiency in the entire system. ENTER © © © Statement of Entering Behavior " Statement of Behavioral Objectives " Instructional Sequence « Evaluation Instrument " Feedback 1 - - 4 - - -i EXIT Figure 1. Development of an Instructional Sequence 'Montague and Koran (1969) define a behavioral objectives as "a goal for, or desired outcome of, learning which is ex- pressed in terms of observable behavior or performance of the learner." ------- 8-VOLUME IV Water Quality Control Field Efforts The water quality control field is not without efforts in applying some of the techniques of educational technology to solution of its instructional problems. In 1969 a conference was held to bring together educational tech- nologists and instructional personnel in the water quality control field (Austin and Kesler, 1969). A series of papers followed describing various applications of instruc- tional technology aimed at solving instruc- tional problems in the water quality control field. These articles were Austin et al., 1970; Redekopp and Austin, 1971; Reynolds and Austin, 1972; Austin, 1972; and Jackson and Bentley, 1973. In 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency awarded funds to Clemson University to develop a two-year curriculum for wastewater treatment plant operators. The proposed curriculum is described in two volumes, EPA and Clemson, 1971, 1973. Brief descriptions of the entire curriculum are given in Reynolds and Austin, 1972, and Lukco, Bela and Austin, 1973. Examples of instruc- tional materials based on this proposed curriculum have been prepared by the Ministry of the Environment in Ontario, Canada (Bourque, 1972 and 1973) ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 9 Development of An Instructional Sequence An effective instructional program is measured by the ease with which the learner accomplishes the tasks described in the program. An efficient instructional pro- gram is one that minimizes the time and resources necessary to make that transition from learner to performer. To facilitate the design of an instructional program, an instructional package worksheet (page 11) has been designed based upon a blend of many concepts developed by instructional technologists. The critical step in the development of an instructional objective is identifying the tasks required to perform a job under a given set of conditions to establish standards. The instructional package allows the instruc- tor the freedom to determine the path of instruction instead of the situation where subject matter curriculum dictates instruc- tion. The general instructional objectives are justified based upon task analysis and then more specific instructional behaviors are identified. and developers who are new to the field, a section on Selecting Instructional Media has been included in this volume. The in- formation in this section will provide guidance to the developer on what type of instructional media will best accomplish the transfer of information or the develop- ment of skills in the trainee. The instructional package worksheet guides the curriculum developer and instructor in isolating each activity that the trainee must perform. The rationale behind each item on the worksheet is given on page 10. Use of these worksheets is included in a number of instructional system development projects now, and more information on what is available can be obtained from the authors. Workshops are planned for persons desiring to implement this approach in their instructional material development efforts. It is planned that material developed in this foimat will be made available to interested persons. In order to improve the instructional process and to share innovative techniques with others, the worksheet has an entry for SUGGESTED MEDIA under INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES. The purpose of this entry is to give the profession an indication of needs for in- structional techniques that have not yet been developed. To give guidance to instructors ------- 10-VOLUME IV EXPLANATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE WORKSHEET SUBJECT MATTER: The broad topic that the worksheet applies to. For instance, Grit Chambers, Fecal Coliform Test or Report Preparation. UNIT OF INSTRUCTION: A small topic, one of several in the broad subject matter area. For instance, the subject matter area of Grit Chambers would have such units of instruction as: terminology, normal operational procedures, emergency operational procedures * start- up procedures, shut-down procedures, preventive maintenance procedures, corrective mainte- nance procedures, sampling procedures, safety procedures, eta. LESSON NUMBER: of : These numbers indicate the number of a particular worksheet and the total number of worksheets making up the designated subject matter category. ESTIMATED TIME: The time required for a trainee to meet ihe accepted performance level indicated below. Includes time for instruction, practice, and evaluation. JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE: Why are you preparing this instructional objec- tive; why is this behavior required by the learner. ENTRY LEVEL BEHAVIOR: List skills and knowledge trainee must possess prior to receiving instruction for terminal behavior listed below. A. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE: 1. TERMINAL BEHAVIOR--/! statement that describes what the learner will do upon completion of instruction. Action verbs—write, operate, open, close, differentiate, calculate, analyze, discriminate, sample, eta. 2. CONDITIONS--£iat the important conditions (givensrestrictions) under which the learner will be expected to demonstrate his competence, (a) location—plant, lab, classroom; (b) environment—weather, lighting; (a) givens, limitations—range of colors, leans, Federal, State, county, list of D.O. instruments, budget, safety. 3. ACCEPTED PERPOFMANCE--Indicates haw well the trainee must perform, (a) time limit; (b) percent correct (number correct); (c) what the product must look like; (d) deviation limits. B. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES: 1. AVAILABLE MEDIA--Instructional materials currently available to you (slides, transparencies, movies, plants, etc.) 2. SUGGESTED MEDIA--Instructional materials required or essential for this instructional unit but not available or developed. C. INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH (SEQUENCING): Step-by-step listing of instructional events and/or use of media required to reach the instructional objective. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 11 INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGE WORKSHEET SUBJECT MATTER: UNIT OF INSTRUCTION: LESSON NUMBER: of ESTIMATED TIME: JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE: ENTRY LEVEL BEHAVIOR: A. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE: 1. TERMINAL BEHAVIOR 2. CONDITIONS 3. ACCEPTED PERFORMANCE B. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES: 1. AVAILABLE MEDIA 2. SUGGESTED MEDIA C. INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH (SEQUENCING): ------- 12 - VOLUME IV Selecting Instructional Media The term "instructional media" refers to a set of instructional materials or "software" and audio- visual equipment or "hardware" used together. For example, a 35mm slide or set of slides would be instructional material. A 35mm slide pro- jector would be an item of audio-visual equipment. Using the slides and the projector together establishes the medium of the 35mm slide. The goal of training should be for students to achieve specified learning objectives most effi- ciently. Proper use of instructional media will aid the instructor and the student in achieving greater efficiency. Usually efficiency is taken to mean "at lowest cost per student." Efficiency might also be interpreted in light of those types of instruction from which the student retains information longer. While this study is con- cerned with learning efficiency in the broadest sense, research findings on media comparisons in the area of retention are sketchy and vague. Therefore, the primary criterion for selecting "efficient" media is based principally on the lowest cost medium which will accomplish the objective for a given sequence of instruction. A number of studies have recommended procedures for selecting the most appropriate media for instruction. Instructional Media: A Procedure for the DeBign of Multi-Media Instruction (Briggs, et al., 1967) is one of several reports examined for this study. To simplify the selec- tion procedures, a Worksheet for Selecting Media (page 19) is suggested here which borrows a great deal from previous researchers and yet can be applied directly to instructional situations in water quality control programs. Utilizing Table 1 Steps in Selecting the Appropriate Media for Training, which relates to the worksheet, and referring to Tables 2, 3, and 4, the instructor, with little formal training in media selection and use, should be able to make media choices which will be similar to those of the media specialist. The Worksheet for Selecting Media (page 19) forces the instructor to answer a series of eight questions. The questions relate to objectives, type of learning, senses used, relationship of media to message content, media cost, minimm class size, and presentation mode (Tosti and Ball, 1969). Examples using this worksheet are given in Appendix B, pages 25. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 13 TABLE 1 STEPS IN SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE MEDIA FOR TRAINING* 1. State the new behavior the student is to exhibit after the learning experience. 2. Classify this new behavior: (a) cognitive, (b) affective, (c) psychomotor. (If the new behavior involves combinations of these types of behavior, rank them in order of importance.) See Table 4 for assistance in classifying the new behavior. 3, Referring to Table 2, select the media which indicate greatest suitability (good to excellent) for this type of learning. List them in order of production costs with lowest cost first. 4. State which of the senses the student uses to exhibit this new behavior. (If more than one sense is involved, rank them in order of importance.) S. Indicate the media in Step 3 which are lowest in cost and, where possible, which present information through the same senses the student will use when exhibiting the new behavior. 6. Select the medium from those listed in Step 5 which you can use most easily with your presentation facilities. 7. Is this mediun suited for the kind(s) of presentation mode(s) for which this learning is designed? If not, select the next medium which meets this requirement and which is lowest in cost and most easily available to you. 8.* Referring to Table 3 (audience ratios), determine whether your total audience for the life of this training package meets or exceeds the minimum audience for the medium selected. If your total audience does not meet the minimum size, select the next most suitable medium with the appropriate minimum class size for this training. *Step 8 is applicable only if you are deciding whether to produce new training materials. If you are selecting from existing materials, use Steps 1 through 7 only. ------- 14-VOLUME IV Tables 2, 3, and 4 are primary references for the instructor using the worksheet to assist him in media selection. Table 2, Media Costs and Content Suitabilities, compares the production and duplication costs for the various media; the media's ability to handle certain types of materials; and the senses the learner uses in receiving the information through a particular medium (Kranz, 1972). While no comparisons are asked on the worksheet between production and duplication costs, this information can be important to the instructor who is concerned with repeating a particular block of instruction for a number of classes. For example, using the medium of a lecture before a single class may be the practical approach for certain types of presentations. However, if that same material is to be repeated for 10 to 20 classes, it is obvious that using a lecturer each time is not very economical. Among media specialists, Table 2 will probably raise points of discussions because it makes a number of broad assumptions concerning suita- bility of various media for different types of content. The ratings assigned to the various media are based not on formal research findings, but on several individuals' broad experience in the field. Even they are quick to admit that there are exceptions to these assumptions. This table and the others presented in this section of the report are intended to be used as guides only. An instructor may legitimately plan an instruc- tional message for a medium which the table indicates is poorly suited for it. However, if an instructor does propose such a plan, he should be able to thoroughly justify ignoring these guidelines. As an instructor becomes more experienced in using various instructional media in given training situations, hopefully he will begin to make his own evaluations about which media are more effec- tive than others. Eventually, an instructor may change some of the values assigned to the media in Table 2. The authors encourage such re- evaluations, provided they are based on first- hand experience and not on warmed-over biases. Table 3, Audience Ratios, should be used to help an instructor determine whether he will use pro- ductions in a particular medium enough to justify their costs. Assuming that the cost to prepare and deliver a lecture to a class one time is one unit, the other media are assigned a ratio accor- ding to the extra time and expenses involved in producing for those individual media. For example, if the minimum total audience for a lecture in a certain instructional situation is 10, then the minimum number of people who must see a video tape on a particular subject in that training situation is 2,300. Of course, it may take two years or more for 2,300 people to view the video tape. If during that time more than 4,000 people see the video tape, then obviously its per student or per viewer cost becomes lower than the lecture. One of the media listed in Table 3 which shares some of the same conmunicatians characteristics as television and motion pictures is slide/tape. This medium relates sound on audio tape to still color pictures on 2"x2" transparencies. Of course, slide/tape lacks full motion, an important characteristic of television and motion pictures; however, slide/tape is considerably cheaper and much easier to produce than either video tape or film. Table 4, Classifying Objectives, is designed to assist the instructor in classifying his objectives in one of three learning areas: cognitive, affec- tive, or psychomotor (Koran, et al¦, 1969). (See Glossary for definitions.) Examples of the various areas are given. When going through the steps to select the appro- priate medium for a given training situation, it is easy to assume that a given objective will best be met by using a single medium. Usually, one behavioral objective will involve several different types of learning; some cognitive along with some psychomotor, etc. Therefore, suitable combinations of appropriate media will usually result in more effective learning. For example, in trying to meet a behavioral objective which involves both cog- nitive and psychomotor learning, the instructor may discover that the main thrust of his presentation will be most effective on 35mm slides, but that he also needs a short television presentation to demonstrate some of the physical movements involved. ADVANTAGES OF THIS APPROACH One way to insure widespread use of audio-visual materials is for the agency responsible for their production to determine that the materials cover suitable subject areas and are produced in the most widely acceptable formats. Further studies regarding evaluation of existing instructional materials as recommended in Volume II in this re- port series will help point out subject areas which should receive attention with regard to new audio- visual productions. The results of the equipment survey (Volume I of this series) indicate the most widely owned pieces of audio-visual equipment are the 2"x2" slide projector and the monaural cassette recorder. Ranking third is the overhead trans- parency projector. Producing instructional materials in slide, slide/ tape, monaural cassettes, and overhead transparency formats would insure that most of the target users have the appropriate display equipment available to them. Another advantage is that these media are moderately low in production and duplication costs. The 2"x2" slides and overhead transparencies also allow tremendous flexibility of presentation for the local instructor. For instance, using a set of nationally produced slides as his basic instructional material, the instructor might shoot slides of cer- tain facilities in his geographic region which could be related to the national slides as local examples. Also, overhead transparencies covering various con- cepts and procedures could be supplemented with locally produced transparencies which the instructor uses to expand on topics and examples. Audio cassettes are another medium offering great flexibility for both national and local produc- tion. Nationally known guest speakers on audio cassette are easy to schedule for the smallest class at the remotest location. Basic concepts on audio cassettes with simple printed illustra- tions often can be used as individualized learning packets for students needing remedial work or review that is out of schedule with the normal training program. While overhead transparencies do not readily lend themselves to individualized usage, 2"x2" slides do. Therefore, of the four most popular media three are suitable for both group and individualized instruction. Obviously, there are some disadvantages to pro- ducing materials in these four media. According ------- TABLE 2 MEDIA COSTS AND CONTENT SUITABILITIES MEDIA PRODUCTION DUPLICATION PRESENTATION SUITABLE CONTENT SENSES USED2 COSTS COSTS MDDES Cognitive Affective Psychomotor Printed Materials very low very low individual 'Excellent 'Fair Good Sight Lecture low high group Fair 'Good Poor Sight-Hearing Audio tape low low groip or individual 1Poor 'Fair 'Poor Hearing Slides low low group or individual Good Good Good Sight Overhead transparency mod. low low group 1Good 'Fair Fair Sight-Hearing Slides/tape 2mod. low low group or individual 'Good 'Good Excellent Sight-Hearing Television high mod. low group or individual Fair 'Excellent 'Excellent Sight-Hearing Motion Pictures very high mod. low group or individual Fair 'Excellent 'Excellent Sight-Hearing Sisulation very high very high individual 1Good 'Good 'Excellent Sight-Hearing Smell-Touch Body movement 1Kranz (1972). 2Carnegie Commission on Higher Education (1972). ------- 16-VOLUME IV to Table 2 on content suitabilities of the various media, audio tape, overhead transparencies, and slide/tape rank lowest in their ability to handle all three areas of behavioral domain. With the exception of an Excellent for slide/tape in the psychomotor domain, these media never rate higher than Good. However, when these media are used along with other media, such as lecture or printed text, the weak aspects of one can be off- set by strengths of the other. Certain media, such as overhead transparencies, are almost always used along with other media. The lecture and overhead transparencies are natural partners. Simulation is another medium that usually demands support: lecture, audio tape, printed materials, etc. The more expensive, more complex media of tele- vision and motion pictures should not be ignored. However, certain limitations should govern their use. High quality video tapes and films generally must be shown to large audiences to justify their initial expense. In many situations this means the productions must be used for several years in order to reach the desired number of viewers. Therefore, films and video tapes must contain only a limited amount of information subject to change if they are to remain useful for a reasonable period. Often these media are assigned the role of "motivator." Properly produced, a film or video tape can be highly effective in helping convince an individual why he or she should or should not engage in some activity (Tickton and Kbhn, 1971). Of the two media the motion picture is more diffi- cult and time consuming to produce. However, it is much more suitable for large group showings than video tape. Using a standard 16nm projector, a color motion picture with sound can easily be shown to 300 to 400 people. To present a video tape to the same nimber of people would require 15 to 20 color TV monitors, an elaborate video distribution system, or some very very expensive TV projection equipment. On the other hand, one of the great advantages of video tape is that it can be produced quickly. It is still expensive, because many people and much complicated equipment are involved in the produc- tion, but it can be done rapidly. If the target audience is big enough and available for only a fairly short time, video tape may be the most practical mediun for a number of different training situations. Both motion pictures and video tape rank high in their ability to handle different types of messages. TABLE 3 AUDIENCE RATIOS MEDIA RATE Lecture Audio Tape Printed Material Slides Overhead Transparencies Slide/Tppe Television Motion Pictures Simulation 1 unit* 5 units 8 units 10 units 35 units 50 units 230 units 600 units *The ratio in the right column is the production aoata for instruction produced ill the various media divided by the per student oost of lecture instruction. In order to keep per student ooate equal, total audiences for the various media must be as indicated by the ratios. (See text for further explanation.) **Because of extreme variations in type of simulations used in instruction, no standard cost figures are available. "Miller (1970). ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 17 TABLE 4 CLASSIFICATION OF OBJECTIVES TYPE OF LEARNING EXPLANATION EXAMPLES Cognitive Knowledge and understanding, recalling concepts and prin- ciples, processing data and facts. Defining technical terms such as weir overflow rate, activated sludge process, flow rate. Define ways of expressing hydraulic, chemical and bio- logical loading parameters. List the Federal and State laws applicable in classifying a body of water. Describe the procedure for a lab analysis. Write an equation for a line cm a log-log plot. Predict the change in suspended solids removal of a sedimentation tank with a doubling of flow rate. Describe the interrelationships between concentration of BOD, flow rate, temperature, and organism concen- tration on BOD removal in an activated sludge system. Produce a report with text, graphs, tables, and calcu- lations describing the impact of a certain industrial discharge to a municipal treatment system. Evaluate a consultant's report by comparing its recommendations against texts, articles, regulations, other persons' experience, and other reports. Affective Refers to value, attitude, feeling, and appreciation. Psychomotor Ability to coordinate muscular movement with sensory perception. Develops an awareness for the proper attire and language for various levels of professional interactions. Appreciation (tolerance) of views exhibited by individuals from other groups representing divergent technical, polit- ical, social, and economic views on environmental matters. Meets deadlines in work assignments. Acquaints himself with rules and regulations of organiza- tion. Assumes responsibility in leadership of employees under his jurisdiction. Forms judgements as to his responsibility in organizing work assignments and maintaining quality of effort from his work group. Develops plans for organizing activities to accomplish objectives of his work group. Evaluates problems arising in a work situation in terms of situation, materials, time and personalities involved, rather than in terms of fixed dogmatic ideas or wishful thinking. Move a compressed gas cylinder from a loading dock to lab by truck or by rolling. Titrate a sample with a buret. Operate a front-end loader. Repack a centrifugal punp. Be able to use facial expressions, gestures, and body movements effectively in connunicating a message. Be able to convey an oral messi an equipment room with the si with 95 percent conprehension to another person in level at 70 decibels Wan, etal., 1969. ------- 18-VOLUME IV EXPLANATION FOR WORKSHEET FOR SELECTING MEDIA Example #1 1. New behavior: Describe new behavior from behavioral objectives. 2. Classification of new behavior: Refer to Table 4 to determine which of three categories of learning is most appropriate. 3. Media suitable for this type of learning: Refer to Table 2 and list those media excellent and good for the type(si of learning selected in Step 2. List media with lowest costing media first. 4. Sense used to exhibit new behavior: Refer to the behavioral objective to determine sense used. In this example, the trainee makes a discrimination between colors of wastewater; therefore, the sense used is sight. (Example is shown on page 26.) 5. Medium lowest in cost: In this example, both printed materials and color slides are selected from Table 2. 6. Medium most easily produced and used locally: This response depends on the production facilities in the local training situation. In our example, offset printing and color slides are both locally produced, but there is no color available in the local offset printing 80 it will be necessary to use the two media together to achieve both an excellent medium for cog- nitive learning (printed materials) and color (color slides). 7. Suitable for presentation modes: Refer to Table 2 and note that printed materials are suitable for individual presentation and slides ewe suitable for both individual and group presentations. In this example, both presentation modes will be used. The group presentation with the color slides and individual handout sheets with printed data. 8. Minimum total audience for selected medium: Referring to Table 3, we find that the minimum total audience for printed materials is 8 units and for color slides it is 10 units. Since we 're using both media, we add both minimum audiences together. Since the unit in our example is 10 (this is the smallest audience we would have for a lecture), we must multiply 18 x 10 ~ 180 to get the minimum total audience for a color slide and printed material presentation. In part (b) of Step 8, the maximum total audience which is anticipated for this lesson is requested. In this example, 2S0 students are expected to participate in this training. Since the maximum total audience anticipated for the training is larger than the minimum total audience required by the selected media, our selection of media is economically sound. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS -19 WORKSHEET FOR SELECTING MEDIA PRODUCTION PROCEDURE 1. New behavior: 2. Classification of new behavior: (If more than one type of learning is involved, rank them in order of importance.) Cognitive Affective Psychomotor 3. Media suitable for this type of learning (from Table 2): 4. Sense used to exhibit new behavior: (If more than one sense is involved, rank them in order or importance.) Sight Hearing Smell Touch Body movement 5. Medium lowest in cost (Table 2): Presentation through same sense as exhibited behavior. 6. Medium most easily produced and used locally: 7. Suitable for presentation modes: Group ¦ Individual 8.* (a) Minimun total audience for selected medium (Table 3): (b) Maximum total audience for this training: If (a) is larger than (b), select next most appropriate median. "Step 8 is applicable only if you are deciding whether to produce new training materials. If you are selecting from existing materials, use steps 1 through 7 only. ------- 20-VOLUME IV INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA FORMATS Utilizing the media selection procedures outlined in this report would provide training programs in EPA and other water quality control organizations with greater accountability for their training dollar. Implementing these recommendations might occur through three major steps: 1. Provide instructor training in the use of these media selection procedures. 2. Develop and prepare a guide for instruc- tors using these media selection principles. 3. Evaluate all EPA training grants to determine whether sound media selection procedures are being used. Also, future studies on proper utilization of instructional media might well include a set of standards for the more popular audio-visual media. Minimum letter size is a problem in art for different media. A firm limit for each of the media used in EPA training could be estab- lished to insure uniformity of materials produced at different centers. For example: 1. Slides—standard 35mm color full frame format, either plastic or cardboard mounts. Letter height to be no less than 1/64 inch. 2. Overhead transparencies--standard 8 x 10-inch transparency mounted on cardboard or plastic. Original lettering and drawings to be on 8 1/2 x 11-inch artist tracing paper. Letter height to be no less than 1/4 inch, line width to be less than 1/64 inch. 3. Audio tape--master to be on 1/4-inch tape, half track recorder at either 7 1/2 i.p.s. or 3 and 3/4 i.p.s. 4. Motion pictures—master should be color 16mm with an optical sound track. 5. Video tape--master to be on high band color quadraplex 2-inch video tape. Distribution of the audio-visual materials may not be in these formats; however, these standards for the master would allow distribution in almost any popular format in use today and anticipated for the future. For instance, duplicating a high band color quadraplex video tape onto a U-Matic cassette or to a half-inch reel or cartridge results in a duplicate of outstanding quality. Likewise, reproducing a 16nm color film as a super 8mm cartridge film is much simpler than trying to go the other way. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 21 References Austin, John H. 1972. "Educational Systems for Plant Operators." Water Research. 6:601-604. Austin, John H. and John Kesler. Eds. 1969. Educational Systems for Operators of Water Pollution Control Facilities, Conference Proceedings. Clemson University. 411p, Austin, John H., W. M. McLellon, and J. C. Dyer. 1970. "Training the Environmental Technician." American Journal of Public Health. 60:2314- 2320. Bourque, Jacuqes L. Ed. 1972. Basic Gas Chlorination Workshop Manual (3rd ed.). Ministry of the Environment, Toronto, Ontario. Bourque, Jacques L. Ed. 1973. Activated Sludge Process—Analyses and Interpretation Workshop Manual (3rd ed.). Ministry of the Environ- ment, Toronto, Ontario. Briggs, Leslie J. et al. 1967. Instructional Media: A Procedure for the Design of Multi- Media Instruction, A Critical Review of Re- search and Suggestions for Future Research. American Institutes for Research, Pittsburgh, PA. 176p. Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. 1972. The Fourth Revolution—Instructional Technology in Higher Education. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Highstown, NJ. HOp. Environmental Protection Agency and Clemson Uni- versity. 1973. Program Implementation Procedures. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. 43p. Environmental Protection Agency and Clemson. Uni- versity. 1971. Criteria for the Establish- ment and Maintenance of Two Year Poet High School Wastewater Technology Training Pro- grams, Volume II: Curriculum Guidelines. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. 637p. Koran, John J., Jr., Earl J. Montague, and Gene E. Hall. 1969. How to Use Behavioral Objec- tives in Science Instruction. National Science Teachers Association, Washington, DC. pp. 1-11. Kranz., Stewart. 1972. Personal communication, Videorecord Seminar, December 12, 1972, Atlanta, GA. Lukco, B. J., M. K. Bela, and J. H. Austin. December 1973. "A Performance Oriented Wastewater Tech- nology Program." Water and Sewage Works. 120:12:30,31,34. Miller, James G. 1970. Deciding Whether and How to Use Educational Technology in the Light of Cost-Effective Evaluation. Academy of Edu- cational Development, Inc., Washington, DC. Montague, Earl J. and J. J. Koran. 1969. "Be- havioral Objectives and Instructional Design: An Elaboration." TST Forum, The Science Teacher, 36:10. Redekopp, A. B. and John H. Austin. 1971. "Systems Approach to Training." Journal American Water WorkB Association. 63:743-746. Reynolds, Robert L. and John H. Austin. 1972. Role of Instructional Technology in the Solution to Environmental Pollution." Pro- ceedings, Institute of Environmental Sciences Tutorial, pp. 73-84. Tickton, Sidney G. and Sherwood D. Kbhn. 1971. The New Instructional Technologies: Are They Worth It? Academy for Educational Development, Inc., Washington, DC. Tosti, Donald T. and John R. Ball. 1969. "A Behavioral Approach to Instructional Design and Media Selection." AV Communications Review. Washington, DC. Jackson, Velrna L. and Eugene M. Bentley, III. 1973. "Evaluation of Techniques Used in Training Environmental Laboratory Tech- nicians." American Laboratory. 5:2:85-86, 88-92. ------- 22-VOLUME IV ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 23 Appendix A Resources available on instructional system development ------- 24 - VOLUME IV Anon. 1969. Training Methodology. Part I: Background Theory and Research—An Annotated Bibliography. PHS Pub. No. 1862, Part I. USGPO, Washington, DC. 90p. $1.00 Anon. 1969. Training Methodology. Part II: Planning and Administration. PHS Pub. No. 1862, Part II. USGPO, Washington, DC. 119p. $1.00 Anon. 1969. Training Methodology. Part III: Instructional Methods and Techniques. PHS Pub. No. 1862, Part III. USGPO, Washington, DC. lOOp. $1.00 Anon. 1969. Training Methodology. Part IV: Audiovisual Theory, Aids, and Equipment. PHS Pub. No. 1862, Part IV. USGPO, Washington, DC. 80p. $0.75 Baker, R. L. and. R. E. Schultz. Eds. 1971. Instructional Product Development. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York. 264p. $7.95 Boucher, Brian G. etal. 1971. A Selection System and Catalog for Instructional Media and Devices, Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Bethpage, New York. Bretz, Rudy. 1971. A Taxonomy of Comnuniaation Media. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Briggs, Leslie J. 1970. Handbook of Procedures for the Design of Instruction. American Institutes for Research, Pittsburgh, PA. 206p. $5.50 Briggs, Leslie J. 1968. Sequencing of Instruction in Relation to Hierarchies of Competence. American Institute for Research, Pittsburgh, PA. 132p. $4.50 Briggs, Leslie J.,et al. 1967. Instructional Media: A Procedure for the Design of Multi-Media Instruction, A Critical Review of Research and Suggestions for Future Research. American Institutes for Research, Pittsburgh, PA. 176p. $4.50 Butler, F. Coit. 1972. Instructional Systems Development for Vocational and Technical Training. Educational Technology Pub. Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 360p. Creager, Joan G. and D. L. Murray. Eds. 1971. The Use of Modules in College Biology Teaching. American Institute of Biological Sciences. Washington, DC. 173p. Free Drumheller, Sidney J. 1973. "Competency Based Instructional Systems and Human Facilitators: Confessions of a Module Writer." Educational Technology. 13:9-14. Drumheller, Sidney J. 1971. Handbook of Curriculum Design for Individualised Instruction—A Systems Approach. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 103p. $8.95 Durney, Carl H. 1973. "Principles of Design and Analysis of Learning Systems." Engineering Education. 64:406-409. Feldhausen, John F. et al. April 1973. "A Three-Stage Model for Course Design." NSPI Newsletter. 12:3:1,3-6. Friesen, Paul A. 1971. Design Instruction: A Systematic of "Systems" Approach Using Programed Instruction as a Model. Friesen, Kaye and Associates, Ltd., Ottawa, Canada. 180p. $6.50 Johnson, Stuart R. and R. B. Johnson. 1970. Developing Individualized Instructional Material. Westinghouse Learning Press, Palo Alto, CA. 108p. $3.75 Kapfer, Mirian B. 1971. Behavioral Objectives in Curriculum Development. Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 400p. $9.95 Klaus, David J. 1969. Instructional Innovation and Individualization. American Institutes for Research, Pittsburgh, PA. 424p. $6.00 Lee, Walter S. 1973. "The Assessment, Analysis and Monitoring of Educational Needs." Educational Technology. 13:28-32. Mann, A. P. and C. K. Brunstrom. Eds. 1969. Aspects of Educational Technology III. Educational Methods, Inc., Chicago, IL. 404p. $6.95 Tolliver, Don L. 1970. A Study of Color in Instructional Materials and Its Effect Upon Learning. Purdue University. Lafayette, IN. Vandermeer, Abram W. 1950. Relative Effectiveness of Instruction by: Films Exclusively, Films Plus Study Guides, and Standard Lecture Methods. Rapid Maes Learning. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 25 Appendix B Example of using worksheet on selecting media ------- 26-VOLUME IV WORKSHEET ON SELECTING MEDIA Example #1 1. New behavior: Trainee will discriminate between colore of wastewater. 2. Classification of new behavior: (If more than one type of learning is involved, rank them in order of inportance.) Cognitive X Affective Psychomotor 3. Media suitable for this type of learning (frctn Table 2): (1) Printed materials (Excellent} (S) Slide/tape (Good) (3) Simulation (Good) 4. Sense used to exhibit new behavior: (If more than one sense is involved, rank them in order of importance.) Sight X_ Hearing Smell Touch Body movement 5. Medium lowest in cost (Table 2): Presentation through same sense as exhibited behavior. (1) Printed material (but no aolor available) (2) Slides (low cost color) 6. Medium most easily produced and used locally: Printed material (offset sheets) 3Snm elides (carousel projector) 7. Suitable for presentation modes: Group Individual 8. (a) Minimun total audience for selected medium (Table 3): (unit is 10) Printed materials 8 units Slides 10 units 18 units = 180 students (b) Maxiraun total audience for this training: 250 students ------- SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS - 27 WORKSHEET ON SELECTING MEDIA Example #2 1. New behavior: Trainee will make immediate operational adjustments required depending on changes in Wastewater. 2. Classification of new behavior: (If more than one type of learning is involved, rank them in order of importance.) Cognitive (1) (Recognizes types of wastewater) Affective Psychomotor (2) (Makes operational adjustment) 3. Media suitable for this type of learning (from Table 2): (a) Cognitive Printed material (Excellent) Slides Slide/Tape Simulation 4. Sense used to exhibit new behavior: Sight Hearing Smell Touch Body movement ( Good) (Good) (Good) (b) Psychomotor Printed material (Good) Slides (Good) Slide/Tape (Excellent) Television (Excellent) Motion Pictures (Exoellent) (If more than one sense is involved, rank them in order of importance.) 5. Medium lowest in cost (Table 2): Presentation through same sense as exhibited behavior. (1) Cognitive—printed materials (2) Psychomotor—alide/tape 6. Medium most easily produced and used locally: (1) Cognitive—printed materials (2) Psychomotor—slide/tape 7. Suitable for presentation modes: (Initially group instruction, then individual study) (1) Printed material suited for individual presentation. (2) Slide/tape suited for both individual and group instruction. 8. (a) Minimum total audience for selected medium (Table 3): (unit ia 10) Printed material 8 units Slide/tape SO unite 58 units " 580 students fb) Maximum total audience for this training: 200 students Maximum size not large enough to justify selected media, go book and select next best medium. (liefer to Step 3.) Slides next most appropriate medium in psychomotor area. Printed material 8 unite Slides 10 unite 18 unite "180 students Acceptable. ------- |