Presentation given to eLearning/Instructional Design students on MSc in Applied eLearning and Postgraduate Diploma on Third Level Learning and Teaching.

1. Designing eLearning
Materials
Dr. Pauline Rooney
© Pauline Rooney (2006)

2. What do we mean by
design?

Look & feel

Structure

Strategy

Pedagogy

Appropriateness

3. What factors are
involved?
support
required
need
context
EFFORT
purpose
end-user
resources
maintenance

4. Instructional design
process




Analysis
Design & development
Implementation
Maintenance & evaluation

5. (1) Analysis: questions
to ask……





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What - is the function and purpose of your e-learning?
Who - are the users and what do they know already?
Why - online?
How - will it be developed and maintained?
Where - were will it be used/viewed ?
When - is it required ?

6. (1) Analysis: what……
is the function and purpose of your e-learning?




Run fully online distance course?
Supplement f2f course? (Blended learning)
Administrative - reduce photocopying,
facilitate communication, disseminate
results
Educational – disseminate content,
assessment, revisionary aids, resources,
communications

7. (1) Analysis: who……
are the users and what do they know already?







Age
Full-time/part-time
Occupation
Socio-economic group
Preferred learning style
Any disabilities?
Level of computer literacy

8. (1) Analysis: why……
online?

Is e-learning the most effective way
of achieving your learning outcomes?

9. (1) Analysis: how……
will it be developed and maintained?



Time available
Technical resources
Be realistic!

10. (1) Analysis: where……
were will it be used/viewed ?

Within the college
– facilities available? Software issues?

Student homes
– Dial-up or broadband? Cost factor.

Student workplaces
– Firewall/security issues.

11. (1) Analysis: when……
is it required ?


Next week, next month, next
semester?
What do you have time to do
considering your resources?

12. (2) Design &
development
– Ensure that content is easy to navigate


–
–
–
use consistent navigation
chunk information
Be concise
Ensure “ scannability” on screen
Avoid too much scrolling (esp. horizontal)

13. Top mistakes of web
design (1)

Going overboard with high tech

Under construction signs

Misusing graphics

Non-standard fonts

Complex backgrounds

Too many animations

Orphan pages

14. Top mistakes of web
design (2)

No organisation

No unique content

Too many ideas

No authoritativeness

Outdated links or information

Negative declarations

Link problems

15. What can you do now?





Find out what resources are available
Learn from others
Participate in an online course/ web
conferencing session
Learn how to use the software
Test and get feedback and advice

16. Remember


Think it through!
E-learning is not always the right answer