AECT-Meeting the Challenges of Developing Quality Online Courses

Meeting the Challenges of Developing Quality Online Courses through the Application of Modular Design

Short Description:

Current literature is focused more on course delivery rather than on the actual course design. Therefore, the purpose of this presentation will be to summarize research-based standards relating to course design and to provide a demonstration of the design and development of online courses using modular design to facilitate student engagement in the course and to encourage communications between the students and with the instructor before the course content officially begins. Multiple online products, software and tools will be demonstrated for P-16 instructors to duplicate within their courses.
Abstract:

The Quality Matters (QM) standards are benchmarks that educators strive to follow as they develop online courses. The QM standards are based on current literature focused on course delivery rather than specifically on course design. One method of course design that educators can use that will work hand in hand with QM and the course delivery standards identified in those standards is the implementation of modular instruction. Modular instruction, as applied to the design of an online course, could be used to provide a well-organized, sequential and navigational web-supported course that represents the QM standards well.Modular instruction could be considered a commonsensical approach to the design of instruction. Modular instruction includes lessons that are made up of standardized units of instruction and/or instructional activities that can be separated from each other, rearranged, or reused as support for additional modules and/or other courses. Although modular instruction may appear to be a simple idea at first, however the effectiveness of the instruction depends greatly on the manner in which the instructional components are divided up and organized based on the instructional objectives and learning outcomes established for the modules and the course as well.Modular design as applied to an online course actually begins within a course site before the content of the course begins. In fact, the modular structure can be implemented during the “introduction” of the course to students. Therefore, to support the modular structure of a course, an Introductory Module is proposed for online or web-supported courses or trainings. With the Introductory module available and not directly related to any specific course content, students will be able to access and review all of the information and instructions (including videos, audio and text-based files and external links) needed to begin the course. If accepted, the presenters will share a summary of standards relating specifically to course design and how course design applies to course delivery issues. Next, the presenters will provide a summary of best strategies that could be used in planning and designing web-supported instruction specifically in the area of modular design and demonstrate two or more courses that currently implement modular design and the introductory module. Participants will be able to duplicate and apply the standards and example products easily after attending this session.Conference participants will benefit from the presentation because they will be able to review the Quality Matters (QM) standards applied but in a way that supports course design (and not just the delivery of the course content). Participants will also benefit in engaging in a conversation with the presenters on the benefits of implementing the module structure to include an Introductory Module and receiving information on what items and/or instructional products should be included in the Intro Module that will support student engagement in the course including the organization and structure of the classroom discussion board to support the modular structure. If accepted, the presenters will share a summary of standards relating specifically to course design and how course design applies to course delivery issues. Next, the presenters will provide a summary of best strategies that could be used in planning and designing web-supported instruction specifically in the area of modular design and demonstrate courses that currently implement modular design and the use of an Introductory Module in online courses. The participants will find the information and examples useful because of the ease of duplication of products and application of standards in their own courses.