Instructional Design for Higher Education
Explore and understand each stage of the course development process to excel in your role as an instructional designer.
Duration
Approx 12 weeks3 hrs per week
Develop your skills as an instructional designer
This ExpertTrack will help you understand and go beyond your role as an instructional designer to help you successfully develop a course from start to finish.
You’ll be guided through course pedagogy, planning, development, media, and facilitation to understand how to create effective and engaging learning experiences.
With advice and top strategies from experienced instructional designers and experts in the field, this ExpertTrack from the University of California, Irvine will help you develop the skills and knowledge to thrive as an instructional designer.
Master the course planning stage
Before you start to develop your course, you need to ensure you have the right course environment and the tools to aid course design.
The first course of this ExpertTrack will help you do just that, as you learn the fundamentals of course planning and pedagogy, including learning theories and project management basics.
Learn how to guide subject matter experts and use a learning management system
Course development is at the heart of instructional design, and being able to work with subject matter experts (SMEs) during this process is essential to the success of your course.
You’ll learn tips on how to work with SMEs and guide them in developing course content. With this, you’ll also identify and apply essential tools in the course development process, including choosing a learning management system.
Understand how to use educational media effectively
As you explore the theories behind how students learn, you’ll discover how educational media and visual elements can enhance learning.
You’ll also understand how to provide better learning experiences as you investigate new media models.
Learn how to promote facilitation skills
Often an instructional designer will leave the course at the development stage, without thinking about how the instructor facilitates the course.
You’ll learn the crucial step of guiding instructors to touchpoints on the course to help promote engagement. As part of this process, you’ll also learn how to create materials that will best prepare instructors for facilitation.
By the end of this ExpertTrack, you’ll feel confident moving through each stage of course development. You’ll finish with the expertise and skills you can immediately start applying to your role as an instructional designer.
Key skills you will learn
- Project Management
- Learning Design
- Facilitation
- Instructional Design
Learning outcomes
By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...
- Apply the foundational principles of learning theory to your own pedagogical approach.
- Adapt the course development process to workplace settings.
- Evaluate the need and application of educational media.
- Identify personal touch points for course facilitation and determine how you will train instructors.
- Assess problems that arise in the instructional design process and create solutions.
Experience required
This ExpertTrack is designed for new or experienced instructional designers looking to further their understanding and expertise in the role. Some related experience in instructional design is required.
Getting started
Educators who are looking to transition into instructional design may also find this ExpertTrack useful.
ExpertTrack course overview
Course 1
Instructional Design: Course Planning and Pedagogy
Unpack learning theories and methods of teaching to ensure you deliver effective results in the course planning stage.
1 test
1 peer-graded assignment
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Course 2
Instructional Design: Course Development
Gain essential skills to help you navigate the course development stage effectively as an instructional designer.
1 test
1 peer-graded assignment
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Course 3
Instructional Design: Educational Media
Learn techniques to develop educational media that will enhance your learning materials and help students retain knowledge.
1 test
1 peer-graded assignment
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Course 4
Instructional Design: Facilitation Skills
Help prepare instructors for course facilitation as you learn the skills to train and guide them to success.
1 test
1 peer-graded assignment
3 weeks
3 hours per week
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
Download a PDF
How ExpertTracks work
Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.
Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.
Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.
Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.
Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.
World-class learning with 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
1965Location
Irvine, USAWorld ranking
Top 100Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
Meet your instructor
Learning Innovator, Educator, and Entrepreneur
https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillefunk/
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
What are our learners saying?
Add a new skill or forge a new path
"I recommend Futurelearn to anyone looking to learn and upskill...If you are in the job market, you might want to add a new skill or forge a new path."
They bring the classroom right to you
"FutureLearn courses are always interesting and informative. They bring the classroom right to you and send you on a journey to explore new ideas and offer interesting topics."
Start learning today - free 7-day trial
After your free trial you can:
- Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
- Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
- Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
- Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
- Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
- Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends
FAQ
ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.
Each ExpertTrack comes with a 7-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.
Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 7-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.
You have seven days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 7-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.
Please see our full refund policy here.
No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.
No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.
If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.
Have more questions about ExpertTracks? Read the ExpertTracks FAQs, or contact us.