EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AREA

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

EDTECH 212
Instructional Message Design
1​ST​ Semester AY
AY 2020-2021
2021-2022

COURSE GUIDE

Course description
This course focuses on the application of research findings in cognitive, behavioral psychology
and in various sociocultural contexts in the design, development and evaluation of media and
technology to facilitate teaching and learning.
Course overview
Instructional message design refers to the manipulation and planning of signs and symbols
that can be produced for the purpose of modifying the cognitive, affective or psychomotor
behavior of one or more persons. It involves the application of perception theory, learning
theory, communication theory and systems theory to the design and evaluation of instructional
media.
Course learning outcomes:
After working on the course, the student (you) should be able to:
1. Identify principles of instructional message design.
2. Apply the contribution of research from behavioral and cognitive psychology in facilitating
effective and efficient instruction.
3. Develop instructional messages based on principles from behavioral and
cognitive psychology.

Course Outline:

I. What is instructional message design?

A. Overview of instructional design frameworks
B. Definition of instructional message design

II. ​Behavioral and cognitive theories (How People Learn)

A. Behavioral psychology approach
B. Cognitive psychology approach

III. Motivation and Perception Principles in Designing Courseware

A. Motivation Principles
1. General Motivational Principles
 a. Variation & curiosity
b. Need stimulation
c. Challenge level
d. Positive outcomes

2. Motivational Properties of Text and graphics

a. Positive impression
b. Readable style
c. Graphic illustrations
d. Formatting
e. Interesting pictures
B. Perception Principles
1. Message Design Variables
2. Sensation and Perception
3. Attention and Perception
4. Theoretical Approach to Perception
5. Gestalt Principles of Perceptual Organization
C. Application of motivation and perception principles in designing instruction

IV. Multimedia Learning Principles

A. Principles for Reducing Extraneous Resources
1. Coherence Principle
2. Signaling Principle
3. Redundancy Principle
4. Contiguity Principle: Spatial and Temporal
B. Principles for Managing Essential Processing
1. Segmenting Principle
2. Pre-training Principle
3. Modality Principle
C. Principles for Fostering Generative Principle
1. Multimedia Principle
2. Personalization, Voice and Image Principles
D. Boundary Conditions for Design Principles
1. Individual Differences
2. Complexity and Pacing

V. Course Synthesis
Submission of requirements

Mode of Delivery

This course will be purely delivered online, utilizing synchronous and asynchronous modes. In
cognizance of the technological challenges that we may encounter in instruction delivery, we will
be employing low technology and high technology approaches for the synchronous component.
UVLE/neoLMS will serve as our online classroom portal. The course will utilize their features
especially for the submission of course requirements and access of lecture videos and
resources/references such as YouTube video and reading links. Our synchronous meetings will
be held once a week for a period of not more than one hour, in consideration of data
consumption and Internet connectivity. I will host our online classes via Zoom. Messenger
rooms will also be utilized as a backup platform. You will have to read, watch learning videos,
and comply with the assignments at least two hours per week for this course. You can also work
in advance if you have spare time during holidays or weekends. Submission boards will remain
open throughout the semester. ​The course puts you at the center of all class activities. It is
expected that you will be responsible for your own learning. The evidence of learning
demonstrated and/or presented to your classmates and teacher will be the basis of your grade.
The syllabus will be followed as closely as possible. ​ If you have problems in accessing the
resources and if you have concerns regarding your requirements, please send me a message
using the following numbers: Sun: 0922-8248931; Smart: 0961-1606210.

Course Materials
The course materials are posted at UVLE/neoLMS, to include the YouTube videos and book
readings. Lecture videos are emailed to you.

Course Requirements
● Reflection journals (10%)
● Digital Presentation (20%)
● (applying motivation and perception principles)
● Webinar (30%)
● Book Redesign (35%)
● Course Summary (5%)

About the Instructor

Elenita N. Que is an assistant professor and currently the Program Coordinator of the
Educational Technology Area of the UP College of Education. She is Chair of the Training
Working Group of the UNESCO Bangkok Resource Distribution and Training Centres (RDTC)
and Acting Executive Director of Comparative Education Society of the Philippines. She is a
Digital Literacy Fellow of Queensland, University of Technology, in Brisbane, Australia and
former Program Development Associate for Blended Learning and Teaching under the Office of
the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of the Philippines – Diliman. She is a
two-time awardee of Gawad Kolehiyo on ICT Integration Award (Outstanding Teaching
Performance, 2011 & 2014) given by the UP College of Education. She has collaborative
research on ICT in Education with Kyoto University of Education – United Graduate School of
Professional Teacher Education and Hiroshima University – Center for the Study of International
Cooperation in Education. She finished her Master of Education major in Educational
Technology degree at the University of the Philippines – Diliman and completed her Bachelor of
Science in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines – Los Banos. She is
a doctoral candidate under the Division of Educational Development and Cultural and Regional
Studies at Hiroshima University - Graduate School for International Development and
Cooperation in Japan.

House Rules
Class discussion
You are expected to participate actively during our synchronous class. When you share your
ideas and experiences, everyone in class benefits.
Academic integrity
Honesty is important. If you use somebody’s ideas, acknowledge the source.
Undocumented material is a case of plagiarism and is not acceptable. Use the APA Publication
Manual for the style.
Late submission policy
You are expected to submit assignments on the due dates. However, as graduate students, it
is understood that you have many responsibilities outside this course, especially at this time that
we have global health crisis. Use this late submission policy only when warranted, (with the
exception of the reflection paper and the course summary) and you should tell the professor
your intention to submit late.
On class requirement
• Details for the class requirements are described in the “Assessment details”. Consult
early before you’re overwhelmed with the requirements and the deadline is over.
• Grammar and spelling will be considered. If you need someone to edit your work, please
do so.