idExperi

id = instructional design

Experi = experiment

idExperi = instructional design x experiment = ∞

[id Project]

Theory of Sociology

This interactive prototype is an integral part of the Sociology of Tourism course. I created it using Articulate Storyline as a standalone component, while the broader course was developed with Articulate Rise.

This part heavily incorporates sociological theories, which younger adults often find unengaging due to the abstract nature of these concepts. Additionally, challenges arose in facilitating the transfer of this knowledge to their daily life experiences. To address these issues, the instructional design incorporated elements of gamification, transformational learning, and experiential learning.

Given the need for more interactive features to enhance engagement, Articulate Storyline was chosen over Articulate Rise. Its robust capabilities allowed for the creation of more immersive and dynamic elements tailored to the learners’ needs.

Overview

25 second-year bachelor’s students, age from 19 to 23

Instructional design, eLearning development, organization of learning activities, evaluation strategy design

Gamification, transformational learning, scenario-based learning, flipped classroom

Articulate Storyline, Microsoft Office Suite, Synthesia., Pixlr

Learner Analysis

Conducting Learner Analysis Through Surveys

Here is the example that I designed a pre-class diagnostic survey including multiple-choice and short-answer questions by using the Google Form. This survey was crafted to assess students' prior knowledge of the subject, learning preferences, attitudes toward the material, and perceived challenges. By ensuring the questions address critical aspects like familiarity with the subject, comfort with abstract ideas, and preferred learning methods, the survey served as a comprehensive tool to gather meaningful insights into the learner demographic.

Once I collected the responses, I analyzed the data to identify common themes, trends, and gaps. Quantitative questions, like multiple-choice items, provided measurable data, enabling me to determine patterns in confidence levels, learning preferences, or prior exposure to the subject. On the other hand, qualitative short-answer responses allowed me to explore individual perspectives and uncover unique challenges that students might face. For example, if a significant number of students indicated low confidence in handling complex ideas or expressed concerns about applying theories to real-world contexts, these findings highlighted specific areas that needed to be addressed during the course design.

Based on the analysis, I pinpointed problems and proposed tailored solutions. For instance, if students struggled with academic jargon, I might incorporate glossaries, visual aids, or simplified summaries into the course. If practical application emerged as a concern, I could include case studies, debates, and real-world scenarios in the curriculum. This learner-centered approach ensured that the course was designed not only to meet academic objectives but also to actively engage students, address their challenges, and create a supportive learning environment.

Experience The Prototype

Problem

Abstract and Complex Concepts:

One of the major problems undergraduate students face when learning sociological theory is understanding abstract and complex ideas.
Classical theories such as those from Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Émile Durkheim often involve dense language and require critical thinking.
Students unfamiliar with academic jargon or lacking foundational sociological knowledge struggle to comprehend these theories.

Lack of Practical Application:

Students often find sociological theories detached from real-life situations.
Without seeing how these theories apply to modern social phenomena, students may lose interest and fail to grasp the significance of the material.
Theories such as symbolic interactionism or structural functionalism can feel irrelevant when taught without concrete examples.

Overwhelming Range of Theorists and Approaches:

The field of sociology has a wide range of theorists and perspectives, from classical to contemporary theories.
Undergraduate students often struggle to distinguish between different paradigms (e.g., conflict theory, functionalism, postmodernism) or understand how they interconnect. This can overwhelm learners and make the course content feel fragmented.

Solution

Simplify and Scaffold Abstract Theories:

I simplified complex theories by breaking them into smaller, manageable parts.
Using clear language, visual aids (concept maps) and storytelling methods made abstract theories more digestible.
Scaffolded learning, where foundational sociological ideas were introduced before diving into detailed theories, ensured students built their understanding gradually.

Connect Theories to Real-World Examples:

To help students see the relevance of sociological theories, the course incorporated practical applications.
For example, I related Marx's conflict theory to contemporary social inequality, or Weber's rationalization theory to the rise of modern technology in workspaces.
Case studies, news articles, and discussions on social issues like poverty, education, or gender inequality made theories relatable.

Organize Theorists and Approaches in a Cohesive Framework:

To prevent overwhelming students, sociological theories can be presented within a clear, organized framework.
Grouping theories chronologically (e.g., classical to contemporary), by theme (e.g., structure, agency, power), or by paradigms (e.g., functionalist, conflict, interactionist) provided clarity.
Interactive tools like timelines, theory comparison charts, and group debates on contrasting theories helped students synthesize and retain knowledge effectively.

Process

Action Mapping

Visual Mockups

Experience The Prototype

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