DESIGNING AN INSTRUCTIONAL PUBLICATION ON THE GEOLOGY OF CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

The wide variety of strata, structural features, and landscapes of Capitol Reef National Park result from its complex, yet discoverable history. Our task was to write and design an informative book on this complexity while making it engaging for the public. We approached the design of this book using Stufflebeam’s (2007) CIPP model. The CIPP model uses both summative and formative evaluations in the categories of context, input, process, and product. It provides the framework to methodically investigate the value of a product and identify and correct less effective pedagogical and design elements during its development. We demonstrated the use of the CIPP model as we wrote and illustrated pages of our book.

Beginning with context, we identified our target audience, decided how we would provide a book that would serve this cohort, and made a plan for what we would accomplish with Exploring the Diverse Geology of Capitol Reef National Park. The input step involved understanding how to make our goals reality, especially concerning the design of the final book. We researched how the brain learns most effectively and incorporated those ideas into our book. We used principles developed by Clark and Mayer (2011) to reduce extraneous cognitive load. Research by James Hartley (1994) guided the instructional design and typography techniques. The process step helped us stay organized and follow our original plans. Finally, the product step enabled us and others to evaluate our product both formatively and summatively to make necessary alterations and plans for possibly future editions.