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MANUAL SIM
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MANUAL SIM

ENCIK MOHD HAFIZ SHAFIQ BIN ZULKIFLI ENCIK MOHD HAFIZ SHAFIQ BIN ZULKIFLI

Section outline

  •   What you will achieve in this subtopic?

    At the end of this subtopic, you will able to


    Differentiate

    General and specific instructional instructions


  • Learning Material

    General and Specific instructions in SIM

    Let's know about instructions in SIM

    When preparing for the course development in SIM, instructions is the most important part for instructors to present their course based on intended planning. For instructors, balancing both types of instructions in SIM is key to effective delivering the teaching in self direct approach. 

    General instructions set the stage, giving students a big-picture understanding, while specific instructions ensure they know exactly how to achieve the desired outcome.  This combination helps distance learners to stay organized and confident in their self-directed learning journey in PEARL.

    What is General Instructions? 

    General instructions provide an overarching framework or outline of what needs to be done, giving learners a broad understanding of the task at hand without delving into the minute details. They set the context and define the scope, helping learners grasp the main objectives and expectations

     

    For example, if a teacher assigns a research project, the general instructions might be:
    "Conduct a research project on a historical event of your choice. Your project should include an introduction, a detailed analysis of the event, and a conclusion." 
    These instructions give students a clear idea of the task, but they don't specify the exact steps to take or the criteria for each section. In a real-world situation, general instructions might be used in an art class or in the context where the students need to do something to express/ illustrate / interpret/ demonstrate., etc

    General instructions are important because they:

    1. Set the Stage: They provide a big-picture view, helping students understand the overall goals and purpose of the task.
    2. Encourage Autonomy: By not being overly prescriptive, they allow students some freedom to explore and approach the task in their own way.
    3. Reduce Overwhelm: They give a starting point without overwhelming students with too much information at once.

    Instructors can use general instructions in several scenarios to effectively guide learning while promoting independence and creativity. Here are a few key instances:


    Instructors can add general instructions in home tab  including in the following sections/ subtabs. 

    For example provide instruction of netiquette and how student can navigate the course in order to enhance their learning experiences.

    When starting an introduction, general instructions provide an overview of what students will learn, helping them understand the broad goals before diving into specific topics, read the teaching and learning plan and participating in ice-breaking. For example:

    ✔️Introduction

    "Welcome! In this section, you have the opportunity to get to know your course manager, gain insights into course-related information, and connect with other student who are also taking this course."

    ✔️LTAP

    This section also includes an [Teaching Plan] file to provide you with an overview of the learning journey ahead. Please review the uploaded document to...

    In the Announcement tab, general instructions might outline upcoming events, key dates, or broad expectations for a course, keeping students informed about what to focus on next from time to time. However, announcement tab is optional based on SIM Guideline Ver 3.

    Providing general instructions could guide students on how to access and use the recordings, suggesting which sessions to review for better understanding of certain topics. Instructors also can add the timetable for webex session 

    While general instructions have many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

    Lack of Clarity
    General instructions can sometimes be too vague or plain leaving distance learners unsure of where to start or what exactly is expected of them. This can lead to confusion and frustration in self direct learning.

    Misinterpretation
    Without specific guidelines, students might misinterpret the task, leading to work that does not meet the expectations and intended learning outcomes. 

    Overwhelming for Some Students
    Some students, especially those who prefer structured guidance, may feel overwhelmed by the freedom general instructions provide. They might struggle to break down the task into manageable steps on their own. 

    Dependency on Prior Knowledge
    General instructions often assume a certain level of prior knowledge or skill. Students without this background, senior citizen or not tech-savvy might struggle more, widening the gap between different learners’ abilities and experiences between distance learning.

    For distance learners, general instructions help them understand the overall objectives of a course or module. By giving students the big picture, general instructions ensure that they have a clear understanding of the task's purpose and scope, which is essential for effective and independent learning. 

    However, general instruction requires specific instructions in order to navigate the students achieve the specific learning outcomes. Let's find out why instructors need to consider to combine general and specific instructions altogether.

     

    What is Specific instructions?

    Specific instructions provide detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to complete a task or achieve an objective. Unlike general instructions, which offer a broad overview, specific instructions break down the task into manageable parts (chunking), ensuring that students know exactly what is expected of them and how to proceed.

    The students need to "conduct an experiment to test the effects of sunlight on plant growth" - general instruction

    "After you have done and read learning material 4.1, please follows the instruction below to participate in self assessment.

    • Gather materials: Find three potted plants, a ruler, a notebook, and a camera.
    • Place one plant in full sunlight: Arrange one in partial sunlight, and one in no sunlight.
    • Water the plants: Water daily with the same amount of water.
    • Measure the height : Each plant every three days and record the data in your notebook.
    • Take weekly photos: Snap photos of the plants to document their growth.

    After four weeks, analyze the data and write a report discussing your findings, including graphs to illustrate the growth patterns"

    Specific instructions build on the foundation set by general instructions.  Integrating both general and specific instructions, instructors can effectively guide students through the learning process, ensuring they understand both the big picture and the certain steps needed to succeed in the topics.


    Specific instructions are important because they provide:
    1. Clarity and Precision: Specific instructions eliminate ambiguity by clearly defining each step. This helps students understand exactly what they need to do, reducing confusion and increasing the likelihood of successful task completion.
    2. Consistency: Specific instructions ensure that all students are working towards the same standards and criteria. This consistency is particularly important for fair self activity and assessment
    3. Guidance for Complex Tasks: When tasks are complicated or involve multiple steps, specific instructions help students navigate through each phase systematically. This is essential for maintaining self pace in SIM.

    Instructors can use general instructions in several scenarios to effectively guide learning while promoting independence and creativity. Here are a few key instances:


    Instructor can make an introduction about the topic from general and prior knowledge to specific subtopics that students will learn

    Use measurable learning outcome. Instruction of learning outcomes must be clear and start with



    Specific instructions are essential when students are engaging with learning materials. These instructions clarify what students should focus on, how to interact with the material, and what outcomes are expected

    Specific instructions guide students through the steps they need to take to complete the self learning activity successfully. This ensures the students stay on track and meet the activity's objectives. Each of activity must be align with topical learning outcomes

    Specific instructions for self-assessment help students evaluate their own work critically, providing clear criteria and steps to follow. Give assessment with clear and specific task about what students need to do in order to complete the topic

    Specific instructions, when not combined with general instructions, can lead to several potential drawbacks in the learning process:
    Confusion and Frustration: If students don't understand the intended learning outcomes, they may feel lost or frustrated even if they are following the specific instructions correctly. This can lead to a lack of motivation and engagement with the material.

    Over-Reliance on Step-by-Step Guidance: Students may become too dependent on detailed instructions, reducing their ability to think independently or adapt to new situations. This can limit their problem-solving skills and creativity. However, specific instructions can be provided in certain parts in SIM as you read in previous tab.

    Lack of Context: Without general instructions, students may not understand the broader purpose or goals of the task. They might follow the steps without grasping why they are doing it, which can hinder deep learning and critical thinking. Combining both general and specific instructions can help the students to understand their roles when enter the online course as  distance learners.


    General instructions provide the "why" and the big picture, setting the stage for the detailed "how" provided by specific instructions. Therefore, it is essential for instructors to combine general and specific instructions in order to enhance learning experiences among distance learners.

    Applying Gagne 9 events of instructions in SIM

    Robert Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction is a systematic approach to designing effective and engaging instructional experiences. These events guide instructors in creating a structured learning environment that promotes better understanding and retention. Image below shows 9 important components that offer a comprehensive framework to create effective and engaging learning experiences.




    By following these steps above, instructors can ensure that learners are attentive, informed, guided, and assessed in a structured manner, leading to better understanding and retention of the material. You will get more details about this framework in the next subtopic. First, let's jump to learning activity! 

  • Activity

  • Self Assessment