Section 1 - Introduction

Create engaging, effective and impactful digital learning

Summary

Too often online learning is provided which really doesn’t engage us and , ultimately, doesn’t really encourage us to learn.

This programme is designed to help us improve our practice in designing engaging and effective learning in digital formats.

Introduction

Over the past 15 or so years, there’s been a steady growth in the demand for continuing professional development in the workplace. The world of work is changing rapidly and the context and demands of the environments we work in require us to keep abreast of these changes. But, releasing staff for learning to keep themselves up to date has also become increasingly difficult, partly due to the costs involved, but also due to the logistics of taking valuable personnel away from their core work activity and providing cover for them whilst they are away. In order to deal with these concerns, we have also experienced a huge growth in online learning. Many employers have viewed ‘elearning’ as a means of providing the CPD their staff need, without the associated costs and logistical issues of training centre/classroom based learning. However, much of this has been of variable quality. Many organisations buy in to rapid development tools to create their elearning - developing ‘courses’ in PowerPoint and importing these into authoring systems, adding quizzing options, and deploying the results on corporate intranets with little or no learner support. What’s more, the people charged with creating this online learning whilst being experienced learning and development personnel, often have little or no training in digital learning design. This programme, is designed to address that.

Programme Aims

This digital learning design development programme has been designed to achieve two main aims. It intends to, enable learners to develop an understanding of learning technologies and their application to effective learning, enable learners to acquire and critically apply knowledge and skills in digital learning development and implementation.

Programme outline

In joining the programme, you’ll work through six interactive, tutor supported modules,

Enable learners to develop an understanding of learning technologies and their application to effective learning,
Enable learners to acquire and critically apply knowledge and skills in digital learning development and implementation.

What do the modules cover?

Module 1 Fundamentals of Learning Design

This module will introduce you to the underlying principles of digital learning design: the psychology of learning; the cognitive processes and principles underlying the learning process; media mix in digital learning; an adaptable framework for evaluating and/or building digital learning experiences etc.

Module 2 What works?

Applying the evidence base for effective learning: It’s not enough to apply technology to learning and hope that it’s effective. This module examines the evidence base for teaching and learning approaches that work and can be applied in the design and development of digital learning.

Module 3 Maximising Learning - User Experience Design

Good learning designs don’t just happen by chance, they’re designed! This module will look at the fundamentals of user experience design as they can be applied to learning - i.e. what are the key components of a good user experience in relation to creating a digital learning resource? We will also look at the concept of user focused design and provide pointers regarding design patterns which can be adopted to support our learning designs.

Module 4 Learning in a networked world

One of the key bits of added value in digital learning is the ability to form connections online with you wider learning community. This module will explore personal learning networks; building learning communities; social learning; developing skills in online teaching, facilitation and support; peer support etc.

Module 5 Assessment and credentialing in digital learning

One of the key challenges in digital learning is in managing the assessment and feedback process. This module will look at the impact of assessment on the learning process; managing the feedback loop; the use of open badges; innovations in blended assessment and, recording, storing and sharing evidence of learning.