Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MDDE) 604

Overview

MDDE 604: Instructional Design in Distance Education is a project-based course that introduces instructional design principles and explores their application in a realistic way. Step by step, you will work through each stage of the instructional systems design (ISD) process, designing, developing and evaluating distance learning materials. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies will also be explored in the context of supporting instructional design content development, assessments, and learner experiences. In the role of instructional designer, you will systematically create an original unit of instruction or learning object that meets an educational need or solves an identified performance problem. Giving and receiving feedback is an important skill for Instructional Designers, thus timely interaction with classmates is a required component of this course. 

Outline

The course is divided into 13 weekly units:

• Week 1: Getting Started with Instruction Design in Distance Education
• Week 2: Needs Analysis
• Week 3: Content Analysis and Student Assessment
• Week 4: ISD Project Proposal
• Week 5: Pre-Planning: Blueprinting and Design
• Week 6: Planning Resources: Multimedia and Digital Interactions
• Week 7: Meeting Learner Needs: CoI and Cognitive Load
• Week 8: Addressing Quality Assurance (User Interface and Accessibility)
• Week 9: ISD Project Peer Reviews and Revisions
• Week 10: Finalizing Module Development
• Week 11: Pilot Testing
• Week 12: Data Analysis and Reflection
• Week 13: Looking Forward

Learning outcomes

1. Apply the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) approach, using the ADDIE model, to the creation of an online module of instruction that addresses identified performance gaps
2. Design, develop, implement and evaluate online instruction, in line with a critical and reflective perspective on current theories, models, concepts and strategic approaches in instructional design
3. Apply appropriate copyright and accessibility guidelines in the creation of online instruction
4. Practice and perfect skills in evaluating and providing feedback on the work of other instructional designers through peer review and pilot testing

Evaluation

There are a total of seven (7) evaluated assignments for MDDE 604:

Materials

Digital course materials

Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:

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Online Study Guide and course readings.

Important links

• Course schedule