Instructional Design for Online Learning

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS:
Design the look, feel, rhythm and tone of online courses.

They prepare the way the course will be laid out and presented to an audience of learners.

Develop the online layout, the map of steps that ensure that the course flows.

Instructional Designers:

• use rich text and visual means
• creative assignments
• discussions
• interactions in an online setting
• To Ensure that Learners:
• learn and grow, have quality interactions, and are actively engaged with the material
• To Ensure that Learners are:

To achieve this Instructional Designers must consider and include the following...

An Online Framework

Creating an Online Framework requires:

• A Needs Analysis
• A Course Map
• An Instructional Design model
• a marriage of computer technology and information using eLearning and design
• A Learning Management System (LMS)
• Subject Matter Expert consultation
• Creation of a Syllabus

Content

There are five types of content...

• written
• oral
• iconic
• audiovisual
• hyperlinks

Content Considerations:

• organized by time constraints or knowledge development
• learning objectives/outcomes give a statement of intent and guide learning
• instructional strategies, of which there are several options
• learner motivation should be designed right into the learning environment

Build in Motivation

• enhance concentration by mixing things up: break with routine, have brain breaks, change topics
• encourage intrinsic learning
• consider: demographics, inclusive practices, Universal Design, diversity, and accessiblity

Content Navigation

Content Navigation

• supports help learners navigate and use course materials
• architectural features of where content is placed and managed is important for concetration and comprehension.

Architectural Features and Supports Include:

• Interactivity, audio or visual
• Use of images to help process information
• Alt Text and Screen Reader to add hidden details
• Video Transcripts
• Text Transcripts, like Braille
• Thumbnails, which can be expanded.

Other Content Consideration:

• Documentation, like technical details, operating info, etc.
• Webpage Design: layout including headings, white space, image position and more
• Templates that include fonts, background images, and textbox options.

FLOW
Create flow in order to create the best possible learning experience.

7 Habits that Facilitate Flow in Learning:

• Focus Goals
• Eliminate Distractions
• Match Student Skills and Course Level
• Create a Supportive Environment
• Create Order Through Rules
• Let Students Express Themselves
• Provide Timely and Consistent Feedback

ASSESSMENTS

There are different types of assessment and they are integral components of any online learning environment.

Assessments for Online Learning include:

• reports and essays
• video projects and blogs
• group discussions and group webpages
• self-assessments
• webinars and presentations
• podcasts
• creative projects
• quizzes

Assessment can be...

• FOR learning, to determine learner have foundational knowlege to move on to the next concept.
• Can use Adobe Connect, Discussion Posts, or a record of Group Chats/video Chats

Assessments can be...

• AS learning, where students reflect on their learning.
• can use supports like Feedback and Reflection to achieve these outcomes.

Assessments can be...

• OF Learning, in the form of a culminating activity at the end of the course to synthesize learning.
• supports include unit assessments and final assessments, and can be tests, quizzes, projects and exams.

More information about assessments:

• include formative assessments, which help monitor student progress/success
• use multiple forms of assessment
• incorporate summative assessments and tasks, which measure the knowlege gained
• utilize Feedback and Ruberics
• incorporate Participation and Plagiarism warning.

Course Framework

The Course Framework should be based on select content information and outcomes.

Course Framework should include:

• Icebreakers
• Minds-On/Hands-On Tasks (see slide)
• A Syllabus: a map to the course
• choices for the participant, which can be designed to meet the needs of all
• online assessments
• Discussion Boards - individual/group
• Online Learning Skills (see slide)

Designing Hand-on/Minds-on activities:

• Right Mindset
• Understand Inquiry
• Prepare Students
• Learning Goals
• Design the Problem
• Student Involvement
• Scaffolding
• Give Feedback
• Student Reflection
• Assessment

Seven Learning Skills for Online Courses:

• Good time-management
• Online discussion participation
• Use it or lose it: applying what you learn
• Questions: guided and valuable
• Motivation: partnering and groupwork
• Communicating
• Connection

Summary

The Essential Components of an Online Course:

Key Components for Online Learning:

• Online Framework
• Content
• Content Navigation
• Assessments
• Course Framework

The End

References

• Seneca College (Continuing Education). (Summer 2020). DEV103-Instructional Design for Online Learning.
• Ceraulo, S. (2003). Instructional design for flow in online learning. (Module 8)
• Hands-On, Minds-on Activities: A quick guide to designing effective learning activities [Video file]. By Erika Sulik. (Module 10)