Create video, audio and infographics for online learning from Coursera

Multimodal texts make learning interesting. Video, podcasts and infographics not only have the capability to excite and engage, but to reach a broader demography of learners who don’t thrive on verbal language knowledge acquisition and exchange alone. Multimodal texts provide a variety of ways in which to communicate and provide information to learners, as well as meet the needs of different learners’ preferences.

Using video, podcasts, infographics or images as well as text, directly impacts learning outcomes. Design decisions that incorporate multimodal learning objects – made by both educators and learners – can make learning memorable, meaningful and retainable.

Decisions we make about how we communicate should be done through a systematic and informed process, rather than via a random selection of tools. In this course, you’ll explore learning design principles associated with how, why and when to use multimodal texts. You’ll also explore and analyse the features and benefits of a range of text types, such as video, audio and infographics.

The course is designed for educators, teachers, learning designers, instructional designers, tutors, lecturers, course convenors and anyone else who may be interested in creating powerful and memorable learning experiences for learners of all ages.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you’ll:

1. Recognise best practice design principles and approaches for multimodal text creation

2. Select, design and create a variety of multimodal text types, including video, audio and infographics

3. Critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the different multimodal text types

What's inside

Syllabus

The principles of good online learning design

Welcome to week 1! It is important to consider some design parameters before you start to create your own multimodal learning objects. This week, we’ll explore four key principle that will inform the design of the learning sequence in which your learning objects will sit. They are; time, space, purpose and the online instructor's role. We'll also explore the 'rapid-design process' and provide you with some tools and techniques for the weeks of multimodal learning object creation ahead. Get ready to design and create you very own multimodal text types!

Designing infographic multimodal text types

Welcome to week 2! This week you will be given the opportunity to design and build your own infographic. Infographics can add real value to an online course when designed, developed and implemented well. As you will discover this week, there are many advantages of incorporating infographics into your own online course. We'd argue that infographics work best if they are paired with a 'friend'. What do we mean by this? Continue on to learn more!

Designing audio multimodal text types

Welcome to Week 3! Audio resources and educational podcasts are growing in popularity. Do you listen to podcasts or e-books? This week we dive into audio text type creation. Creating your own podcast can be fun and simple. This week you will have the chance to listen to some experienced podcasters who have created their own podcasts specifically for their learners.

Designing video multimodal text types

Welcome to week 4! Visual storytelling can help make complex stories easier to understand and, as a result, deliver a more impactful message. That is the power of video, as you will discover this week when you create your own video. Creating a powerful instructional video learning resource is a time consuming and intensive process. This week we'll share some tips and tricks with you that will save you time and energy when you make your own instructional videos. Lights! Camera! Action!

Prototyping and the critical friend protocol

Welcome to week 5! We hope that you've enjoyed designing and creating your own learning objects. Now it's time to prototype and iterate the three learning objects you've made so far. To improve our learning objects we can ask our friends and colleagues for feedback. This week we will focus on the importance of both providing and receiving effective feedback, and share with you a structured way to give and receive meaningful and constructive feedback, which is called the 'critical friend protocol'.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces principles of good online learning design, which is common in online courses

Covers how to design infographic, audio, and video multimodal text types, which are current industry practices

Offers hands-on opportunities for learners to prototype and iterate their own learning objects, which is highly practical

Stresses the importance of feedback and provides a structured critical friend protocol for this purpose, demonstrating best industry practice

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 Create video, audio and infographics for online learning with these activities:

Review the basics of video editing

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If you are new to video editing, or if it has been a while since you have used video editing software, it is a good idea to review the basics before you start creating your own videos.

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Watch a few video editing tutorials
Practice editing videos using a tool like iMovie or Final Cut Pro

Read The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte

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Edward Tufte's classic book on data visualization is a must-read for anyone interested in creating effective infographics and other data visualizations. This book will teach you the principles of good data visualization and how to avoid common pitfalls.

View Beautiful Evidence on Amazon

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Read the book
Take notes on the key concepts
Apply what you learn to your own work

Review principles of multimedia learning

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Review the key principles of multimedia learning to enhance your understanding of how different media formats can impact learning outcomes.

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Read the assigned textbook chapters or articles on multimedia learning principles.
Summarize the key concepts and principles in your own words.
Create a mind map or diagram to visualize the relationships between the principles.

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Read "The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning"

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Delve into the comprehensive insights and research findings presented in "The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning" to gain a deeper understanding of the cognitive and educational principles underlying multimodal learning.

View Multimedia Learning on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters relevant to the course topics.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Discuss the book's insights with peers or instructors.

Explore online resources on multimodal learning

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Seek out and engage with online resources (e.g., articles, videos, webinars) that provide further insights into multimodal learning principles and best practices.

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Search for reputable websites and organizations specializing in multimodal learning.
Explore their resources, including articles, videos, and webinars.
Take notes on key concepts and insights.

Join a study group with other students in your course

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Studying with other students is a great way to learn the material and prepare for exams. By joining a study group, you can get support from your peers and work together to achieve your goals.

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Find a study group that meets your needs
Attend study group meetings regularly
Participate in discussions and ask questions

Practice creating infographics on different topics

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Infographics are a powerful tool for communicating information in a clear and visually appealing way. By creating infographics on different topics, you can practice your design skills and learn how to effectively communicate complex information.

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Choose a topic that you are interested in
Gather data and information about your topic
Design your infographic using a tool like Canva or Piktochart
Share your infographic with others and get feedback

Design a multimodal infographic

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Create an infographic that visually represents the key concepts of multimodal learning, incorporating elements such as images, charts, and text to enhance understanding.

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Brainstorm and outline the key points you want to convey.
Select appropriate visual elements (e.g., images, icons, charts) to represent your content.
Use design tools (e.g., Canva, Piktochart) to create your infographic.
Review and refine your infographic based on feedback from peers or instructors.

Follow a tutorial on how to create a podcast

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Creating a podcast is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others. By following a tutorial, you can learn the basics of podcasting and how to create a podcast that is both informative and engaging.

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Find a tutorial on how to create a podcast
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create your own podcast
Share your podcast with others and get feedback

Analyze multimodal text examples

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Engage in detailed analysis of various multimodal texts, including videos, podcasts, and infographics, to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness in conveying information.

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Collect different types of multimodal texts related to the course topics.
Examine the texts and identify their key elements (e.g., visuals, audio, text).
Analyze how the different elements work together to convey meaning.
Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the texts in achieving their intended learning objectives.

Participate in peer review and feedback

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Engage in peer review sessions where you exchange feedback on each other's multimodal learning objects, providing constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.

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Form small peer groups.
Share your multimodal learning objects with your group.
Provide constructive feedback on the strengths and areas for improvement of each other's work.
Incorporate feedback into your own learning object.

Attend a workshop on multimodal learning design

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Participate in a workshop focused on multimodal learning design principles and best practices, gaining hands-on experience and insights from experts in the field.

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Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and activities.
Apply the acquired knowledge and skills to your own multimodal learning design projects.

Create a video tutorial on a topic you are passionate about

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Creating a video tutorial is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others. By choosing a topic that you are passionate about, you can create a video that is both informative and engaging.

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Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you have expertise in
Write a script for your video
Record your video using a tool like Loom or Camtasia
Edit your video using a tool like iMovie or Final Cut Pro
Share your video with others and get feedback

Develop a multimodal learning object

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Create a multimodal learning object (e.g., video, podcast, interactive presentation) that incorporates the principles of multimedia learning to effectively convey a specific topic or concept.

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Identify a specific learning objective for your learning object.
Select appropriate media formats and design elements to engage learners.
Develop a storyboard or script to outline the content and structure of your learning object.
Create your learning object using suitable tools and software.
Review and refine your learning object based on feedback from peers or instructors.

Career center

Learners who complete Create video, audio and infographics for online learning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create learning experiences that are engaging and effective. They use a variety of methods to deliver instruction, including video, audio, and infographics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of your learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Learning Experience Designer

Learning Experience Designers create and develop learning experiences that are engaging and effective. They use a variety of methods to deliver instruction, including video, audio, and infographics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of your learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Experience Designer

E-Learning Developer

E-Learning Developers create and develop online learning courses. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality e-learning courses that meet the needs of your learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for E-Learning Developer

Multimedia Developer

Multimedia Developers create and develop multimedia content, such as video, audio, and infographics. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and interactive content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality multimedia content that meets the needs of your audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Developer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual content, such as infographics and images. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and informative content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality graphic content that meets the needs of your audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Podcaster

Podcasters create and produce podcasts. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and informative podcasts. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality podcasts that meet the needs of your audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcaster

Audio Producer

Audio Producers create and produce audio content. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and informative audio content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality audio content that meets the needs of your audience.

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Video Producer

Video Producers create and produce video content. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and informative videos. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality video content that meets the needs of your audience.

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Educator

Educators teach and train students in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and universities. They use a variety of methods to deliver instruction, including video, audio, and infographics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of your students.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants work with schools, districts, and other organizations to improve teaching and learning. They use a variety of methods to support educators, including providing feedback, coaching, and professional development. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective educational consultant.

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Instructional Coach

Instructional Coaches work with teachers and other educators to improve teaching and learning. They use a variety of methods to support teachers, including providing feedback, coaching, and professional development. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective instructional coach.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers create and develop curriculum for a variety of educational settings, including schools, colleges, and universities. They use a variety of methods to create effective and engaging curriculum, including video, audio, and infographics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective curriculum developer.

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Learning and Development Specialist

Learning and Development Specialists work with organizations to create and deliver training and development programs. They use a variety of methods to create effective and engaging learning experiences, including video, audio, and infographics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective learning and development specialist.

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Content Creator

Content Creators create and develop content for a variety of platforms, including websites, blogs, and social media. They use a variety of tools and technologies to create engaging and informative content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality content that meets the needs of your audience.

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Trainer

Trainers teach and train individuals and groups in a variety of settings, including workplaces, schools, and community centers. They use a variety of methods to deliver instruction, including video, audio, and infographics. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create high-quality training experiences that meet the needs of your learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Trainer