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Introduction

            When utilizing technology and technological tools, there are ethical elements that must be considered such as safety, security, Copyright, and Fair Use guidelines. Educators must take the proper actions to ensure that the manner in which technology is being practiced is virtuous and principled to be leaders for the students. In addition, educators are responsible for ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills required for using technology in safe and ethical manners.

 

 Instructional Design Principles and Theories

            Confucius:

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

 

           Most individuals learn best by doing, and through personal hands-on experience. The discovery method encourages higher-level thinking, rather than recalling information.  The redesigned learning module requires students to analyze information and develop a deeper understanding of the content. Active involvement during learning provides intrinsic motivation while acquiring critical observation and comparison skills (Newby, Stepich, Lehman, Russell, & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2011, p. 109). Implementing the discovery method in the redesigned learning activities is to provide an opportunity for students to employ critical thinking skills, the opportunity to collaborate with peers, investigate and search for information, decision-making, and the reorganizing existing knowledge. This method ignites student creativity, imagination, judgment, and many other skills that are essential beyond the classroom (Kalathaki, 2015).

The most efficient manner to ensure a learner’s ability is through practice. Skills are refined through practice, and therefore practice is an especially significant component to incorporate into a training/learning activity (Clark & Mayer, 2011).  Practice activities are designed for the learners to obtain the ability, knowledge, and skills to utilize technology with confidence. This can be seen within learning activity 1, which requires the students to practice and exhibit digital literacy skills by evaluating given websites.

               Planning is an essential component for designing instruction and aids for the deliberate inclusion of technological tools that will support all learners. For the particular learning module audio, visuals, and interactive activities are included for all types of students to grasp the material. A teacher’s primary goal is to effectively communicate information to students; therefore the delivery in which information is being communicated plays an important role in the teaching- learning process (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2015).  To excel in class, the student is at the mercy of the instructor's teaching style and must try to adjust to retain and understand given material. Studies suggest that students are found to have a higher level of engagement, maintain positive views, and retain information longer when information is taught to the mirror the student’s learning styles (Moallem, 2007).

              Also incorporated is learning theory, Constructivism, which stresses the learner’s role and responsibility for their learning experience. This learning theory emphasizes that the learner constructs their outcome and knowledge base which centers from their experiences (Partlow, & Gibbs, 2003). The student experience is one in which they take active roles, working collaboratively, and includes multiple perspectives. The learner can develop views based on their understanding of the real world based events, creating a truly authentic experience (Partlow, & Gibbs, 2003). Students do require guidance and expertise from a teacher, though providing freedom cultivates the ability for the learner to develop necessary skills for real-world situations. Constructivism provides the opportunity for the student to think independently and challenge their cognitive abilities which will strengthen critical thinking skills. Creating situations that require higher order thinking skills will prepare students for their future as it is imperative to maintain self-reliance and the ability to reach conclusions on their own.

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