What is eLearning?

eLearning, or electronic learning, is the delivery of learning and training through digital resources. The material is is provided through electronic devices such as computers, tablets and mobile phones that are connected to the internet. (McNamee, P. 2018).

“…traditionally, the internet has been seen as a place where sexual misinformation thrives and harmful sexual paradigms propagate, a new class of educators is trying to change that stigma. By presenting accurate and accessible information combined with the latest advancements in technology, sex education advocates across the country are using eLearning to promote healthy sexual attitudes and pedagogy.” (Heikkela, 2018)

E-Learning opens up a wide range of innovative opportunities which could help to educate children and teenagers to a better knowledge of sexual education. Many children love using technology so it makes sense for a new technological approach to learning is introduced. When a child wants to pick up their tablet and play a game they might decide to jump into an eLearning app too. It’s an easy way to keep them interested and engaged to the learning activities on their screen. The advantages of eLearning is how easily accessible and cost effective it is. You can dive in to the app at any time and pick up where you left off.

Assure Model

ASSURE is an Instructional Design System that focuses more on the learner. The goal is to produce more effective teaching and learning. The Assure Model will help us in creating our App “Let’s Talk” by keeping us focused on the key aspects of a successful E-Learning app. (Kurt, 2015)

• Analyse Learners – To be able to create a suitable learning strategy you must first understand your learners. To gain a greater understanding of the learners we will analyse the learners characteristics.

The general characteristics of our learners are that they range between the ages 8-14 as these are the average ages that children start to go through puberty. There is no particular level of education or previous knowledge that a learner may have as it is unclear to know how much a child knows on the subject, as everyone is different in that regard. They are comfortable using technology for fun as well as educational purposes. They find apps engaging and are curious about what changes their body is about to go through during puberty.

With regards to entry competencies, this program focuses on children therefore all they will require are basic literary skills that the majority of children in that age group will have as a result of schooling. The learning styles will feature a mixture of Visual, Auditory, and Verbal learning, as well as being interactive to keep the child interested in learning. The motivation the learner (i.e child) holds is to be prepared for the changes about to happen to their bodies such as a first period or pubic hair.

The learners will work through the app at their own pace. It will be suggested that the parent can go through the app with them, there will also be a pdf available for the parent so they know how to talk to them about this sensitive topic.

• State Objectives – This tells us what the learner will be able to do as a result of the instruction. We can use these objectives to assess the learner’s progress. 

Growing and Changing –

There are a huge number of things the child will learn as a result of having an education in sex and puberty. They will begin to realise that growth and change are part of of growing up and are unique to each individual. E.g physical, social and  intellectual. These changed continue throughout your whole life. Learners will be able to identify emotional changes that have taken place since infancy as a result of hormones. They will also begin to appreciate the need for privacy’s well as recognising how independence and responsibility increases the older they get. 

New Life –

Learners will become aware of new life and birth in the world and develop an awareness of human birth. Learners will be able to discuss the stages and sequence of the development of the human baby from conception to birth. 

Knowledge about my body

Learners will begin to appreciate the need and understand how to care for his/her body, and respect their own body and the body of others. Learners will be able to name parts of male and female bodies using appropriate anatomical terms. Learners will explore and discuss the different things the body can do. Learners will develop and practice basic hygiene skills. Learners will understand the changes taking place in both male and female bodies and realise that these changes do not take place at the same time and that this is natural and normal. Learners will understand the relationship between health and hygiene.

• Select Media & Materials

Given the stated objectives the next step is to select media suitable to achieve these objectives. We want to take a storyline approach, including animations and interactivity in our app. We decided this was a good idea as the storybook format will allow us to age the character and interest the user, as well as the interactivity including them in their learning as opposed to it being taught at them.

• Utilize Media & Materials

This step involves planning how to make use of the materials selected in the previous step. This step is comparable to some project management processes. The media will be incorporated into each chapter of the app. The app will use animation and interactivity to thoroughly go through each chapter and engage the user throughout. The animations will also have a voiceover.

Is it selected on the basis of student need?

Yes, we believe the media will be useful to the student because it will not only inform them but engage them in their learning.

Is it appropriate for the teaching format?

We think it is appropriate to include engage the learner to make sure they are grasping the sensitive information.

Is it appropriate for the technical format?

We think it would work well as long as there will be no need for an internet connection once the app is downloaded.

Is it consistent with the students’ capabilities and the instructor’s teaching style?

Both the students capabilities and the teacher’s style would be catered for as the animations will be descriptive.

Does it help to meet the learning outcomes?

Yes because it reinforces the information and gives the learner something to interact with.

• Require Learner Participation

This plans how to actively engage your students in the material that is being taught. We must ensure that the learners are taking part in the learning process. We will facilitate this by having the chapters laid out in a way that would be easy for learners to follow along with and have a character guiding the interactivity aspect of the app so the user knows how and when to participate.

Feedback will be provided when the user gets through a chapter, for example puberty they will get a badge to signify the completion of the chapter and what they have learned. Material in the form of animations will be utilized to give reinforcement of the information and be a guide to learners.

• Evaluate & Revise

This includes an evaluation of the teaching strategies and the technology, media, and materials used. A plan how we will evaluate the success of our techniques, media and learners progress will be carried out once the app is created and tested on users. 

 

• McNamee, P. (2018). What is eLearning? A Complete Guide for your Business. [online] LearnUpon. Available at: https://www.learnupon.com/blog/what-is-elearning/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2019].
• Heikkela, A. (2018). How Sex Ed eLearning Protects The World’s Most Vulnerable Population – eLearning Industry. [online] eLearning Industry. Available at: https://elearningindustry.com/sex-ed-elearning-protects-worlds-vulnerable-population [Accessed 8 Mar. 2019].
• Kurt, S. (2015). ASSURE: Instructional Design Model – Educational Technology. [online] Educational Technology. Available at: https://educationaltechnology.net/assure-instructional-design-model/ [Accessed 8 Mar. 2019].