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Marina Arshavskiy

The Instructional Design for ELearning course covers the methodology, skills, and techniques necessary for developing effective eLearning solutions. This course provides the foundation for instructional development. In this course, you will

  • Explore current theories, principles, methodologies, and techniques of online learning

  • Create interactive eLearning solutions that meet your learners’ needs

  • Gain strong knowledge and skills to design eLearning interactions that increase learning effectiveness and decrease costs

Read more

The Instructional Design for ELearning course covers the methodology, skills, and techniques necessary for developing effective eLearning solutions. This course provides the foundation for instructional development. In this course, you will

  • Explore current theories, principles, methodologies, and techniques of online learning

  • Create interactive eLearning solutions that meet your learners’ needs

  • Gain strong knowledge and skills to design eLearning interactions that increase learning effectiveness and decrease costs

The course is divided into the following four sections:

  • Basic Elements of Instructional Design

  • Designing Instructionally Sound ELearning courses

  • Interactive Elements in ELearning Courses, and

  • Advancing Your Skills

After completing this course, you should be able to:

  • Analyze,      design, develop, implement and evaluate your own eLearning courses

  • Use      various data-collection methods and techniques to conduct needs analysis      for your eLearning courses

  • Create   design documents, storyboards and prototypes

  • Develop     effective assessment tools

  • Design    interactivity, games, simulations,job aids, and graphics

  • Effectively      collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

  • Select      appropriate eLearning tools

  • Manage      your eLearning projects effectively and efficiently using traditional and      agile methodologies

  • Design      Web2.0 and Mobile Learning solutions

  • Select      appropriate performance improvement interventions

  • Create      your own eLearning portfolio

  • Demonstrate knowledge, skills,      and creativity related to eLearning instructional design

Who is the course for?

The Instructional Design for eLearning course will be useful for instructional designers at any level and of any professional experience. Whether you are an aspiring instructional designer looking for a career change, a novice instructional designer trying to learn the basics of eLearning course development, a seasoned instructional designer needing a refresher, or a human resources professional designing professional development training programs for employees, this course is for you.

What are the requirements?

None. Just come prepared to learn.

What are you going to get from this course?

Over 34 lectures and 6 hours of content. Videos, articles and templates are included in this course. With all these materials, you will find that you are able to build professional, instructionally sound eLearning courses in a short period of time.

As a bonus, there is an eBook about becoming a successful instructional designer. In this eBook, you will find information on creating your eLearning portfolio that you can use to showcase your skills to your perspective employer.

Additionally,  you will get a complete ChatGPT guide for L&D professionals.

To your instructional design and eLearning success. Last updated in April 2024

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Define the terms instructional design, elearning, and blended learning
  • Describe the difference between computer-based training and web-based training
  • Identify and describe advantages and disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous elearning
  • Determine whether elearning is the appropriate solution for your needs
  • Select the most appropriate isd model for your course
  • Apply the principles of behaviorism, cognitivism and constructivism to your course design
  • Apply the concept of andragogy and malcolm knowles’s six principles of adult learning to your course design
  • Analyze learning styles and apply suitable presentation methods and techniques that address multiple learning styles
  • Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
  • Apply john keller’s arcs model of motivational design to your elearning course
  • Determine the role long-term memory, short term memory, and working memory play in learning
  • Discover ways to avoid cognitive load in your course design
  • Use ruth clark’s six principles of effective elearning courses to create elearning experiences
  • Conduct audience analysis, performance gap analysis, and task analysis
  • Utilize appropriate data collection methods and techniques to conduct needs analysis for your elearning courses
  • Write terminal and enabling learning objectives using the a-b-c-d format
  • Apply bloom’s taxonomy and three learning domains when writing your learning objectives
  • Use robert gagné’s nine events of instruction to design effective learning experiences
  • Select appropriate presentation methods and techniques that adhere to the nine events of instruction
  • Create a design document with appropriate sections and information in each section
  • Design and develop storyboards and prototypes for your course
  • Script your elearning courses using plain language principles and style guides
  • Conduct alpha, beta, and pilot testing to confirm functionality of your course
  • Develop error log for piloting courses
  • Differentiate between the learning management system (lms) and content management system (cms)
  • Use guidelines for creating scorm-compliant content
  • Use reusable learning objects (rlos) to develop courses in the cheapest and fastest way possible
  • Design section 508 compliant training materials
  • Apply kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation to elearning courses
  • Describe the relationship between needs analysis and kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation
  • Use the roi model to compare the monetary program benefits with the program costs
  • Develop different types of valid and reliable assessment items
  • Provide intrinsic and extrinsic feedback to learners
  • Differentiate between the four levels of interactivity and select the most appropriate level for your course
  • Choose linear or non-linear navigation and layout for your course
  • Select the appropriate type of game using appropriate gamification elements
  • Design the learning game that helps learners understand and retain the content
  • Select elearning authoring tool appropriate for your needs
  • Develop courses in articulate storyline, articulate rise, and captivate
  • Describe the three types of videos in elearning
  • Select your talent
  • Self-produce your elearning videos
  • Design and develop screencasts for your technical training courses
  • Record audio narration
  • Design effective graphics for your courses using ruth clark’s visual design model
  • Identify roles and responsibilities of subject matter experts (smes) in course design
  • Collaborate with smes to collect content and select appropriate information for the course
  • Manage elearning courses using the ipecc model and project management tools
  • Design effective job aids and electronic performance support systems (epss)
  • Incorporate social networking tools in elearning courses
  • Create podcasts and vodcasts for elearning
  • Design courses and supplemental materials for social and mobile learning
  • Use agile methods and techniques to design elearning experiences
  • Identify situations when performance improvement interventions are needed
  • Show more
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Syllabus

Instructional Design Basics

This lecture will provide a brief overview of the Instructional Design for ELearning course.

In this lecture, you will learn about instructional systems design, eLearning, and blended learning. You will also learn about advantages and disadvantages of eLearning as well as some of the situations when eLearning is an appropriate solution.
Read more

This quiz will cover Lecture 2 of the course - Instructional Design and eLearning.

In this lecture, you will learn about some of the most popular instructional design models, theories, and techniques including ADDIE, Seels and Glasgow ISD model, Dick and Carey Systems Approach model, Rapid ISD model, and the SAM model.

This quiz covers the most popular instructional design models used by modern course designers to create effective training materials.

In this lecture, you will learn about the main principles of behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. You will also learn about the concept of andragogy and the six principles of adult learning.

This quiz will focus on learning theories and how they guide curriculum development.

In this lecture, you will learn about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and its influences on training courses. You will also learn about the WIIFM principle as well as John Keller’s ARCS Model of Motivational Design. In addition, you will learn how to apply these models and principles to your course design.

This quiz covers the role of motivation in training development.

In this lecture, you will learn about the role memory plays in learning as well as about long-term, short-term, and working memory. The lecture will cover George Miller’s magical number and how it relates to learning design, and finally, you will learn about the Cognitive load theory and things you can do to avoid Cognitive load in your course design.

This quiz covers how memory influences learning.

This lecture will provide an overview of Section 2.

In this lecture, you will learn, the importance of analysis in instructional design. You will also learn about the audience analysis, performance gap analysis, and task analysis. In addition, different data collection methods and techniques will be covered in this lesson. At the end, we will go over the steps for conducting needs analysis to help you put everything in perspective.

This quiz covers writing learning objectives for training courses.

This quiz covers ways to design effective learning experiences.

This quiz covers creating an effective Design Document.

This quiz covers storyboarding and prototyping as it relates to eLearning and instructional design.

This quiz covers scripting your eLearning courses.

This quiz covers quality assurance in eLearning.

This quiz covers implementation of eLearning courses.

In this lecture, you will learn about formative and summative evaluation, Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation, Application of Kirkpatrick’s model to eLearning courses, and the relationship between Needs Analysis and Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation. You will also learn about Level 5 evaluation: ROI model.

This quiz covers the 4 Levels of Evaluations.

This quiz covers writing effective assessments.

This lecture will provide an overview of Section 3.

In this lecture, you will learn about interactivity in eLearning. Specifically, you will learn about the different types of eLearning interactions, the four levels of interactivity and which level of interactivity you should select for your courses. You will also learn about linear and non-linear navigation.

This quiz covers developing interactive eLearning courses and training materials.

This quiz covers designing instructional games and simulations.

In this lecture, you will learn about Adobe eLearning Suite authoring tools, Rapid eLearning tools, screencasting, screenshot capturing, and interactivity development tools.You will also learn how to choose the right tool for your specific needs.

This quiz covers eLearning authoring tools.

In this lecture, you will learn about the three types of videos in eLearning. You will also talk about selecting your talent. At the end, you'll learn how to create effective screencasts in eLearning.

This quiz covers video in eLearning.

This quiz covers audio in eLearning.

In this lecture, you will learn about the benefits of adding graphics to eLearning courses. Additionally, you will learn about the types of visuals you can use in your courses, the seven types of graphics for eLearning, and also about the color theory and typography basics. Furthermore, you will be introduced to Ruth Clark’s visual design model and will learn about the common types of image files.

This quiz covers graphics in ELearning.

This lecture will provide an overview of Section 4.

In this lecture, you will learn about the roles and responsibilities of SMEs in course design. You will learn how to select information for the course and some of the ways to repurpose classroom materials. In addition, you will learn how to collect required content from SMEs and ways to communicate with them.

This quiz covers working with SMEs.

This quiz covers different phases of eLearning project management.

This quiz covers eLearning job aids.

Web2.0, social and mobile learning will be covered in this lecture.

This quiz covers Web 2.0 and mobile learning solutions.

In this lecture, you will learn about agile eLearning management and development.

This quiz covers agile ELearning design.

In this lecture, you will learn about various performance improvement interventions.

This quiz covers various performance improvement interventions.

This lecture will summarize all four sections/courses. You will also learn about the different presentation methods that you can use in your eLearning courses.

This BONUS lecture contains an eBook titled Becoming Instructional Designer- What does it take? This eBook covers how to become an instructional designer and walks you through portfolio development.

Struggling to captivate learners and personalize training? This comprehensive guide unveils the L&D's secret weapon! Imagine generating learning objectives, lessons, assessments, and feedback in minutes, all tailored to individual needs!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundation in instructional design, covering theories, methodologies, and techniques for creating effective eLearning solutions, which is essential for instructional design roles
Develops skills in analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating eLearning courses, which are core competencies for instructional designers in various settings
Explores data collection methods for needs analysis, which is a critical skill for tailoring eLearning content to specific learner requirements and organizational goals
Covers the creation of design documents, storyboards, and prototypes, which are essential deliverables in the instructional design process for visualizing and planning eLearning content
Includes a guide for L&D professionals on using ChatGPT, which may help learners leverage AI to streamline content creation and personalize learning experiences
Teaches the use of Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, and Captivate, which may require learners to purchase or subscribe to these tools separately

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive guide to elearning design

Learners interested in building a foundation in instructional design for eLearning might find this course highly comprehensive. It appears designed to cover a wide range of topics, from foundational theories like ADDIE and learning principles to practical skills like creating design documents, storyboards, and effective assessments. The syllabus suggests coverage of various authoring tools, media elements (video, audio, graphics), working with Subject Matter Experts, and project management. It seems suitable for those new to the field or needing a refresher, covering different levels of experience. Recent updates, including a ChatGPT guide, suggest the content is kept current.
Covers recent trends and tools.
"I see topics like agile methodology for project management and social/mobile learning."
"It mentions using authoring tools and creating screencasts."
"The inclusion of a ChatGPT guide feels very current and useful."
Aims to help build a career portfolio.
"The course description mentions creating a portfolio to showcase skills."
"The bonus eBook about becoming an instructional designer is a nice touch for career changers."
"Learning to work with SMEs and manage projects feels very relevant for a professional role."
Emphasizes creating actual deliverables.
"I anticipate learning how to create design documents, storyboards, and even assessment items."
"It seems to cover practical steps like testing courses (alpha, beta, pilot)."
"The promise of learning to design interactions, games, and job aids sounds very practical."
Covers many essential ID areas.
"I feel I'd get a wide-ranging introduction to instructional design, from theories to practical application."
"The course appears to touch on needs analysis, objectives, evaluation, and even media like video and audio."
"It looks like it covers different instructional design models and learning theories, which is a great foundation."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Instructional Design for ELearning with these activities:
Review Learning Theories
Solidify your understanding of foundational learning theories to better apply them in eLearning design.
Browse courses on Behaviorism
Show steps
  • Read summaries of behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.
  • Compare and contrast these theories.
  • Reflect on how these theories apply to eLearning design.
Review 'Instructional Design: The ADDIE Approach'
Deepen your understanding of the ADDIE model and its application in eLearning design.
Show steps
  • Read the book's chapters on each phase of the ADDIE model.
  • Identify the key activities in each phase.
  • Reflect on how you can apply the ADDIE model to your projects.
Review 'e-Learning and the Science of Instruction'
Gain insights into evidence-based strategies for designing instructionally sound eLearning courses.
Show steps
  • Read the book's key chapters on multimedia learning principles.
  • Summarize the main points of each chapter.
  • Apply these principles to your own eLearning design projects.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Peer Review of eLearning Design Documents
Participate in a peer review session to provide and receive feedback on eLearning design documents.
Show steps
  • Share your design document with a peer.
  • Review your peer's design document.
  • Provide constructive feedback.
  • Discuss the feedback and identify areas for improvement.
Create a Blog Post on eLearning Trends
Research and write a blog post summarizing current trends in eLearning, such as AI, personalization, and gamification.
Show steps
  • Research current trends in eLearning.
  • Outline the key points of your blog post.
  • Write the blog post, including examples and insights.
  • Edit and publish the blog post.
Design a Microlearning Module
Apply your knowledge by designing a short, focused microlearning module on a topic related to instructional design.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific learning objective.
  • Create a storyboard for the module.
  • Develop the module using an authoring tool.
  • Gather feedback and revise the module.
Develop an eLearning Storyboard Template
Create a reusable storyboard template that incorporates best practices for eLearning design.
Show steps
  • Research best practices for eLearning storyboarding.
  • Design the template with clear sections for content, visuals, and audio.
  • Test the template with a sample eLearning module.
  • Refine the template based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Instructional Design for ELearning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
eLearning Developer
An eLearning Developer creates engaging and effective online learning experiences. This role involves designing, developing, and implementing interactive modules, simulations, and assessments. The Instructional Design for ELearning course helps build a foundation for this career. The course touches on topics such as creating design documents, storyboards, and prototypes which are essential for the kind of work the eLearning developer performs. The course's focus, including how to design interactive elements, manage eLearning projects, and select appropriate eLearning tools, directly translates to success in the role. The course also addresses how to develop content accessible on mobile devices.
Learning Experience Designer
The Learning Experience Designer focuses on creating engaging and effective learning experiences for online learners. They design interactive modules, simulations, and assessments that promote knowledge retention and skill development. The Instructional Design for ELearning course is directly aligned with the responsibilities of a Learning Experience Designer. The course's emphasis on creating interactive eLearning solutions, designing interactivity, and developing effective assessment tools helps the learner in this role. The course's material on needs analysis, project management, and mobile learning solutions further enhances the learning experience designer's skill set.
Online Course Creator
An Online Course Creator develops and delivers engaging online courses for various audiences. This involves designing course content, creating multimedia materials, and facilitating online discussions. The Instructional Design for ELearning course is valuable for anyone looking to become an Online Course Creator. The course provides the necessary skills and techniques for developing high-quality eLearning solutions. The course also focuses on how to develop interactive eLearning solutions, design interactivity, and select appropriate eLearning tools, all of which are crucial for creating successful online courses.
Instructional Technologist
An Instructional Technologist supports faculty and staff in the design, development, and delivery of online and blended courses. They provide training on instructional technologies, assist with course design, and troubleshoot technical issues. The Instructional Design for ELearning course goes over the fundamentals of instructional design and eLearning. The curriculum covers the basic elements of instructional design, designing instructionally sound eLearning courses, and interactive elements in eLearning courses. The Instructional Technologist would find this course to be particularly useful.
Instructional Coordinator
The Instructional Coordinator is responsible for overseeing and improving the quality of educational programs. They evaluate existing curricula, develop new learning materials, and provide support to instructors. This role fits well with the Instructional Design for ELearning course, which covers the methodology, skills, and techniques. The course helps build skills in analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating eLearning courses. The course's instruction in using data-collection methods for needs analysis, developing assessment tools, and designing interactive elements are crucial for instructional coordinators.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum Developers create and revise educational materials to meet specific learning objectives. They collaborate with subject matter experts, conduct research on best practices, and design engaging learning experiences. The Instructional Design for ELearning course is highly relevant, as it covers the entire instructional design process. In particular, the course specifically addresses best practices. The coverage of topics such as audience analysis, writing learning objectives, developing storyboards, and selecting appropriate eLearning tools are helpful to the Curriculum Developer.
Corporate Trainer
A Corporate Trainer develops and delivers training programs for employees within an organization. They assess training needs, create training materials, and evaluate the effectiveness of training initiatives. The Instructional Design for ELearning course helps trainers design and develop eLearning courses that meet the needs of their employees. The course helps build skills in creating interactive eLearning solutions, designing effective assessments, and collaborating with Subject Matter Experts. The ability to design Web 2.0 and mobile learning solutions, as covered in the course, is increasingly important for corporate trainers.
eLearning Project Manager
An eLearning Project Manager oversees the development and implementation of eLearning projects. This involves managing project timelines, budgets, and resources, as well as coordinating the work of instructional designers, developers, and subject matter experts. The Instructional Design for ELearning course has a direct correlation to an eLearning Project Manager. The course mentions project management tools. The course assists with managing eLearning projects effectively and efficiently using traditional and agile methodologies. The course goes over working with SMEs.
Training Specialist
A Training Specialist designs and delivers training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge. Training Specialists evaluate training needs, develop training materials, and assess the effectiveness of training programs. The Instructional Design for ELearning course helps prepare individuals for this role by providing a comprehensive toolkit for creating effective eLearning solutions. For example, the course's coverage of needs analysis, objective writing, assessment development, and interactive design can allow the training specialist to excel in the role.
Multimedia Specialist
A Multimedia Specialist creates and integrates multimedia elements into eLearning courses. This includes designing graphics, producing videos, and recording audio. The Instructional Design for ELearning course provides relevant skills for Multimedia Specialists who want to enhance their expertise in eLearning. In particular, the course assists with designing effective graphics, producing eLearning videos, and recording audio narration, which are essential components of multimedia development for online learning.
Accessibility Specialist
An Accessibility Specialist ensures that eLearning materials are accessible to learners with disabilities. This involves applying accessibility standards, testing materials for compliance, and providing guidance to instructional designers and developers. The Instructional Design for ELearning course has a segment on accessibility, which is particularly relevant to an Accessibility Specialist. The course specifically mentions Section 508 compliance when creating training materials. The course may be helpful for those who want to ensure their eLearning courses are accessible and inclusive.
Training Consultant
A Training Consultant partners with organizations to identify training needs and develop customized training solutions. They may conduct needs assessments, design training programs, and evaluate training effectiveness. The Instructional Design for ELearning course may be useful to Training Consultants. The course helps build a foundation in eLearning design and development. In particular, the course covers needs analysis, assessment development, and evaluation methodologies. The course goes over best practices.
Educational Consultant
An Educational Consultant provides expert advice and guidance to educational institutions and organizations. They assess learning needs, recommend instructional strategies, and evaluate program effectiveness. The Instructional Design for ELearning course may be useful for Educational Consultants, as it provides a solid foundation in eLearning principles and practices. The course's focus on needs analysis, assessment development, and evaluation methodologies are all useful for improving eLearning. The course's material on performance improvement interventions is also relevant to this role.
Educational Technology Specialist
An Educational Technology Specialist integrates technology into the classroom to enhance teaching and learning. They evaluate educational software and hardware, provide training to teachers, and support the use of technology in instruction. The Instructional Design for ELearning course might be helpful. The course focuses on designing effective eLearning solutions. The Educational Technology Specialist can apply the skills learned in the course to create interactive and engaging learning experiences for students. The course's instruction on eLearning tools can be valuable in this role.
Content Strategist
A Content Strategist is responsible for planning, developing, and managing content across various platforms. The Instructional Design for ELearning course may be useful when online learning is part of the content strategy. In particular, the course's lessons on designing instructionally sound eLearning solutions may be helpful. The course also goes over agile methods and techniques to design eLearning experiences.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Instructional Design for ELearning.
Provides a research-based guide to designing effective eLearning experiences. It translates cognitive science principles into practical design strategies, covering topics like reducing cognitive load, using visuals effectively, and promoting active learning. It valuable resource for instructional designers looking to create engaging and impactful online courses, and is often used as a textbook in instructional design programs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model, a widely used framework for instructional design. It explores each phase of the ADDIE model in detail, offering practical guidance and examples. It useful reference tool for instructional designers at all levels, and is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions.

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