As an online instructor, you may find yourself involved in numerous roles related to online course design. Whether you are responsible for the conversion or adaptation of a traditional course for online delivery, assigned to teach courses that were previously designed and developed by others, or relied on for content expertise as a member of a design and development team, your understanding of the online course design process is crucial to the development of an effective learning environment for future students.
Online course design requires a wide range of skills and tools. It is important to manage both the design, with a focus on learning objectives, and the technical aspects. The goal is to create an effective course that prepares students for success in more advanced topics to come and to give them the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals.
This article provides an overview of the field of instructional design and technology, a look at the typical process of an online course design project, guidelines for faculty subject matter experts (SME), as well as resources for further reading and research.
Instructional Design & Technology
Instructional Design and Technology is an area of study and practice that is constantly evolving. Robert Reiser, in
Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology, tracks the changing definitions from the 1920s and the first use of visual media in education, to present day descriptions of a field that "encompasses the analysis of learning and performance problems, and the design, development, implementation, evaluation and management of instructional and non-instructional processes and resources intended to improve learning and performance in a variety of settings, particularly educational institutions and the workplace." This definition covers a lot of ground and there are many different ways to approach the work.
Models, Theories, and Frameworks
Martin Ryder, an instructor with the Graduate School of Education at the University of Colorado at Denver, maintains a
popular list of instructional design models that includes frequently used models as well as resources related to learning theories and taxonomies. These models are applicable to both traditional and online design projects. Don Clark, and experienced instructional designer and e-learning consultant, also maintains a thorough
Web resource and focuses on four models: ADDIE/ISD, Extended ADDIE, Learning Design Framework, and Agile Design.
Competencies
Instructional designers are expected to have a wide range of skills — otherwise known as competencies — and they often work with a team of design and development professionals to create online courses. The International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPE) provides a
list of 23 competency areas in the field of instructional design as well as a Code of Ethical Standards. The competencies range from communication and research skills to material development and project management. Entry-level instructional design courses use a number of textbooks that both address these competencies and outline the course development process.
Online Learning Quality Initiatives
Quality initiatives, particularly in online education, have been influential in developing methods for course and program review to ensure that courses have value and are effective in student learning. Additional factors, such as usability, and student support, which are also part of design and development, are also included. Take a look at a few of these checklists and rubrics to get a better idea of the scope of online course design.