How do you choose the most appropriate instructional methods and media for your learning context?

2 Consider your learners' characteristics

The second step is to consider your learners' characteristics, such as their prior knowledge, skills, attitudes, preferences, motivations, and learning styles. These factors can influence how your learners respond to different instructional methods and media, and how effectively they learn from them. For example, some learners may prefer more interactive and collaborative methods, such as discussions, simulations, or games, while others may prefer more individual and self-paced methods, such as readings, videos, or quizzes. Similarly, some learners may benefit from more visual and auditory media, such as images, diagrams, or podcasts, while others may prefer more textual and kinesthetic media, such as texts, worksheets, or experiments.

3 Evaluate your instructional methods and media options

The third step is to evaluate your instructional methods and media options based on their advantages and disadvantages, their suitability for your learning objectives and learners' characteristics, and their availability and feasibility in your learning context. Instructional methods are the ways or approaches that you use to deliver the instruction, such as lectures, demonstrations, case studies, or problem-based learning. Instructional media are the tools or materials that you use to support the instruction, such as books, slides, videos, or webinars. There are many instructional methods and media that you can choose from, but not all of them are equally effective or appropriate for every learning situation. Therefore, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and compare them with your learning objectives and learners' characteristics, as well as the resources and constraints of your learning context.

4 Select and combine your instructional methods and media

The fourth step is to select and combine your instructional methods and media based on your evaluation and judgment. You may choose one or more instructional methods and media that best match your learning objectives and learners' characteristics, and that are feasible and available in your learning context. You may also combine different instructional methods and media to create a more diverse and engaging learning experience, and to address different learning needs and preferences. For example, you may use a lecture to introduce a topic, followed by a video to illustrate an example, then a group discussion to facilitate deeper understanding, and finally a quiz to assess learning outcomes.

5 Implement and monitor your instructional methods and media

The fifth step is to implement and monitor your instructional methods and media in your learning context. This means that you need to plan and prepare your instruction carefully, taking into account the logistics, technicalities, and pedagogies of using your chosen instructional methods and media. You also need to deliver your instruction effectively, using appropriate communication, facilitation, and feedback skills. Moreover, you need to monitor your instruction continuously, using various methods of formative and summative evaluation, such as observation, feedback, surveys, or tests. This will help you check whether your instructional methods and media are achieving the intended learning outcomes, and whether they are meeting the expectations and needs of your learners.

6 Review and revise your instructional methods and media

The sixth step is to review and revise your instructional methods and media based on the results of your implementation and monitoring. This means that you need to analyze and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your instructional methods and media, and identify the areas of improvement or change. You also need to collect and use the feedback and data from your learners, peers, supervisors, or other stakeholders, and incorporate their suggestions and recommendations. Furthermore, you need to update and adapt your instructional methods and media regularly, taking into account the changes and developments in your content, context, objectives, and learners.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?