Page 171 - Making Instruction Work

chap 14 3/14/97 5:16 PM Page 157

delivery system selection 157

7. Are the items you selected easy for students to use, easy
for them to get, and easy for them to operate? If not, try
to find something more practical.

8. Finally, can you think of items that will give you the fea-
ture you need but that are less expensive to buy and to
maintain? If so, change your original selection. For
example, although you initially decided to present infor-
mation by computer, second thought may convince you
that a series of explained photos placed in a binder
would be cheaper to produce and easier to maintain.
And that’s it. Sure, there are times when a decision can be a
little trickier to make, as when students to be trained are scat-
tered around the world. But most of the time it will be a sim-
ple matter of selecting the things you will need (1) to provide
relevant practice and feedback and (2) to present information,
demonstrations, and examples. Try not to make it harder than
it is.

Example #1: TPop: Machinist apprentices
Objective: On a metal lathe, be able to turn brass round
stock to blueprint specifications.

Relevant Practice Description: Practice will require a
lathe, brass round stock, blueprints. Feedback by instruc-
tor or assistant.

Delivery System: Metal lathe, brass round stock, blue-
prints, instructor or assistant. Micrometer for measuring
finished practice work. Instructor to present content (to
minimize reading load), supervise practice, and provide
feedback.