E-Learning Design & Development Online Certificate

This course introduces the learner to the principles of instructional systems design (ISD), or more commonly, instructional design (ID) as they apply to e-learning development. Participants explore the complexities of designing instruction in various e-learning contexts (corporate training, education, etc.). Participants learn classic ID theory and emerging models and apply these theories in a real context through a simulated design project.

This course has two main objectives:

• Learn instructional design process and principles as applied to e-learning
• Begin developing a design plan for an e-learning project

This introductory course gives practicing instructional designers and serious students of instructional design a grounding in the basics of multimedia scriptwriting. In it we'll focus primarily on the process of developing script treatments, the vehicles we use as scriptwriters to first conceive and shape our visions for multimedia pieces, then formalize them for review and approval. A worksheet developed specifically for the course will help you gather your ideas and guide you to writing a script treatment based on an instructional multimedia concept of your choosing. Along the way, we'll explore many aspects of professional instructional scriptwriting practice, including: the essential steps of the scriptwriting process, the defining characteristics and production possibilities of three major presentational forms (demonstration, documentary, and dramatization), and the various ways you may combine images and words to create the meanings you intend.

Course objectives:

• To improve your ability to develop effective scripts for instructional multimedia components of various types
• To improve your ability to evaluate the skills of instructional scriptwriters.

This course gives a brief survey and introduction to the most common e-learning development tools used in instructional design and content development. Programs such as Camtasia, Lectora, and Articulate are explored. Software programs selected for demonstration are based on current industry trends and may change each term, since the e-learning industry is a quickly changing environment and the goal of this course is to give students a broad appreciation of current e-learning production methods.

The course objectives include:

• Providing an initial method by which students can implement the multimedia scripts created in the previous scriptwriting course.
• Allowing the student to create a simple portfolio of production pieces that can be built upon and customized.
• Giving the student a solid framework and comfort with rapid production methods that can be used in client presentations and stakeholder meetings.

This course introduces the learner to the principles and tools for audio-visual media production as they apply to e-learning development. Participants learn how to use common equipment and free software to record audio, perform basic editing functions, and process files for varying uses. Participants use several types of video capture equipment to record simple instructional videos, perform basic editing, and process files for various e-learning delivery technologies. Participants also learn how to find, acquire, and mix together existing audio and video media to create effective instruction material for e-learning delivery.

This course has three main objectives:

• Use basic, common audio equipment and editing software to create audio resources for e-learning delivery
• Use basic, common video equipment and editing software to create video resources for e-learning delivery
• Locate, acquire and combine audio and video resources to create effective instructional material

This course surveys the issues surrounding the management of learning systems and the integration of instructional content and assessment activities. We will take both an administrative and instructional view of the best practices and challenges found when working with a learning system. We will use Moodle as our operational platform; however we will also review other learning systems, both proprietary and open source. Common technology standards are also discussed including Application Programming Interfaces (API), SCORM, Experience API, and much more.

There are three objectives for the course:

• Categorize learning systems based on the needs of users.
• Provide familiarity with web 2.0 assessment tools, as well as technology and deployment standards.
• Identify the human challenges of implementing, upgrading and managing a learning system.

This course emphasizes the role of formative evaluation and usability testing as an integral part of e-learning development process. Participants review Kirkpatrick's classic Levels of Evaluation, and explore ways of assessing performance at each level. Special emphasis is placed on the usability testing of e-learning products. As a cumulative project for the course, students plan a study, create plans to collect and analyze data, and plan a summative report for a usability review of an existing product.

This course has three main objectives:

• Review principles of evaluation as used in instructional design
• Participate in the usability testing of real e-learning products
• Begin a usability test plan for a real or planned e-learning product

This course explores content development for e-learning using Adobe Captivate or similar software. Students will create media rich deployable content. Common publication and packaging protocols will be discussed, including the value of learning objects, SCORM, and AICC standards. This class will survey e-learning content development strategies for blended learning, training environments, screencasting, mobile computing, and student accessibility.

This course has three main objectives:

• Deploy and publish content using Captivate or similar software.
• Create in-depth assessment and evaluation tools.
• Provide familiarity with publication and deployment standards