THE ASSURE MODEL

 The assure model

   ASSURE is an acronym derived from the key verb-descriptor of the tasks associated with the approach. As such, the model proposes a six-step guide for planning and delivering instruction; while not specifically designed for e-learning, in practice it the methodology seems to align to the requirements of designing course ware for that modality.

Analyze learners 

   The first step in the process is that the teacher should analyze the attributes of her learners. There should be a focus on those learner characteristics which are associated with the learning outcomes desired. 

The analysis of your learners should include:

 General characteristics 

 Specific entry competencies

 Learning styles

State objectives 

   The second step in the assure model is to state the objectives of instructions. To be more concrete about things, this statement will focus on what the learner will know or be able to do as a result of the instruction. The objectives can be used in assessing the success of the students, perhaps for the grading process. Also, you can use them to let the learners know what they will accomplish through the class.

• The ABCDs of well-stated objectives

Audience.  Major premise of systematic instruction is focus on what learners are doing, not on what the teacher is doing

Behavior. The heart of the objective is the verb describing the new capabilitythat the audience will have after instructions. 

Conditions. A statement of objectives should include the conditions under which the performance is to be observed 

Degree.  The degree to which the new skill must be mastered or the criteria for acceptable or competent performance (including task execution, range of accuracy, proportion of correct responses required, and/or qualitative standards). 

• Classifications of objectives 

Classifying objectives is much more than an academic exercise for educational psychologist. 

• Objectives and Individual Differences

Select Methods, Media, & Materials

A systematic plan for using media and technology certainly demands that the mwethod, media, and material be selected systematically in the first place. 

• Choosing a Method 

• Choosing a Media Format „

• Obtaining Specific Materials „

• Selecting Available Materials  ( Involving the Media/Technology Specialist, Surveying the Sources, Selection Criteria, The Instructor’s Personal File ). 

• Modifying Existing Materials „

• Designing New Materials

Media Selection Criteria:

- Does it match the curriculum?

- Is it accurate and current?

- Does it contain clear and concise language?

- Will it motivate and maintain interest?

- Does it provide for learner participation?

- Is it of good technical quality?

- Is there evidence of its effectiveness (e.g., field-test results)?

- Is it free from objectionable bias and advertising

- Is a user guide or other documentation included?

U – Utilize Technology, Media, and Materials

     This step in the ASSURE process concerns making a plan as to how you will utilize the technology, media, and materials that you have selected. As with all of the instructional steps, you must make sure that your plans contribute towards producing the objectives that you have laid down.

It’s important to follow the “five p’s” process to achieve this:

1. Preview the Technology, Media, and Materials

This means that it’s important to plan ahead of time just how you’re going to use them. It’s good to do a dry run of your lesson before you actually teach it. Make sure that the whole lesson will go smoothly and seamlessly.

2. Prepare the Technology, Media, and Materials

You need to gather together all of the things that you will need to teach your lesson. They must be working properly. For example, if you are making a power-point presentation, then you’ll need to create the text and graphics for each screen.

3. Prepare the Environment

There is some minimal preparation required to set up the learning environment. Simple things like making sure that you have enough desks are important. Also, if you have control over the situation, you should make sure that there are no sources of noise that will disturb the students. 

4. Prepare the Learners

First, you need to clearly inform the learners as to what the learning objectives are. This will help the learners create a mental map of what they need to absorb. Next, it’s important to tell the students how they will be assessed. You need to tell them what their assignments will be, how they will be graded, if there are tests, etc. Also, you should explain to the students what the benefits of learning the material are.

5. Provide the Learning Experience

You then actually carry out the lesson. This is where all of your planning takes effect. You should be prepared to carry out the lesson with every prior step of the process in mind. This will insure your success as a teacher.

Require Learner Participation

       It requires that you make plans to how you are going to actively engage your students in the material that you are teaching. This needs to be figured out both at the class level and the individual level. 

The most basic step that you can take is requiring participation of the students in class discussions. A more sophisticated approach would require that students prepare questions and comments at home to bring into the class. You might try even allowing individual students to lead classes or discussions in the style of a seminar. Beyond this, you need to plan exactly how the students will participate in the learning process generally speaking. How will they learn the information and techniques included in a lesson? This plan needs to be more specific than just saying that they will listen and absorb the material. Maybe you will encourage a specific kind of note-taking or other learning strategies.

Evaluate and Revise

      The final components in the ASSURE model for effective learning is evaluation and revision. In this step, you evaluate the impact of your teaching on student learning. This includes an evaluation of your teaching strategies and the technology, media, and materials that you used. 

Evaluation of Methods and Media

      Evaluation also includes assessment of instructional method and media. Were the media and the instruction effective? How will you determine whether or not they met the lesson’s objective? Particularly after first use, instructional materials need to be evaluated to determine whether future use, with or without modification, is warranted. 

Revision

The final step of the instructional cycle is to sit back and look as the results of your evaluation data gathering