Learners in a Changing Learning Landscape: Reflections from an Instructional Design Perspective

Van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Stoyanov, S. (2008). Learners in a changing learning landscape: Reflections from an instructional design perspective. In J. Visser & M. Visser-Valfrey (Eds.), Learners in a changing learning landscape: Reflections from a dialogue on new roles and expectations (pp. 69-90). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.Both learners and teachers find themselves in a learning landscape that is rapidly changing, along with fast societal and technological developments. This paper discusses the new learning landscape from an instructional design perspective. First, with regard to what is learned, people more than ever need flexible problem-solving and reasoning skills allowing them to deal with new, unfamiliar problem situations in their professional and everyday life. Second, with regard to the context in which learning takes place, learning in technology-rich, informal and professional 24/7 settings is becoming general practice. And third, with regard to the learners themselves, they can more often be characterized as lifelong learners who are mature, bring relevant prior knowledge, and have very heterogeneous expectations and perceptions of learning. High-quality instructional design research should focus on the question which instructional methods and media-method combinations are effective, efficient and appealing in this new learning landscape. Some innovative instructional methods that meet this requirement are discussed

Design with Digital Tools: Using New Media Creatively

Now, you can dive into all aspects of digital design confidently with this vital skill-building resource. Written by noted designer, educator, and author Mark von Wodtke, this new, perfectly timed book delivers ready-to-use professional guidance on the tools that are revolutionizing the design professions. It can help you and your design team use information technology more effectively and also help you engage your clients online. Use this book in your office, or in courses teaching design and the effective use of new media. With scores of examples, methods, strategies, and techniques, Mark von Wodtke hands you everything you need to work your way through 3-D prototyping, virtual reality environments, CAD programs, multimedia, and much more. In addition, you get hands-on help with the nuts-and-bolts of finding free information and images quickly, applying templates and applets, gaining access to detail, libraries, and smoothing workflow with management and collaborative tools