Learning Design
Learning Design is an important phase in web course design and development. During this phase you as the learning designer will analyse the content of the course and come up with a detailed design and plan of the web course content.
This process begins with breaking down the learning goals into objectives (terminal objectives) and sub-objectives (enabling objectives) . The idea is that if the sub objectives are met, the main objectives will be met and in turn the overall goal will be met. Learning objectives should be specific and measurable. They should also use action verbs eg. state, prove, apply, decide etc.
The assessment/ quiz should be developed based on the learning objectives. The assessment will allow the student to gauge whether or not he/she has achieved the learning objectives.
Based on these learning objectives and assessment, a learning strategy must be designed which will help the students achieve the learning objectives. This achievement can be measured via the assessment.
Based on the learning objectives you can create a flowchart of the course. You can also arrive at the duration of the course.
The content for each item in the flow chart is chunked around each objective keeping in mind the learning strategy.
The subject matter expert (SME) will need to work closely with the learning designer during this phase in order to ensure the accuracy of the content.
Content could be in the form of:
- Textual content
- Graphics/ pictures/ diagrams
- Flash animation
- Interactivity
- Video
- Audio
- Quizzes
- Assessments
- Motivational elements
- Offline activities
The content design will be done keeping in mind the resources/ technical skills available as well as the web platform that the course will need to be integrated into.
Some learning management systems have inbuilt quiz/ assessment systems. In such cases the quizzes/ assessments will need to be designed in a way that will use these facilities.
Check with the concerned resource people available for the project, regarding the feasibility in implementing specific graphics, animations, interactivity, video, audio etc. If feasible, check if it fits within the budgeted time and cost for the project. If not, work out a suitable solution together.
If there will be an instructor/ facilitator you would need to design the facilitator’s involvement, facilitator notes and facilitator – student interaction as well.
Student interaction amongst themselves via discussion forums and chat can also be designed into the course.
Some courses are completed designed around a discussion forum where the instructor uses a book for content. On the specified dates, the instructor posts lesson assignments etc and students post in response to that. Other information is sent via email.
Some web courses are sent via automatic emails through auto responders like aweber.
Web Course Design
Posted in Web Course Design | No Comments »