Beginner’s Guide to Brewing Beer

EDTEC 572- Final ProjectSummer 2011

Melissa Mowat & Tim Reinheimer

Audience

The instruction was designed for adults that want to brew their own beer.

The audience lacks the skills and knowledge required to brew their own beer.

Problem

There is an overload of information regarding the home brewing process.

Many are intimidated to try because they feel they must read an entire book, or they must try to interpret incomplete directions.

An instructional package was created to give a beginning student a simplified yet complete guide to the home brewing process.

Objectives

TLWBAT converse with the instructor and other students regarding the home brewing process.

TLWBAT obtain all the correct materials needed to brew beer.

TLWBAT go through the Step-by-Step instruction to produce homemade beer.

TLWBAT use a technology of their choice, such as computer or smart phone, at home to successfully complete the module and converse with the instructor and other home brewers.

Design

A Google site houses all the information on the course, which includes the Overview, Step-by-Step, and the Appendix.

Before starting the brewing process, the student meets with the instructor to review necessary materials and the specifics of the module.

Once the students have all the necessary materials they can start the process at their own home on their own schedule.

If the students have any issues or complications, they can contact the instructor through a course e-mail or Facebook group, which has been set up so that students can trouble shoot and share insights with each other.

Development

The module is broken up into three sections: The Overview, Step-by-Step, and Appendix.

The overview explains the basics of brewing, preparation, supplies, cleaning and sanitation.

The Step-by-Step guides the learner through the home brewing process with the use of pictures and commentary.

The Appendix gives the learner an in depth look at some of the ingredients and intricacies of home brewing.

Development

The module was created in PowerPoint then placed in Captivate for navigation.

Hot tabs allow a student to quickly move to any place within the module.

Development

An Overview acclimates the beginner to the home brewing process.

Development

The Step-by-Step addresses multiple learning styles by giving a visual with commentary.

Development

The Appendix is offered as a supplement to help the student understand some of the intricacies of home brewing.

Conceptual Design Principles

Clarity- The slides were designed to be understandable and straight to the point. The Overview acclimates the student, the Step-by Step is followed exactly, and the Appendix helps a student fill in the blanks .

Relevance- The script and graphics do not digress from the end goal of producing beer, for there is no clutter or superfluous information on the slides.

Animation- The slides do not have any moving parts, but transitions of the slides are placed so as to not digress from the focal point.

Plot- The information in the module builds a coherent story. First the student meets the instructor, then they are exposed to an Overview, then they follow a Step-by-Step process and finally they are given supplemental information to complete the picture.

Visual DesignPrinciples

Contrast- Contrast was created with the different color tabs, highlighted steps, and adjunct colors that are near opposites.

Repetition- The format per slide remains the same so that the learner understands the layout as well as the process in a more relevant way.

Alignment- Everything is aligned the left during the overview. In the Step-byStep process, the pictures are centered for clarity. All of the navigation tabs are located at the bottom of the page.

Proximity- The fonts and pictures are in close proximity so the student understands a connected relation.

Implementation- Testing the Module

We sent out a copy of our PowerPoint to friends to test the instruction. We asked that the viewers looked through the Overview and the Step-by-Step up until the bottling process.

We received positive feedback that assured us that student learners would successfully brew a batch of beer by completing the module. They loved the pictures and details of each step and thought all the information was relevant and necessary.

Our testers said they would like a final copy of the module to try at home.

We got back useful information that called for some revision: Changed wording to clarify and make more relevant. Add more pictures to slide# to clarify the Step-by-Step process. Change the order of some of the paragraphs. Eliminated passive voice.

Team Reflections

No project is ever complete, for feedback informs newfound revisions that help to improve instruction.

Implementation and evaluation are some of the most important steps in the ADDIE process for a coherent and successful completion of an instructional package.

Reflection on implementation and evaluation help to complete the missing links in design and development.

A multitude of feedback is important, for it helps the creators to understand the learners point of view.

Constant team communication and collaboration is key to a successful project in EDTEC.