FAQ

How is working with the Instructional Design (ID) team different from what I did for remote teaching during the pandemic?

Remote emergency teaching and an intentionally designed online course are very different. Working with the ID team you have:

• Time to think about your course design and how your online learning strategies align with outcomes and assessments
• Support of eLearning experts to give you guidance on creating a meaningful and learner-friendly online experience for your students
• Support of multimedia experts who will create complex graphics and interactive content for your course
• Support of videographers to create professional instructional videos for your course

Are your online or blended courses just as rigorous as the in-person courses?

Yes, our eLearning courses have the same learning outcomes and standards as their in-person counterparts. Students access equivalent content and will do similar assignments/assessments as their in-person peers.

Also, while measuring learning is complex, research over the past twenty years has pointed to no significant difference between students achieving learning outcomes in various modes of learning delivery.

To see the research on the No Significant Phenomenon, visit the No Significant Difference Database. 

Is release time available for these eLearning projects?

Depending on the project scope, and subject to Dean’s discretion, faculty involved in approved projects may qualify for reassigned time. Please be aware that due to resource constraints, course releases from the ADC are very limited. 

Who will I work with on my e-learning project?

You will work with the ID team. Your main contact will be an instructional designer (ID) assigned to you who serves as both an eLearning expert and project manager. Your ID will connect you with experts such as professional editor, eLearning developer, the Academic Media Group (AMG), educational technologists, library experts, and copyright advisor.

How long do projects usually take?

Our eLearning projects typically take one academic year to complete, however in some cases we offer shortened timelines. This will be determined when your application is accepted. Your ID will provide you with a timeline for your project and what is achievable.

How much work is required from me as the subject matter expert (SME)?

As the SME, your major task is writing all of the content. We can build the course, but without you, there will be nothing in it! We will use your content to populate all aspects of the course including multimedia. We need your expertise to guide our decisions on optimal course structure, engaging activities, and multimedia inclusions.

What will my schedule look like as I work on my eLearning project?

At the beginning of a new project, you will typically have weekly meetings with your assigned ID. These meetings may be working meetings where the ID will support you in brainstorming, exploring, and mapping your course and its components. Your ID may also invite other experts to these meetings, as needed. As you move from planning to the development step, these weekly meetings may be spaced further apart to allow time for you to write content.

Do I need to have all the details of my course decided, including assessments, activities, and multimedia content before starting?

No, we will help you every step of the way to reconceptualize your existing course or build a brand new course for online learning. Just bring your ideas! 

Do I need to know how to create my own interactive content, graphics, and videos?

No, we will do the technical heavy lifting designing and creating the multimedia components, you bring the subject matter knowledge! We’ll be there with you every step of the way and together we will create something amazing! 

Do you incorporate UDL principles into your eLearning projects?

Yes! Many principles for developing online learning overlap with UDL principles. We will help you design a course with multiple means of engagement, multiple means of expression and action, and multiple means of representation. 

What will be the result of my eLearning project?

You will have a high-quality fully online or blended course built for student engagement, with UDL and accessibility principles, and pedagogical best practices – ready to teach! Just add students! 

What support is available when I am actually teaching the online or blended course I have made with the ID Team?

We will help you grow your expertise in online teaching. During the course development, you will be considering and planning how to teach your course. We also offer custom workshops and/or individual training on best online teaching practices during development. The ID Team is available for consultation when you are delivering your course, in addition to the ADC Sandbox which offers just-in-time support. 

I didn’t get release time for my eLearning project. Can I still get help from the ADC?

Yes! We offer consultations to support you. You can meet with a member of the ID team to discuss your goals. Depending on your availability we can help you identify the most effective changes to help revitalize an existing course, rework components of your course for online, and/or add multimedia components.