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Tech Select Decision Aide: A Mobile Application to Facilitate Just-In-Time Decision Support for Instructional Designers

TechTrends volume 61, pages 393–403 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

With the ubiquitous use of mobile technologies and the increasing demand for just-in-time training, there is a need to prepare and support instructional designers and educators to meet the pedagogical and technological development requirements of their target audience in the most effective and efficient way. This paper reviews the iterative design, development and testing of the Tech Select Decision Aide, a mobile recommender system designed to align instructional strategies with learning technologies based on the pedagogical affordances of the learning technology and the cognitive level of the learning objective. Focus group and survey results show that the Tech Select Decision Aide is a useful and usable mobile app that provides just-in-time performance support to assist instructional designers and faculty in the development and creation of pedagogically sound instructional and training materials using technology. Future areas of mobile development are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Learning Technologies, George Mason University, MSN 5D6, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Nada Dabbagh

  2. Learning Technologies Design Research Program, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Helen Fake

Authors
  1. Nada Dabbagh
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  2. Helen Fake
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nada Dabbagh.

Appendix

Appendix

Survey Questions

1. Gender

figure a

2. Age

figure b

3. What is your current industry?

figure c

4. What is your role within your organization?

figure d

5. How many years of experience do you have in your listed role.

figure e

6. Rate your personal comfort level with integrating technologies into your instructional materials, lesson plans, etc.

figure f

7. How often do you use mobile apps?

figure g

8. How likely would you be to download a mobile app for the following purposes? (Statements rated very unlikely, unlikely, neutral, likely, very likely)

Business or Finance

Education

Entertainment

Goal-setting

eBook Reading

GPS or Navigation

News

Information Seeking

Social Networking

Weather

9. What operating system did you use in order to access the Tech Select Mobile App?

figure h

10. Please answer the following questions about how you perceive the usefulness of the Tech Select Mobile App (Statements rated strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree).

This app will help me be more effective in my role.

This app will help me be more productive.

This app is useful for me in my role.

This app would make it easier to design instructional materials and/or sessions.

The app would make it easier for me to communicate design decisions with stakeholders.

The app would save me time when I use it.

The app does everything I would expect it to do.

The app provides alternative ways to make decisions.

The app provides information that is helpful in my instructional design decisions.

The app will help me be more successful in developing effective teaching/training.

I would download this app.

11. Please answer the following questions about how you perceive the ease of use of the Tech Select Mobile App (Statements rated strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree).

This app is easy to use.

The app is simple to navigate.

It requires the fewest steps possible to accomplish what I want to do with it.

I can use the app without written instructions.

I do not notice any inconsistencies as I use the app in the labels, titles, choices, format, menus, etc.

The app text is easily readable.

The vocabulary in the app was explained and/or is easy to understand.

I am familiar with the terms and concepts used in the app.

The app has an effective layout, organization, and grouping.

The app is visually pleasing.

12. What would make it easier for you to navigate the Tech Select Mobile App?

figure i

13. What additional features, if any, would you like to see?

figure j

14. Other comments?

figure k

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Dabbagh, N., Fake, H. Tech Select Decision Aide: A Mobile Application to Facilitate Just-In-Time Decision Support for Instructional Designers. TechTrends 61, 393–403 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-016-0152-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-016-0152-2

Keywords

  • Decision support
  • Design thinking
  • Instructional design
  • User experience design
  • Agile development
  • Mobile learning
  • Recommender systems
  • Mobile app
  • Technological affordances
  • Pedagogical affordances