I don’t really blog much anymore, but wanted to capture an idea, in case it is useful later.
I was talking with a colleague today about how online learning fits into thinking about instruction in general. In the course of the conversation I realized that the way I think about how the two fit together is related to a concept that is widely known about in web development circles, but not necessarily widely discussed in education ones.
The concept is Mobile First. Web designers and developers often talk about starting with the mobile interface, then moving to larger format screens. There are a number of reasons for that:
- Starting with mobile means you ensure the most important information is front and center, no matter the device the user uses
- It makes it easier to guarantee that the primary functions work on all platforms and devices
- Constraints can help when finding creative solutions
The analogy in my mind is:
mobile first :: web design
online first :: instructional design
The parallel is that if you start with a perspective of online learning you can gain benefits that help you in your face-to-face instruction just as Mobile First web design can help you end up with a better desktop website. Potential benefits of Online First include:
- Intentionality about learning outcomes
- Media that is useful in a number of contexts: online learning, hybrid instruction, flipped classrooms, self-paced instruction, etc. (a la universal design)
- Instructors have tools to enable them to think about how to create authentic learning situations, with help at a specific point of need.
Of course, we don’t all teach online. I have never worked at an institution with a focus on online education, or even significant online education for undergraduates. However, a solid grounding in online education and eLearning practices has enriched my teaching in face-to-face instruction, whether in a classroom or at the reference desk.
So as we build our online learning team, I’m thinking about Online First Instructional Design and its potential role for my library. (Though, of course it’s wise to keep in mind that there are good arguments for a measured approach to any model, even Mobile First web design.)