Application of reigeluth instruction design model in virtual education

Using Multimedia in the form of educational CD is a kind of virtual education which presents asynchronously. In this method, lessons are designed by computer programs in advance and these lessons are built up in a way that learners used them whenever they need. Nowadays using educational software and CDs is very common. Although, Merill (1996) claimed that most of these multimedia are not only ineffective but also disadvantage, this kind of educational method can be effective when it is provided under the principle of Instructional Design. So, this study aimed at explaining the application of Reigeluth’s (1979) Elaboration Theory in the content design of computational instruction. The elaboration theory provides a macro prescriptive framework for selecting the sequence, combination and summarizing the contents. The design contents in this method with an overview of the simplest and the most fundamental idea of the subjects beginning and includes steps such as: Organizing Course Structure, Choose an epitome, Summarizers, Synthesizers, Analogies, Cognitive Strategies and Learner Control. One of the important characteristics of this model which made it different of others is that this method allow the learners to select the educational content with its own likeness, needs and freedom and The tendency to continue is considered. Referring to this method, the softwares made for this method is similar to the internet searching. At first, Learners enter the Page named “epitome”. In this page the subject genuine framework observes very simple and most general. Then in the other pages, subjects elaborated where as Learners feel that it is not necessary to continue. This method can provide the the feedback after evaluation for the learners. In fact, designing based on this method can answer and cover the entire paradigm shift from teacher—centric instruction to learner—centred instruction