Instructional Design for Simulations in Special Education Virtual Learning Spaces

Introduction

The instructional systems and technology field taps learning and instructional theories with technology tools to address complex educational challenges. This chapter uses instructional design (ID), a systems approach to integrating theoretical foundations and systems thinking, to document how virtual simulations in special education programs give students near-authentic experiences in special education settings. ID provides a systematic foundation for the analysis, implementation, and evaluation of teaching decisions. More pragmatically, this chapter assists educators in implementing simulation in virtual learning spaces based on student and program needs as the basis for teaching decisions. Furthermore, an ID process prompts educators to evaluate the implementation and provide feedback on future adjustments.

What writers and researchers have documented in recent years is that to learn best today’s students, the so-called digital natives, need to be engaged and that they are already mentally and physically equipped to accomplish the work (Prensky, 2001; Kelly et al, 2009; Tapscott, 2001). The overriding pedagogical approach to support these learners involves both solo and collaborative work, but performed in new virtual settings (Pearlman, 2010). For example, Lemke’s (2010) cites three ways to support student engagement, including visualization, democratization of knowledge, and participatory learning. All three means are core foundations to the use of virtual learning environments, particularly for the learning of how to implement Universal Design for Learning principles by special and regular educatators.

This chapter proposes two benefits to readers. First, the chapter will summarize technology tool use in two types of virtual learning spaces; namely structured simulations using a popular simulation software and student peer simulations using video. Second, the chapter helps educators to systematically think through the use of these tools using instructional design. While there are many ID models, the systematic approach used here is a teacher decision cycle (Shambaugh & Magliaro, 2006), which prompts teaching decisions through the use of five questions:

• 1.

  Who are the students?

• 2.

  What are the learning outcomes (and program goals)?

• 3.

  How are those outcomes assessed?

• 4.

  What are the teaching options?

• 5.

  How does technology help instructors to re-think learning outcomes, assessment, and teaching?

The responses to these questions serve to document the thinking behind and the rationale for the use of the two simulation activities. This chapter encourages educators to use a systematic teaching decision process to provide a grounded approach for their teaching decisions (e.g., alignment of learning activities and learning outcomes). At the same time, a structured cycle of analysis, implementation, and evaluation activities contributes evidence for the meeting academic program goals; specifically, how an academic course meets program goals.