THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

Graduate Coursework Accountability Statement (To be completed by student) ACADEMIC YEAR: COURSE CODE: NAME:

2013 - 2014 EDID 6506

SEMESTER:

Trimester III

Issues, Trends, Innovations and Research in Instructional

TITLE: Design, Instructional Technology and Distance Education

Nigel Palmer

308004457 ID: _______________________________________

1. I hereby certify that I am the author of the attached item of coursework and that all materials from reference sources have been properly acknowledged. 2. I understand what plagiarism is and what penalties may be imposed on students found guilty of plagiarism. 3. I certify that this paper contains no plagiarised material. 4. I certify that this is my own work and that I did not receive any unfair assistance from others (including unauthorized collaboration) in its preparation. 5. I certify that this paper has not previously been submitted either in its entirety or in part within the UWI system or to any other educational institution. 6. In the case of group work: a. I certify that the individual work of each member of the group has been clearly indicated; b. that where no such indication has been given, I take the responsibility for the work as if it were the section of the paper for which I am solely responsible; and c. that I have not collaborated with any members of the group to breach the Universitys regulations.

. Signature

November 13, 2013 Date

Assignment 3 Research paper on emerging trend/issue

By Nigel Palmer

A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements of EDID 6502- Analysing Human Performance Trimester III, 2012-2013

Email: University: Course Coordinator : eTutor Date:

nigel.palmer@my.open.uwi.edu University of the West Indies Open Campus Camille Dickson-Deane Sandhya Gunness November 13, 2013

iCurio is an online tool that allows students to search for video and audio media that can be used for educational purposes. It is essentially a digital curriculum content solution, and search engine, that provides subject content that conforms to American state standards. Its content database supports over 330,000 digital resources for both teaching and personalized student learning. iCurio is set up for students to log on and use on their own and at their own pace. It also allows students to save and upload their personal work. It gives students practice on how to organize their work, search information safely and save work easily. iCurio was designed to reach every student, where they are on the learning continuum, with dynamic content. It does so by engaging students in the way they like to learn with videos, text, learning games, images, and simulations. By engaging the students directly, iCurio encourages them to become self-directed, collaborative and creative 21st century learners - resulting in the development of critical thinking and communication skills. iCurio also allows students to organize themselves online by creating folders, and even it has storage for students who find content that is important. One key tool that iCurio offers is its "read

aloud" feature, which may prove itself helpful for a teacher who has a student who is blind or visually impaired. With teacher-vetted digital resources and a support for curriculum development, iCurio gives teachers more time and flexibility to create engaging lessons that are personally relevant and educationally appropriate for each student.

Initiator of trend or issue iCurio was developed by Knovation, formerly known as netTrekker. netTrekker was well known throughout the united States as a company dedicated to breakthrough digital content solutions for K-12 education, and for making learning personal. Knovation builds on netTrekkers original mission; thus transforming education, as they view it, from a one-way, one-size-fits-all system to a dynamic, learner-centred approach that caters to the needs of each learner.

Relevance to the field iCurio is suited for use in a school environment. It provides both teachers and students with content that was vetted by chosen content partners, editors, and consultants who understand K-12 education needs. Since iCurio is web-based, users can login from any computer that has internet access. This provides a continuum for the students - work started at school can be continued elsewhere. Consequently, classroom instruction is not only sustained but also extended when school is not in session. Activities are self-paced and are geared to multiple intelligences. Thus iCurio tackles what Clark and Mayer (2011) deemed the challenge in e-learning to build

lessons in ways that are compatible with human learning processes. In addition, students can access content that their teachers have assigned, or they can explore resources that iCurio has made available. Teachers should note, however, that the product is not a one-click guarantee for improved student performance, and that the technology alone will not generate much benefit and is not the
drive for courseware design. Teachers must still take time to review and tailor the materials to

meet students needs.

Use of iCurio iCurio narrows one's search for digital content. It has easier save and open access for content that has been collected. Folders can be created to better manage collected material. Sharing and collaborating work can also be used in iCurio. Your work can be shared with a teacher or a school district. Using the tools offered in iCurio can make instructing easier for the teacher; students easily finding information will be more attentive as well.

The power of iCurio is its flexibility. Teachers may explore by Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. Alternatively, they can search for resources aligned to most US state standards, or do a combination of multiple layers. It has easy-to-use lesson planning tools that will assist teachers in building engaging, learner-centred lessons, based on individual student needs, in support of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Reflection It is always with a sense of excitement that I approach finding new trends. Considering the assignment gives us latitude to choose from a variety of new media, I decided to select a tool/trend that was completely new to me. After much research, I selected iCurio. My initial excitement soon turned into dismay, as there were not many tutorial videos to follow, as well as not much information on the product. I was nevertheless determined to learn even the basic functions of iCurio. Eventually, even this realigned goal seemed daunting, but I persevered. iCurio was intriguing from the outset. Its development was based on sound instructional designing and planning, which is a critical component to a successful learning experience, especially in an e-learning environment. In my estimation iCurio provided such a component. Also, iCurios features were aligned with Howard Gardners views (1983) on multiple intelligences. Gardner believed that by understanding a students strengths and weaknesses in each intelligence, educators could help to improve student success. Integrating multiple intelligences into the classroom involves changing our idea about teaching and learning so that we address individual differences, providing a range of activities and experiences to facilitate learning. iCurio provides such an environment.

References 1. Clark, R,. & Mayer, R. (2011). e-learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning. Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons. 2.