e-Instructional Design Stream

The fundamentals of instructional design apply as equally to e-learning as they  do to the classroom. But that's where the similarities end.

Creating e-learning requires an entirely different way of thinking. It also requires knowledge of new, more complex guidelines and principles.

The modules in this content stream help you get to grips with e-learning development by focusing on:

• effective approaches to instructional and learner interface design
• creative methods for developing practice activities and feedback, and
• innovative, rapid development processes that get positive results.

 

What are the modules in this stream?

There are six modules for you to choose from in our e-Instructional Design stream:

 

Module 1: Boredom busting e-learning that works

When a Sunday Times book critic says you've produced a page-turner, be delighted. When your learners use the same description for your e-learning, it's time to start worrying.

Creating boring, page-turning e-learning is as easy as pie. But churn it out at your peril. Your learners won't thank you. And when performance doesn't improve, nor will your boss.

This module turns the standard, content hierarchy-driven view of e-learning on its head. It introduces a holistic, four-pronged approach to development which always focuses you on:

• using a learner-centred, context-driven approach to your design
• creating relevant scenarios and challenges for your learners, and
• providing timely practice activities, support and feedback.

Module length:

1. Standard version: 1.5 hours
2. Express version: 1 hour
3. Detailed version: 2 hours, 2.5 hours or 3 hours, depending on your needs.

Module code: EID01

Module 2: Creating effective learner interfaces

Interwoven with a learner-centred, context driven approach to e-learning design is the need for an intuitive learner interface that reflects the learner's world and the circumstances in which they will be applying their new knowledge, This module covers:

• the key conceptual elements you should always apply when designing an e-learning, learner interface
• how and when to use learning agents and virtual coaches
• the amount of autonomy you should provide for learners, and
• how to best apply research-based guidelines on screen placement and using combinations of visuals, text and audio.

Module length:

1. Standard version: 1.5 hours
2. Express version: 1 hour
3. Detailed version: 2 hours, 2.5 hours or 3 hours, depending on your needs.

Module code: EID02

 

Module 3: More than multiple choice - effective e-learning practice activities

Most e-learning authoring software makes quizzes, questions and interactions dead easy to create. You can churn them out quickly and efficiently. So what's the problem?

Well, just because the authoring software let's you do it, doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. And anyway, practice activities in e-learning need to be about more than just multiple choice, true-false and drag and drop. In acknowledgement of this, the module focues on:

• creating, relevant, challenging and realistic practice activities and scenarios
• how to provide meaningful feedback which actually consolidates learning and encourages transfer, and
• using extended, variable worked examples to help embed more complex skills and knowledge.

Module length:

1. Standard version: 1.5 hours
2. Express version: 1 hour
3. Detailed version: 2 hours, 2.5 hours or 3 hours, depending on your needs.

Module code: EID03

 

Module 4: Using multimedia in e-learning

Many organisations simply don't have the time or the budget to create the kind of broadcast quality video and audio sometimes seen in e-learning. Many designers feel if they can't create this level of quality, they shouldn't even try.

In fact, creating low, but acceptable quality multimedia snippets for e-learning is much easier than most people believe. So, if you don't know your codecs from your key frames or your bit rate from your frame rate, then this highly practical, hands-on module is definitely for you. It demystifies audio and video content creation and covers the:

• simplest (and most cost-effective) hardware to use
• the best selection of software programmes, that won't leave you tied in knots, and
• the only software settings you'll ever need to know to get the best results each time, every time.

Most important, it gives you some hands-on experience in creating short snippets of video and audio, so you finish the module feeling confident you can go away and do it for yourself.

Module length:

1. Standard version: 1.5 hours
2. Express version: Not available for this module
3. Detailed version: 2 hours, 2.5 hours or 3 hours, depending on your needs.

Module code: EID04

 

Module 5: Beyond ADDIE - alternative development approaches

ADDIE and variations on this widely used development process have been a mainstay  for creating a variety of learning materials and solutions (Including e-learning) for a very long time.

This module covers how to use and apply an alternative approach that uses very basic, rapid prototyping in the early stages of development and is then followed by iterative design and development phases.

Developed and refined by e-learning experts in the US, this approach is influenced by techniques used in the software development industry and was originally created with the aim of producing a much more inclusive approach to e-learning development.  

During this module you'll:

• learn the overall approach and how it is different from the more traditional ADDIE model
• understand the benefits (and possible pitfalls) associated with this different way of doing things, and
• see how a technique called successive approximation is applied throughout this alternative process to confirm the desirability of what is being done and make corrections as required.

Module length:

1. Standard version: 1.5 hours
2. Express version: 1 hour
3. Detailed version: 2 hours, 2.5 hours or 3 hours, depending on your needs.

Module code: EID05

 

Module 6: Making e-learning content avaialble to everyone

In recent years we've all heard a lot about the importance of accessibility and usability when creating online content.

But what's it all about? What are the guidelines? To what extent do you need to take these issues into consideration when creating e-learning or other online content?

This module will help you:

• clearly understand accessibility and usability and the difference between the two
• learn about the accessibility issues faced by learners with different types of disability, and
• know how to effectively apply guidelines, test usability and remain compliant

Module length:

1. Standard version: 1.5 hours
2. Express version: 1 hour
3. Detailed version: 2 hours, 2.5 hours or 3 hours, depending on your needs.

Module code: EID06

What about practice?

All modules contain a variety of exercises and activities, making the learning experience practical, hands-on and highly interactive.

If you choose a programme which is longer than a day, we strongly encourage you to identify some existing content we can work on as a 'rolling case study'.  If you prefer, we can provide generic case study materials.

Browse more content streams

Use the links below (or the menu above left) to browse modules in the other content streams:

• Planning and Analysis
• Instructional Design Fundamentals
• New Learning Mediums
• Visuals to Support Learning

Putting it all together

Ready to think about pulling your selected modules together into a programme? Have some questions about what to do next?

Go to our How Does It All Work? page for a clear nuts and bolts explanation of putting your programme together:

Find out all about how the programme works here.