Learning Experience Design with High Impact!

Denise Kreiger Consulting, LLC, works collaboratively with higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and corporations throughout the course design and development process.

This includes mentoring and guiding faculty, teachers, and/or staff to incorporate instructional strategies and technology that are based on sound pedagogical practices grounded in learning theory in classroom-based, hybrid/blended, and online deliveries.

Collaboration with Faculty, Teachers, and Staff to Design Courses and Learning Experiences that . . .

  • Are fully “aligned” with course learning objectives, program goals, and/or core curriculum standards.
  • Promote student-centered learning.
  • Develop higher-order thinking/skills.
  • Provide engaging, socially-connected learning opportunities.
  • Incorporate technologies to enhance learning.
  • Deconstruct projects and provide “scaffolding” in assignments to help students succeed and meet the learning goals.
  • Provide grading rubrics to evaluate students’ work and communicate expectations & desired outcomes.
  • Include ‘authentic’ assessments – formative and summative – beyond more traditional assessments (i.e., tests, papers).
  • Assure high-quality learning experiences based on industry standards (e.g., Quality Matters).
  • Promote independent learning.
  • Promote accessibility & universal design.
  • Put “pedagogy” first!

Learning Design Process

The process may vary depending on whether the goal is to design/develop a full-semester course, multiple courses in a curriculum, a professional development course for a certificate, or one specific project or micro learning experience. Below is an example of a more formal, instructional design approach to assure the integrity of the process.

  1. Learning Needs Assessment
    Audience analyses (instructors & learners)
    Goals of course, curriculum, program
    Existing course redesign vs. new course design vs. course transition (e.g., from face-to-face class to hybrid or fully online)
    Design/development team (e.g., faculty/teacher – SME; instructional designer/technologist)
    Timeline for project and time commitment by team

  2. Course Design/Course Mapping
    Course learning objectives
    Course assessments
    Course outline of units, topics, and activities and assignments
    Ensure “course alignment” throughout the course
    Course Alignment Supports Quality Course Design
    Product: Course Syllabus with Schedule; “blueprint” for course development.

  3. Course Development
    Develop course in a learning management system or platform
    Develop course structure
    Develop prototypes, models, templates, and/or samples
    Develop week-by-week units of study:
    – Readings
    – Media and/or technology
    – Lecture
    – Activities
    – Assignments

  4. Course Implementation
    Facilitate the learning process while teaching the course
    Build a learning “community”
    Communicate with students
    Provide ongoing feedback and grading of assignments
    Note any issues or problems

  5. Course Evaluation
    Post-course faculty/instructor course debriefing with ID
    Evaluate successes, challenges, & issues to resolve
    Review student/user statistics and performance
    Review student surveys for feedback
    Fine-tune and/or revise course, as needed.

Instructional Strategies with Technology Integration

Students Collaborating

Incorporating instructional strategies that promote higher-order thinking/skills and active learning with technology integration, such as:

  • Asynchronous Online Discussions
  • Flipped Classroom (hybrid & face-to-face learning)
  • Digital Storytelling (e.g., Piktochart for infographics; Storybird, Voicethread)
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Inquiry/Problem-Based Learning
  • Experiential/Applied Learning (e.g., in the “field”)
  • Collaborative Learning (e.g., “curating” content; presentations; Google Apps, Google Sites)
  • Case Study
  • Social Media (Twitter, Diigo social bookmarking, Wikis, Facebook, Pinterest, blogging, GroupMe, Slack)
  • Video (e.g., YouTube, TED Talks, Khan Academy; recorded instructor lectures)
  • Game-Based Learning
  • Debate
  • Peer Review
  • Critical Reflection

Learning Theory

Instructional strategies and approaches are grounded in learning theories, such as:

  • Bloom’s Taxonomy
  • Constructivism/Social Constructivism
  • Community of Inquiry
  • Lave/Wenger’s Communities of Practice
  • Vygotsky’s Scaffolding
  • Dewey/Kolb’s Experiential Learning
  • Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
  • Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning
  • Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory
  • Mezirow’s Transformative Learning
  • 21st Century Skills