Aims and Fit of Module

This module takes a design-led perspective on the creation of online or digitally-mediated courses in a range of settings – including formal, informal, workplace and other learning contexts. Also addressed are alternative models of curriculum and accreditation (e.g. micro-credentials, digital badges). Students will explore how to approach course design in a well-theorised and critical way. There will be opportunities to understand and analyse a range of design approaches and contemporary design challenges, discuss and question what makes a course, and what makes it “digital”, explore their own design needs and aspirations, and those of their learners, colleagues or other participants. This module focuses on the curriculum level and tends to enable students to design programmes with a mindset of incorporating digital means and strategies.

Learning outcomes

A Understand and apply a range of approaches to the design of online and offline courses; 
B Critically evaluate these approaches via an understanding of their philosophical and theoretical bases; 
C Select, design, and share media, learning activities and assessment tasks appropriate to each approach 
D Design and build course components appropriate to their own institutional and educational context. 

Method of teaching and learning

The teaching sessions are interactive and divided into three components: lectures and tutorials, and practicals. The lectures will introduce the key concepts, the tutorials and practicals will build on the materials and skills/technologies covered in the lectures. One or more methods will be used in teaching and learning such as online and onsite blended learning, e-learning, flipped classroom, project-based learning with technology and group work. Both formative assessment and summative assessment will be applied, such as oral and written feedback and peer feedback and evaluation.