Go beyond your role as an instructional designer

Often when a course is developed, many instructional designers move on to the next project, without considering how the instructor facilitates the course.

To ensure effective teaching, each instructor needs to be trained and guided to touchpoints in the course that require their attention and engagement. On this three-week course, you will create practical materials that prepare instructors for successful course facilitation.

Explore the best practices for promoting student engagement

As you delve into the techniques for promoting student engagement, you’ll use this knowledge to help guide the course instructor.

You’ll learn how to explain the elements of effective student engagement to ensure your course instructor uses them throughout.

Help instructors with course evaluation and grading

Examining the importance of course evaluations, you’ll learn how to explain this to instructors to ensure a high standard is maintained throughout the course.

You’ll also learn the techniques for analysing feedback. This useful exercise will provide you with insightful instructor critique which can lead to more effective facilitation.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and materials to successfully train your instructors to deliver your course to a high standard. With these skills, you’ll be able to pass your project on with confidence every time.

Syllabus

Week 1
Instructor Touch Points
- Course introduction
  In this activity, you'll be introduced to the FutureLearn platform, and the content that will be covered during this course. You will also get an overview of the topics covered during the first week of this course.
- Announcements vs. Emails
  In this activity, we take a look at announcements and emails as the first touch points for instructor engagement with students in an online course.
- Discussions and grading
  In this activity, we take a look at two more touch points for instructor engagement with students in an online course, namely discussions and grading.
- Week wrap up
  In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.
Week 2
Engagement
- Welcome to the week
  Moving into the second week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.
- Student engagement
  In this activity, we take a look at the concept of student engagement in online learning, and what is required with course design to draw students to participate and engage in their learning.
- Instructor presence and authentic feedback
  During the first week, you explored instructor touch points as ways of engaging with students in online courses. In this activity, we will take a look at instructor feedback as a form of engagement.
- Week wrap up
  In this activity, you'll have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week. You will also be provided with a summary of the week's learning, and some insight on what to expect in the new week.
Week 3
Instructor and Course Evaluation
- Welcome to the week
  Moving into the third and final week of this course, this activity will give you an overview of the topics that will be covered during this week.
- Evaluations
  Getting the information you need out of these evaluations is crucial for course improvement. In this activity, we look at addressing the question of what questions should be included in a course evaluation?
- Instructor governance
  In this activity, we explore the important considerations around performance expectations and instructor tracking in an online course.
- Accountability
  In this activity, we take a look at the importance of having policies, contracts, and administrative practices in place that communicates your institution's philosophy of accountability.
- Course wrap up
  In this activity, you will have the opportunity to test your knowledge of the topics covered during the week, by completing a graded test and completing your peer-graded assignment.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Identify personal touch points that instructors have within the facilitation of a course
Explain the elements of effective student engagement
Analyze feedback for insightful instructor critique

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in developing their skills in instructional design.

You may be a new or experienced instructional designer, or you could be an educator looking to transition into a new role.

Who will you learn with?

Camille Funk

Learning Innovator, Educator, and Entrepreneur
https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillefunk/

Who developed the course?

University of California, Irvine

Established in 1962, the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (UCI DCE) has served the lifelong learning needs of individuals, organizations, and the community on a local, regional, and global scale.

Established
1965
Location
Irvine, USA
World ranking
Top 100Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn