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BRUNER - Applying Learning Theories to Online Instructional Design

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C) Related Theories, Pedagogical Practices and Practical Web-Design Strategies

Attract, hold and focus attention so students can learn principles. Fahy (1999, 59) lists the following ways to attract attention:

To draw attention, use novelty, differences, motion, changes in intensity or brightness, the presence of moderate complexity, and lean and focussed displays. NOTE: Merill cautions against the overuse of attention-getting strategies, especially on the computer. "Screen motion and animated movement are very powerful in attracting and holding attention. The program should therefore not require the user to read while watching an animated display" (1989, as cited in Fahy 1999, 60).

To increase attention and maintain learner focus, create moderate uncertainty about what is about to happen next or what the eventual outcome of a presentation will be.

To sustain attention, maintain change and variety in the learning environment.

To focus attention, teach learners to interpret certain cues such as specific colors, sounds, symbols, fonts, screen or display arrangement, underlining, etc.

To focus attention, use captions in pictures, graphics and illustrations.

Improve retention by sequencing screens and presenting related materials together. In designing materials of all kinds sequence is important. "Material presented together will be associated in the learner’s memory" (Fahy 1999, 79) and more easily recalled especially if repetition is used. Fahy believes that "events ideas, words, concepts and stimuli in general which are not organized in some meaningful way are harder to understand and remember than those which are embedded in some organizational context" (p. 60). Fahy also advises that when sequencing consider that the first and last displays in any sequences are especially important. "Introductions and summaries are key learning opportunities" (p. 61).
Provide structural cues to avoid information vertigo. Jones and Farquhar (1997, 241) recommend arranging information "in a non-threatening manner through techniques such as chunking, overviews, advance organizers, maps, and a fixed-display format." They also advise that "the consistent placement and style of section titles is [an] important cue to the structure of information."