Chapter 9:

Developing Instructional Strategies

By Reginald Smith

Background:

In order to provide training that will teach people skills found in the

interpersonal domain, you need the proper instructional materials or you

may end up in a situation .Where do you start? Do you create your own

instructional materials or do you use pre-existing materials? How do you

decide what materials to select? There are a variety of instructional materials

to choose from and many options to consider when developing your own.

This lesson will provide you with some strategies to consider when selecting

or creating instructional materials for teaching interpersonal domain skills.

This lesson consists of five sections: 1. an overview of the strategies for developing instructional materials 2. strategies for developing the instructional content 3. strategies for media selection 4. lesson summary 5. practice session 6. assessment

Learning Objective

Upon completion of this lesson:

• Given the task of developing a course designed to teach interpersonal skills, the learner will be able to list the strategies for developing instructional materials that target the interpersonal domain. This will be measured by the completion of the assessment at the end of the lesson.

In addition, the learner will also be able to:

• List strategies for developing instructional content • Name considerations when selecting instructional materials

Domain:

Since the interpersonal domain has to do with the relationships between

people, the instructional materials should allow for interaction. The key to

success is practice, practice, practice! Be sure to build in plenty of

opportunities for the learner to apply the concepts you are presenting.

Content: The content should include assessment activities to

measure learning, along with identifying tasks, sequencing,

and practice skills. One method of development is to build

the instructional materials with the end results in mind.

What knowledge or understanding do you want the learner

to develop? How will learning be evidenced? The materials

should identify the learning performance standards as these

performances guide the design of the activities.

Cons:

These are just some of the issues that you will face

when developing instructional materials for the

interpersonal domain. For a look at the development

phase from a broader perspective as Development

Stage

We are now going to look at different choices to be

made when developing the content for instructional

materials for the interpersonal domain and some

strategies that you may use in the media selection

process.

Strategies for Developing Content:

When developing content, provide

contextualizing elements (collaboration, role

play, case studies) that permit for multiple and

varied perspectives. Contextualizing also helps

link ideas to prior knowledge. Learners bring

experience that is unique to their cultural and

ethnic backgrounds. In addition, motivation and

decision making should be built in to the

materials being developed. Develop the

materials so that the instructor is not built into

the process. This permits the greatest flexibility

and encourages the development of materials

that are focused on learner needs.

Strategies for Developing Content II:

When developing or modifying instructional materials for the interpersonal

domain, the instructor should ask these questions:

1. What is my instructional strategy? This would include learner

analysis, identification of goals & objectives, sequencing of events,

delivery modes (i.e., self-paced, instructor-led, etc.) and assessment

tools.

2. What budget do I have available? This would include not only the

cost of developing or adapting existing materials, but the cost of

maintaining the instructional materials over time.

3. What resources will I have on hand? Keep in mind both your

resources and ability to create the instructional materials as well as the

resources and ability of the instructor and learner to use these

materials. Is the technology accessible, flexible, or difficult to learn?

Instructional Elements: Once you have a general plan in mind, you can begin developing and

gathering the materials for your instruction. Since you are developing

instructional materials for the interpersonal domain, you should look for

materials that engage the learner in interpersonal activities. Instructional and

assessment activities should draw upon the following elements, depending

upon the goals and objectives of the course:

• peer-sharing • group activities • interpersonal interactions • team games • questionnaires, surveys, and activities which require gathering input

from others • cooperative learning • leadership activities • peer activities such as counseling and tutoring

Instructional Elements II:

When selecting or creating instructional materials

assess whether or not the content provides for such

elements. If not, the material may not be appropriate

for developing interpersonal skills.

Identifying Skills to Develop: When developing the content you should assess the

skills that are likely to be developed by using the

instructional materials that you have created or

selected. The material should be designed to develop

these skills, depending upon the goals and objectives:

• listening skills • person-to-person communication • giving and receiving feedback • leadership • teamwork and cooperation • conflict resolution

Strategies for Media Selection: When developing your instructional materials you

will need to consider your media options. This

section will provide you with some strategies to help

you make the right choice for your needs.

Chart

Benefits Considerations Examples

Simulations

permits independence in learning process contextualizes content can provide multiple perspectives develops critical thinking skills

can be expensive feedback important to success

File:Diffusion-sim-game.png Visit [Diffusion Simulation Game]

Training Games

highly motivational encourages teamwork uses problem solving skills develops communication skills

may require extensive preparation flexibility important

File:Cash-game.png Visit [Thiagi's Training Games]

Role Playing

introduces real world situations promotes understanding of other positions emphasizes working together provides

difficult with large groups can require extensive guidance to be effective

File:Role-play.png Visit [Effective & Ineffective Interpersonal Communication Role Play]

opportunities to give & receive feedback

Interactive Games

highly motivational engages learner develops strategical thinking skills

best with individuals or small groups may require support materials to ensure learning

File:Mediation-flash-title.jpg Visit [The Mediator]

Video

great for large groups provides for safe observation can include real life situations can develop critical thinking

technology requirements difficult to adapt need discussion & practice opportunities

File:Interpersonal-lecture-sample.png Visit [Power of Non Verbal Communication]

Web Sites

many available resources multiple perspectives represented can provide for silent reflection

technology requirements quality varies greatly requires self-motivation need to provide interaction opportunities

File:Seven-challenges.png Visit [The Seven Challenges Workbook]

Job Aids

provides for rapid instruction inexpensive can use with any size group provides opportunities for self-assessment

good as a support tool need practice opportunities to ensure transfer

File:Communication-job-aid.png Visit [Speak for Yourself]

Interpersonal Domain:

When developing instructional materials designed to

target the interpersonal domain, one must take into

account several considerations. The instructor should

begin by analyzing what the learner should know at

the end of the course and how that learning will be

demonstrated. In addition, the instructor should also

consider:

• the instructional strategy • the costs involved in development and maintenance of the

instructional materials • the skills the instructor and learner possess • the resources available

Materials:

Since the materials are being developed for

skills within the interpersonal domain, the

materials should permit for peer-sharing, group

activities, and interpersonal interactions. The

materials should target communication skills,

leadership, and cooperation.

Selection:

The selection of media is another important

component to address when developing instructional

materials for the interpersonal domain. Certain media

permit for different learning opportunities. For

example, role playing encourages working together

and provides the learners with an opportunity to give

and receive feedback. However, like any media you

may select, there are considerations you need to keep

in mind. While role playing does have benefits, it can

be difficult to implement in large classroom

situations. The chart within this lesson was designed

to assist the instructor with the process of selecting

the appropriate media for his/her particular needs.

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