MODULE 5 Keller's ARCS Model

New Technologies TASK While it may be safe to assume that people have positive attitudes toward experimenting with new technologies in the workplace, it may be equally safe to assume that you will encounter people in the workplace who have low self-efficacy in experimenting with new technologies. Briefly describe a situation in which you have encouraged people to use a new technology and have been met with resistance or disappointing results. What attitudes did these people exhibit? What behaviors did they demonstrate? Using Keller’s ARCS model, describe how you could change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success. Last fall, I presented a class Wiki that I had created at the parent teacher organization meeting. Some of the second and third grade children in that class attended the meeting and demonstrated parts of the Wiki to parents. All parents in attendance were thrilled with the Wiki. Their only negative comment was that not all (in fact no other) classroom had this and their children would benefit from one. The building principal was there also and he was very impressed with the Wiki project. Some other teachers were at the meeting and they had mixed reactions. One teacher was thrilled and immediately asked me to help him create a Wiki for hi classroom which we did later that week. Other teachers expressed full appreciation for the Wiki yet said they did not feel capable technologically of maintain a Wiki for the classroom. So, I offered to the entire staff and any interested parents to hold a training which I did. There were more parents than teachers at this training but everyone there learned how to make their own Wiki whether for a classroom of students or for personal needs. Keller’s ARCS model could be used to change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success. Keller’s model includes four strategies of gaining and sustaining attention, enhancing relevance, building confidence, and generating satisfactions. It also includes a design process which includes analysis of the audience, defining motivational objectives, and strategies, and trying out and revising as needed. First, I would hold discussions with my colleagues and perhaps survey them to both inform then and to learn about their comfort level, interest in, and technological skills as they relate to a class WIKI and how it could benefit teachers, students, and parents thus providing the relevance of the Wiki. This would give me a baseline of information on individual confidence levels also. I would likely also create a faculty Wiki to present at a staff meeting for gaining attention. I may add humor. I would also include an element of mystery to this Wiki to create winder in the audience and I may have them try it out right thee so they are involved. I may also follow up this initial presentation with an all faculty time in the computer lab where individuals can experiment on the Wiki with a partner. BY working with a partner, it is hoped that those with less skill may learn from another person as well as build their own confidence. Lab time may also serve to generate satisfaction because skills could be applied right away. I would also allow for an open question and answer session to provide even more relevance for the faculty as I simultaneously demonstrate how the use of the Wiki can answer some questions. Last, I may offer additional times to work with individuals to maintain interest and to build confidence with practice.