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Designing a Course With edX

Brian McCandless, Abby Wentworth, and Alyssa Neville

4.5

Based on 12 ratings

, see reviews

Brian McCandless, Abby Wentworth, and Alyssa Neville

Designing a Course with edX is the first course in our three part series of courses dedicated to guiding you through the process of designing, building and running a course within the edX ecosystem.

In this course we will define the design principles that underpin effective learning experiences, Identify the key characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edX course, help you recognize your intended learner audience and understand their goals, and develop a thoughtful, strategic and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan tailored to meet prospective learners’ needs.

Designing a Course with edX is the first course in our three part series of courses dedicated to guiding you through the process of designing, building and running a course within the edX ecosystem.

Whether you're an experienced educator or new to the world of online learning, Designing a Course with edX is here to support you in your journey towards creating impactful educational experiences in the edX ecosystem.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

After completing this course, learners will be able to:
-define design principles of effective learning experiences.
-identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edx course.

-identify specific intended learning audiences and their goals.
-develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan that meets the needs of the intended course audience.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:
-define design principles of effective learning experiences.
-identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edx course.
-identify specific intended learning audiences and their goals.
-develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan that meets the needs of the intended course audience.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for both experienced veterans of the education sector and individuals new to the world of online learning

Provides real-world guidance for developing engaging and effective online courses tailored to your intended audience's needs

Taught by instructors who have extensive expertise in designing, developing, and delivering online courses

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Reviews summary

Designing impactful courses on edx

According to students, "Designing a Course with edX" provides a solid foundation for educators and content creators looking to build impactful online learning experiences specifically on the edX platform. Learners say the course excels at outlining effective learning design principles and guiding them through the process of identifying target audiences. It is frequently highlighted as a crucial first step in the edX course creation series, offering valuable insights into strategic planning and marketing for online courses. While highly praised for its conceptual frameworks, some learners note it is more theoretically focused than hands-on, indicating its role as a precursor to practical building courses.

Serves as a strong starting point for a multi-part learning journey.

"This course perfectly sets the stage for the next parts of the edX series."

"I see it as a necessary first step before diving into the actual building process."

"It provides a strong conceptual groundwork for what follows."

Guides on understanding learners and developing a cohesive course strategy.

"Understanding my intended audience and developing a marketing plan was a key takeaway."

"I appreciate the guidance on creating a cohesive course strategy."

"It helped me think strategically about learner goals and course outreach."

Focuses on foundational principles for learning experiences.

"I found the principles outlined for effective learning experiences very insightful."

"The course clearly articulates what makes an online learning experience impactful."

"It helped me grasp the core design thinking necessary for educational content."

Specifically tailored for course creation on the edX platform.

"This course is invaluable for anyone aiming to create content specifically for edX."

"I learned how to tailor my course design to leverage the edX platform's features."

"It provides an edX-centric perspective on online course development."

Highly specific to edX, limiting broader applicability.

"While excellent for edX, the content might not transfer easily to other LMS platforms."

"This course is highly specialized for edX users, which is great if that's your platform."

"I wouldn't recommend it if you're designing for a generic online learning environment."

May be more conceptual and less focused on practical implementation.

"I was looking for more practical, hands-on instructions for building on edX."

"The course felt quite theoretical, focusing heavily on design concepts rather than implementation."

"It prepared me for *what* to design, but less on *how* to build it."

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 Designing a Course With edX with these activities:

Watch Videos on Effective Online Teaching

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Expand your knowledge by learning from experts

Browse courses on Online Teaching

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Find videos on online teaching
Watch the videos

Complete EdX's Course Design Tutorial

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Gain practical experience by following step-by-step instructions

Browse courses on Course Design

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Follow the tutorial
Complete the exercises

Join a Study Group for Course Design

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Collaborate with peers and enhance your understanding

Browse courses on Course Design

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Find a study group
Join the study group
Participate in study sessions

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Read The Design of Everyday Things

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Gain a deeper understanding by learning the concepts from the author of the book

View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon

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

Attend an Online Workshop on Course Design

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Engage with experts and learn from their experiences

Browse courses on Course Design

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Find an online workshop
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop

Create a course resource compilation

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Compile resources such as tutorials, articles, and code snippets that are relevant to the course topics. Organize them in a logical manner to serve as a valuable reference for future learning.

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Identify relevant resources
Organize resources into categories
Create a digital or physical compilation

Develop a Course Outline

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Solidify your understanding by creating a structured plan for your course

Browse courses on Course Design

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Identify the learning objectives
Outline the key topics
Develop the content for each topic
Create a timeline for the course

Design a Course Website

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Enhance your practical skills by crafting a website

Browse courses on Web Design

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Choose a website builder
Design the layout
Add content to the website
Test the website
Launch the website

Volunteer as a Course Mentor

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Gain practical experience while helping others

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Find a course to volunteer for
Apply for the mentorship position
Mentor students

Career center

Learners who complete Designing a Course With edX will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Learning Designer

Learning designers are responsible for creating and delivering engaging and effective learning experiences for learners of all ages. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to implement principles of effective learning experiences and identify the key characteristics of a well-designed and accessible online course. This course will help you to recognize your intended learner audience and understand their goals, develop a thoughtful, strategic and cohesive course strategy, and marketing plan tailored to meet prospective learners’ needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Designer

Educational Consultant

Educational consultants work with schools, colleges, and other organizations to help them improve their educational programs and services. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to define design principles of effective learning experiences, identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edX course, identify specific intended learning audiences and their goals, and develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan that meets the needs of the intended course audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant

Instructional Designer

Instructional designers develop, deliver, and evaluate instructional materials and programs. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to define design principles of effective learning experiences, identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edX course, identify specific intended learning audiences and their goals, and develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan that meets the needs of the intended course audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers design and develop educational programs and materials. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to define design principles of effective learning experiences, identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edX course, identify specific intended learning audiences and their goals, and develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan that meets the needs of the intended course audience. This would be especially valuable for curriculum developers who work with online programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Training Manager

Training managers oversee the development and delivery of training programs for employees. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to define design principles of effective learning experiences, identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edX course, identify specific intended learning audiences and their goals, and develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy and marketing plan that meets the needs of the intended course audience. This would be particularly valuable for managers overseeing online training programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training Manager

Education Researcher

Education researchers study the effectiveness of different educational programs and practices. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to identify the characteristics of a well-designed and accessible edX course and develop a thoughtful, strategic, and cohesive course strategy. You will also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of your course and make improvements based on your findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Researcher

Education Policy Analyst

Education policy analysts develop and analyze policies that affect education. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to design and develop educational programs and materials that are aligned with educational policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policy Analyst

Education Administrator

Education administrators oversee the operations of schools and other educational institutions. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to develop and implement educational programs and services that meet the needs of students and the community. This could be particularly valuable for administrators who work with online learning programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Administrator

Teacher

Teachers help students learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to design and deliver effective learning experiences for students in an online environment. This may be particularly valuable for teachers who work with online learning programs or who want to develop their own online courses.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to design and deliver effective learning experiences for students in an online environment. This may be particularly valuable for professors who teach online courses or who want to develop their own online courses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Education Consultant

Education consultants work with schools, colleges, and other organizations to help them improve their educational programs and services. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to design and develop educational programs and materials that are aligned with educational policies. This would be particularly valuable for consultants who work with online learning programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Higher Education Administrator

Higher education administrators oversee the operations of colleges and universities. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to develop and implement educational programs and services that meet the needs of students and the community. This could be particularly valuable for administrators who work with online learning programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Administrator

Instructional Technology Specialist

Instructional technology specialists help teachers and students use technology to improve learning. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to design and deliver effective learning experiences for students in an online environment. This would be particularly valuable for specialists who work with online learning programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Technology Specialist

Program Manager

Program managers oversee the development and implementation of programs and services. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to develop and implement educational programs and services that meet the needs of students and the community. This could be particularly valuable for program managers who work with online learning programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Technical Writer

Technical writers create and edit technical documentation, such as user manuals, training materials, and marketing collateral. With a course on designing a course with edX, you will learn how to design and develop educational programs and materials that are clear, concise, and easy to understand. This would be particularly valuable for technical writers who work with online learning programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Reading list

We've selected eight 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 Designing a Course With edX.

How Learning Works

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Provides a concise overview of seven key principles of learning, based on research in cognitive science and education, with practical implications for teaching.

Make It Stick

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Explores the science behind effective learning and provides practical strategies for improving memory and comprehension.

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

Hardcover

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

Kindle Edition

Uncommon Sense Teaching

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Provides an overview of the cognitive science of learning, emphasizing techniques that have been shown to improve retention and understanding. This book valuable reference to supplement the course's coverage of learning principles.

Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in...

Paperback

The Online Teaching Survival Guide

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Provides practical tips and strategies for effective online teaching, including how to create a positive learning environment, manage student engagement, and use technology effectively.

The Online Teaching Survival Guide

Paperback

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The Online Teaching Survival Guide

Kindle Edition

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Teaching Crowds

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Provides a theoretical framework for online learning, including how to design and deliver effective online learning experiences.

Teaching Crowds: Learning and Social Media (Issues...

Kindle Edition

Flipped Learning for Elementary Instruction

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Provides a practical guide to online learning for educators, including how to create and deliver engaging online content and assessments, and how to manage online learning communities.

Flipped Learning for Elementary Instruction

Paperback

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Flipped Learning for Elementary Instruction

Kindle Edition

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