Online and blended learning requires much more than simply moving content into a digital environment. Effective online and blended learning uses intentional design strategies to ensure that technology is used to enhance learning rather than control the learning and activities.
By the end of this course, I was charged with:
- Analyzing important elements of online learning design to develop an effective online or blended course design.
- Appling the instructional design strategy and create an online or blended learning implementation.
- Evaluating design choices, pedagogical perspectives, and implementation strategies of the online or blended learning design project.
- Participating in constructive review and feedback of peer design projects.
- Compiling digital resources that influence others and will promote the potential of your design project.
Design
In the design step, I began the process of defining exactly the course goals and medium for learning to implement my innovation plan. In this step, I developed the essential documents for my course while ensuring they align with both state and project-based learning outcomes.
The biggest challenge during the design phase was deciding the best methodology to provide my learners during implementation. How do I teach them? This became my essential question as I progressed through my development.
Implementation
In the implementation step, I began the process of designing my course through the Canvas LMS. Whilst challenging to undertake the endeavor of designing an entire course (well, the first unit of the course) the challenge was welcome and met with great enthusiasm.
By the end of the course, I had successfully completed the development of my major projects, syllabus, resources, and the first complete unit of my implementation plan. My learners will be challenged in the offset to learn application design through an intricately created system of individualized learning and accountability.
Usability
In the useability step, I was charged with testing the effectiveness of my LMS design on Canvas. Using a Survey based approach, testers were given access to my course where they were to record themselves working through various modules. At the end of their test, they would then answer the survey questions and submit a copy of their screen recording.
The biggest challenge during the useability testing phase reaching a point where I was comfortable with the material needed for testing. As a perfectionist at heart, there is a part of me that wanted to complete the entire course. I had to remember that the development of this course isn’t just a “me” thing. Upon implementation of my innovation strategy, my goal is to seek further input from my investors and participants within the project to create a stronger course geared towards project-based learning and student success in the computer science classroom.
Summary & Reflection
Overall, the design of my innovation strategy towards the end of my ADL journey was a rewarding experience indeed. Finally bringing myself closer and closer to implementation was a profound joy as I finally began to see all the work that I’ve developed during these last 12 months. I am confident, that as I continue to develop my course on canvas, that I will be prepared for the needs of my learners and the growth opportunities and challenges that come with the implementation of my innovation strategy.
Where Dreams & Technology Meet! 