I built a microlearning video repository to support K-8 teachers in the four Anglophone sectors across the province of New Brunswick with self-directed, personalized learning of PowerTeacher Pro.
Similarities With PowerSchool Admin Repository
Like the videos for PowerSchool Admin, the videos in the next-generation repository are designed using the research on cognitive science and principles of multimedia instruction-- and as a result, support learning, retention, and transfer. For example, various kinds of signalling (e.g., zooming, highlighting) are used to direct learners' attention to specific parts of the on-screen visuals. Signalling eliminates the extraneous cognitive load that would otherwise be imposed upon learners' working memory if they had to search the visuals for the part being discussed in the narration. In the video example to the right, prompted self-explanation is also used. During the "Problem Analysis" section (1m35s) learners are invited to pause the video while considering their answer to a question-- and in doing so, they process the example more deeply and build accurate mental models.
Differences From PowerSchool Admin Repository
I call the PowerTeacher Pro repository "next-generation" as I have progressed from a lengthy, multi-objective design to microlearning. Micro assets offer the following advantages:
- Short duration = Reduced cognitive load, thereby increasing learning, retention, and transfer. The majority of videos are less than 2min.
- Modular format = Each video covers one topic.
- Teachers can quickly find the specific chunk of information they need to close their knowledge gap and complete the task at hand.
- Increased flexibility for teachers to create their own personalized learning path.
- Micro assets combine to provide a 360-degree view of the topic PowerTeacher Pro—within the context of the assessment cycle.
