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ARCS and Social Constructivism

Week 4

Keller's ARCS

Keller's ARCS Model of Motivation 

 

This model brings four vital elements to the Instructional Design field to help increase the learner's Motivation. Some people refer to this specific approach as a problem-solving approach. 

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These are the following (ARCS): 

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  1. Attention: Can involve humor, hands-on activities, participation, multimedia, thought-provoking questions, and real-world examples. 

  2. Relevance: How important or degree of applicability does the learning material have (present and future)?

  3. Confidence: Provide opportunities for people to practice, set clear expectations, give timely feedback so the learner can fix and adjust, and finally provide your learners or audience the freedom to make their own choices. Learn how to scaffold the provided challenges or practice opportunities so the learner can build confidence by the end of the lesson or course.

  4. Satisfaction: One's satisfaction with their skills, job, or learning after setting them up for success without punishments or rewards! It is all about personal growth and feeling happy and satisfied about it. 

Social Constructivism

Social Constructivism is based on the meaning you give to the specific learning you get from socially interacting with others. What you learned in return, even though it felt natural to learn, was created to cater to your specific needs. 

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Social Constructionist Principles

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  • Knowledge is socially constructed.

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  • Language is central to social construction.

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  • Knowledge construction is politically driven (when knowledge created in a community has social, cultural, and political consequences).

Social Constructivism and Instructional Design

Social Constructivism and Instructional Design: This approach is student-centered, with many interactive learning opportunities.

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  • Reciprocal learning could be 2-4 students taking turns to discuss a specific topic. It is peer-to-peer coaching when both coach each other and take turns.  

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  • Cooperative Learning refers to a pair or small group working together by guiding and assisting each other's learning. It is about each other's ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development). 

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  • Situated Learning provides the learner with meaningful and strategic contexts through active participation or real-life scenarios. 

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  • Anchored Instruction is the idea of combining rich, meaningful context (experiences) using technology-based learning. 

Sources and Citations 

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Devlin Peck. (2022, June 28). The ARCS Model of Motivation by John Keller [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQnWcWorJjg

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Pappas, C. (2023, November 22). Instructional Design Models and Theories: Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivation. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/arcs-model-of-motivation​​​

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