Course Description

Learners who are engaging in online coursework have high expectations for their learning experience. And many institutions try to develop online coursework as a way to reduce cost and control the content of the training, but without regard for the complexities of the technology. This course introduces the major models, tools, and techniques for creating and delivering online learning. It reviews the fundamentals of general learning theory and how it can be applied in practice to online design and instruction.

This course was developed by MindEdge’s National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL), which was founded in 2012 with the goal to improve the quality and effectiveness of online learning, especially for adult learners, by promoting best practices and innovation in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe key trends in online learning
• Differentiate between the constructivist and transmission models of learning
• Devise techniques for active learning
• Identify the steps common to course development processes and their roles in creating effective learning
• Explain how learning objectives may be used to ensure that a course is meeting the need it was designed for
• Identify the condition, performance, and qualification components of measurable learning objectives
• Describe Bloom’s Taxonomy and explain its application in instructional design
• Describe the use of blended learning
• Explain the benefits of narrative, adaptive, peer, and social learning
• Discuss the instructional design needs specific to adult learners
• Describe how to employ Whole-Part-Whole learning techniques
• Recognize how worked examples advance learning
• Describe instructional scaffolding and explain its use
• Explain the 5E Learning Model
• Explore the need for variety in online learning
• Identify ways to incorporate video in online learning
• Describe how to measure for success in online learning

Course Description

Storytelling and the use of narrative case studies can be a highly effective way to teach. Often, we learn best by doing, and in the context of online learning, “doing” often means utilizing case study and role-playing methods. This course introduces the major techniques and strategies for integrating narrative learning into an educational curriculum. It presents different types of narrative learning and identifies the best means to utilize each. Finally, it explores the efficacy of narrative learning and how it can be applied to online design and instruction.

This course was developed by MindEdge’s National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL), which was founded in 2012 with the goal to improve the quality and effectiveness of online learning, especially for adult learners, by promoting best practices and innovation in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Define narrative learning and summarize its core principles
• Identify various types of narrative activities and compare their applications
• Outline the stages of the narrative arc, specifying the purpose of each stage in terms of a story and a narrative activity
• Discuss best practices for narrative learning
• Design a scenario, case study, and simulation
• Interpret the literature surrounding the efficacy of narrative learning
• Critique poorly constructed narrative activities

Course Description

In developing any online learning material, federal regulations require adherence to specific accessibility standards. Students with disabilities must be given equal access to learn the content. This can be a major road block to an organization trying to develop online coursework. This course covers the basics of online learning accessibility standards and reviews best practices for accessibility.

This course was developed by MindEdge’s National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL), which was founded in 2012 with the goal to improve the quality and effectiveness of online learning, especially for adult learners, by promoting best practices and innovation in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Define online learning accessibility and summarize its core components
• Discuss the online learning accessibility level of your organization’s learning content
• Define key terms in accessibility
• Explain WCAG and ISO accessibility standards
• Discuss federal accessibility requirements
• Outline key methods to make online learning accessible
• Discuss best practices for online learning accessibility

Course Description

Even the most experienced teachers often need help transitioning into the world of teaching online. When you don’t meet your students face-to-face teachers must adjust their tactics and strategies to help them identify struggling students and to ensure students are engaging and learning the material. This course offers a brief survey of the major models, tools, and techniques in teaching online.

This course was developed by MindEdge’s National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL), which was founded in 2012 with the goal to improve the quality and effectiveness of online learning, especially for adult learners, by promoting best practices and innovation in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss some of the benefits of online learning for students and instructors
• Describe differences between online and face-to-face classroom teaching
• Explain the role of an online instructor
• Assess your own practices as an online instructor
• Discuss effective ways to lead online discussion
• Describe the Flipped Classroom and blended learning models
• Outline ways to introduce collaborative learning (discussion forums, videoconferencing, Question of the Day, group projects, etc.) into an online program
• Discuss key challenges in online learning and how to handle them
• Describe methods for evaluating and assessing online instruction
• Apply your understanding to case studies

The technology of online learning is constantly evolving. Not only is the technology of content presentation becoming more complex, but the delivery, integration, grade syncing, and expanding learning management system markets all add the puzzle. As a developer of online courses, this course seeks to give you the vocabulary and tools you need to ask the right questions and understand the fundamental concepts of technology in online learning. It reviews the key software and hardware options available, and it covers best practices in using technology.

This course was developed by MindEdge’s National Institute of Online Learning (NIOL), which was founded in 2012 with the goal to improve the quality and effectiveness of online learning, especially for adult learners, by promoting best practices and innovation in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the significance of technology in enabling online learning
• Define basic information technology (IT) terms and concepts as they apply to creating, delivering, and hosting online learning
• Explain how a learning management system (LMS) functions and how it enables online learning
• Describe key software tools (HTML, JavaScript, jQuery) employed in online learning
• Outline the key issues (bandwidth, browser and plug-in compatibility, etc.) involved in delivering online learning over the Internet
• Discuss the use of video in online learning
• Explore the key technology issues in developing and delivering online learning to mobile devices (m-learning)
• Explain the methods used for integrating online learning into learning platforms, including SCORM, LTI, and Tin Can API
• Describe the common IT challenges involved in online learning
• Outline key questions about technology and online learning that organizations should ask