Effective course design for e-learning (P01541)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : EDU-P-P01541

This course will equip the student to understand and utilise the wide range of expertise and competencies which must be deployed for effective online course design. The interface between technology and user plays a crucial role in the success - or otherwise - of online and blended learning activities. Organisational, physical, cultural and technical contexts all affect the success or failure of user interaction with e-learning courses and resources. Participants will be provided with an overview of organisational and cultural issues, an introduction to human factors affecting human-computer interaction, and to user-centred design techniques appropriate to the development of e-learning courses and resources.

? Keywords : Online learning

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : An introduction to digital environments for learning (P01038)

? Costs : Students will be required to have regular access to a networked computer, and will be responsible for providing their own computing equipment and consumables. Broadband is recommended.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Additional Class Information : The course is delivered flexibly and online.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course participants will be able to:

understand and evaluate the impact of contextual factors which influence decisions about course content, structure and delivery media

select and design appropriate media and structures for their courses, with reference to user-centred design techniques and current understanding of effectiveness and innovation in teaching and learning

design and build course components with reference to institutional and educational contexts and current understanding of best practice in course design

critically evaluate e-learning materials and interactions with reference to usability and accessibility criteria

Assessment Information

The course will be assessed with respect to two submitted items:

1) The development of a unit or units of learning designed within WebCT. This will involve a process of formative evaluation throughout the duration of the course. Final submission should include the completed unit or units of learning together with a design rationale situating the work in the students chosen context. (80%)

2) A short piece (1000 words) of written work providing critical reflection on one or more of the main themes of the course (organisational context, cultural context, policy and strategy development, project management, interface design, usability testing, inclusive design, accessibility) in the context of the students own institution, subject area, or country. (20%)