Lessons Learned from Lack of Interactive Media
Interactive media isn’t a new concept in the world. It has been used in the gaming industry for decades but hasn’t been developed in the learning world until recently. The pandemic in 2020 really showed how far behind we are in education, especially development, in interactive media. The two perspectives I witnessed in that experience were completely different.
As an Air Force instructor and curriculum development manager, the classroom lecture learning never stopped during the pandemic. The class size was never decreased and flow of Airmen to train never decreased at all. The Airmen were confined to base but came to class as if everything was normal. Well, besides the masks. Meanwhile, my kids in K-12 were required to stay at home and attend zoom calls for one hour every other day. Work packets were sent via email. The interaction between teacher and student was reduced by over ninety percent. There wasn’t any interactive media developed for students and the result was a huge amount of learning loss that hasn’t been accurately measured. Students need feedback in a timely manner and interactive media resolves the feedback delay (Yang, et al., 2021).
Importance of Feedback with Interactive Media
A good portion of the learning loss created by the pandemic was the lack of feedback or timeliness of feedback. Feedback is also a crucial part in the constructivism push for self-paced learning. Online learning is becoming more and more popular. There must be timely feedback in the learning process. Otherwise, learning will not happen. The feedback must be productive as well. Interactive Media is a great tool in the learning process when developed effectively. According to studies, students appreciate timely feedback and want more feedback throughout the learning process (Smith & Higgins, 2006). Students receive feedback from an instructor in a classroom setting and should receive feedback in an alternate setting as well. Interactive Media can provide the feedback. For example, a student watches a short video the video pauses to ask a question to verify they understood the previous segment. The student answers and is given immediate feedback. A correct response results in positive encouragement. A wrong response could result in various responses depending on the developer. The developer must ensure that feedback accounts for emotional responses of the learner. Negative feedback should still be encouraging in its response and should assist in helping recover confidence (Alastair Irons, 2008).
As a developer for the Air Force, incorporating interactive media is a must. We are using multiple online learning platforms and interactive media will be used. There is no purpose in producing interactive media if there is no value added with feedback. Effective feedback is as important as the lessons being taught and plays an important role in the continuum of learning in the learning ecosystem being built for the trainees in technical school.
Interactive Media and Artificial Intelligence
Interactive media and feedback in learning are important and can be improved even more with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is increasing the capability of important feedback in learning by configuring responses to open ended statements by the learner. Feedback in learning and training modules have been typically in response to responses to multiple choice, true-false, and other limited responses. With AI, the learner can answer open ended questions or respond to scenarios with no limitations. Skillsoft (in video link above), developed training for management skills. The learner is presented a scenario, for example an angry worker, and the learner must type in what he would do in the situation. The AI responds and continues through the scenario until the training is completed. The AI then gives feedback on strengths and weaknesses. As a learner in training developed by Skillsoft, I was impressed. This would be a great tool to use for my courses in development.
Another company, Moth+Flame, has developed Suicide Awareness and Sexual Assault training through Virtual Reality (VR). Their AI system is responsive to the learner’s words used in the very real scenarios presented in the VR. This training is an incredible improvement to the, traditionally, lecture-based training in the Air Force. It brings more meaning than any slide or CBT can do.
The Shift
Interactive media is becoming more and more common place in education across the board. Even students in kindergarten are learning through laptops and media platforms that are incorporating interactive media. Teachers will always be the experts and developers need to give the teachers more tools to effectively transfer knowledge to their students. This shift to interactive media puts pressure on the developer. The school system doesn’t reach all students of all backgrounds. This opportunity to use interactive media to educate students can reach all students.
More schools are going to online learning and research has been done to help the development of these applications. Expert teachers examined learning outcomes, scope of the content, learning activities, and assessment strategies. This resulted in three critical design areas: efficiency, broad to specific details, and processes towards student success. The developer should use interactive media to reach many different learners with different cultural backgrounds. This is an opportunity to strengthen the education system if the development process is done effectively (Engerman & Otto, 2021).
Conclusion
There was a shocking discovery of how far behind our learning development is with the use of technology. The pandemic hurt learning badly because of this. It is important for the developer to utilize every tool possible to enhance learning, not only for a just-in-case a pandemic happens again, but more importantly, to reach every possible learner out there. Interactive media can be a very effective tool when it is developed with thorough research and utilizes input from learners and teachers of all backgrounds. With advancements in VR and AI, there really is no limit on how great interactive media can be.
References
Alastair Irons. (2008). Enhancing learning through formative assessment and feedback. Routledge.
Announcing Skillsoft’s CAISYTM Conversation AI Simulator. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYDbDLMRjW0
Engerman, J. A., & Otto, R. F. (2021). The shift to digital: designing for learning from a culturally relevant interactive media perspective. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(1), 301–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09889-9
Moth+Flame. (2021, November 17). Suicide Prevention Training. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/647020810
Smith, H., & Higgins, S. (2006). Opening classroom interaction: the importance of feedback. Cambridge Journal of Education, 36(4), 485–502. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640601048357
What is Interactive Multimedia | Interactive Multimedia in education | E-Learning Terms. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1pgZv0H_jY
Yang, M., Mak, P., & Yuan, R. (2021). Feedback Experience of Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Voices from Pre-service English Language Teachers. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-021-00618-1
Interactive media plays a significant role in my daily life due to its pervasive presence and the numerous ways it enhances the different aspects of modern living. In today’s interconnected world, interactive media influences individuals’ routines, interactions, entertainment, education, communication, and even work activities. Interactive media platforms such as social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) facilitate communication and connection with my friends, family, and colleagues. These platforms allow me to share updates, photos, videos, and engage in real-time conversations. Through interactive features like comments, likes, shares, and direct messaging, I can stay connected regardless of physical distance.
Interactive media has also revolutionized the way we learn and acquire our knowledge. Educational apps and online platforms offer interactive lessons that cater…
As an individual who gravitates towards video content as a preferred mode of information consumption, the blog post titled "Lessons Learned from Lack of Interactive Media" (Full Sail, 2024) immediately captured my interest. Through a meticulous examination of the research presented therein, I discerned three fundamental engagement principles that warrant attention. These principles, elucidated within the context of the blog encompass the critical significance of feedback, the seamless integration of interactive media, and the imperative of inclusivity in developmental initiatives. Such principles underscore the essence of effective engagement strategies in educational settings, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to optimize learning experiences.
1. The Significance of Feedback
The significance of feedback within the learning paradigm, particularly in online educational…
One of the key lessons learned is the significance of feedback in the learning process. The lack In the blog titled "Lessons Learned from Lack of Interactive Media," several learning engagement principles are highlighted. Here are three key principles that can enhance learning through interactive media:
1. Timely Feedback: The blog emphasizes the importance of feedback in the learning process, particularly in the context of interactive media. Timely feedback is crucial for effective learning, as it helps students understand their progress and make necessary adjustments. Interactive media allows for immediate feedback, such as pausing a video to ask a question and providing instant responses. This real-time feedback encourages student engagement and helps them stay on track.
2. Utilizing Artificial Intelligence…
Motivation and Volition
The interactive media blog post Lessons Learned from Lack of Interactive Media underscores the critical role of feedback and interaction in online learning, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This aligns with the principles of motivation and volition elucidated in Chapter 9 of Reiser and Dempsey (2017), wherein motivation represents the drive to achieve goals, and volition encompasses the ability to persist in the face of obstacles. In the interactive media scenario, learners' motivation to engage with the content is greatly influenced by the immediacy of feedback and the level of interaction offered by the media. Immediate feedback fosters motivation and encourages persistence in learning, especially in remote settings where face-to-face interaction is limited.
Motivational…
Feedback During Online Learning
Our blogger makes some excellent points regarding the importance of feedback for learner engagement, the potential lack of feedback in an online learning program, and how interactive media can fill that need for feedback. As the blog briefly touched on the topic of the negative feedback, I would like to delve a little deeper into that issue. Negative feedback, depending on form, could be construed as a penalty or criticism. Keller and Deimann explain the dangers of a penalty system (Keller & Deimann, 2018, p. 81). Such a system could negatively impact the learner’s confidence in their ability to succeed at the task at hand. Confidence, one of Keller’s principal motivators, is essentially rooted in a…