Turning electronic learning environments into useful and influential ‘instructional design Anchor points'

Abstract

Instructional design may help make educational research more useful and influential. In this discussion, I argue that instructional design anchor points (IDAPs) are the basis for this kind of research. In short, IDAPs are educational tools or approaches that can be studied to generate design guidelines. The study of IDAPs may become more useful and more influential when it meets at least the following four conditions: (a) a clear description of the IDAP under study; (b) presence of a clear conceptual framework; (c) a deliberate consideration of complexity; and (d) a realistic perspective on improvement and implementation. This two-part special issue of Educational Technology Research and Development, on electronic learning environments, illustrates the possibilities and pitfalls of studying IDAPs. In this contribution, the four conditions are illustrated by referring to the main articles of the special issue. Indeed, it is argued that electronic environments are the most recent version of an IDAP. The discussion highlights the need for a clear description of the IDAP electronic learning environment, the elaboration of a layered conceptual framework, a more systematic consideration of limitations, and a good balance between realism and voluntarism.