Instructional Design Best Practices

Learn to effectively design courses using innovative technology to teach or train online.
In this Section

In our EDUC 763 Instructional Design for Elearning online course, you learn how to create online courses that work efficiently.

We discuss using design thinking, graphic design, assessment rubrics, and universal design (UDL) to create engaging and efficient online courses. 

This 100% online course also addresses blended learning and flipped classroom environments. Get hands-on experience with synchronous and asynchronous methods. Learn how to use accessible video and audio to engage learners.

We invite you to enroll in our Instructional Design for Elearning course to meet your professional development goals if you need graduate credits, transfer credits, a refresher course, or license renewal.

Our online course allows you to complete your weekly assignments as they best fit your schedule. All discussion postings and projects are submitted online.

If you need a copy of the syllabus for your employer to approve enrollment in the class, email: Online Professional Development.
 

"As a high school English teacher whose instruction is moving more and more online, I found this course extremely relevant and helpful! I appreciated that all of the assignments directly applied to my current context, and I could work on creating content and materials I could use with my students after receiving feedback from the instructor and my peers."
~ Rebecca Banc

"I think the best part of this class for me was forcing me to start thinking about how special education will look in a virtual setting as we get ready to start the year online. So much of what I do is driven by student need that I have grown accustomed to not having hard and fast plans for each day. This year will look much different, so it has been good for me to start wrapping my head around that sooner than later."
~ Meghan Adams

Our Instructional Design for Elearning course includes how to 

  • Write measurable instructional objectives.
  • Apply rubrics for assessment.
  • Generate assessment ideas for online, blended, and flipped classrooms.
  • Select tools and strategies that support engagement.
  • Apply principles of brain processing to lesson planning.
  • Evaluate best practices in instructional design.
  • Incorporate universal design (UDL) and accessibility principles.
  • Use graphic design to enhance a syllabus.
  • Design with Horton’s three types of activities: absorb, do, connect.
  • Design conceptually powerful curriculum materials.

This course is an approved elective in the Master of Science in Education online degree program.

Our students include:

  • Adjunct professors
  • Adjunct faculty
  • College and university professors
  • Technical and community college instructors
  • Teachers (k-12, flipped classroom and virtual school)
  • Healthcare, nurse educator, healthcare training, health education program
  • Trainers (Staff training, corporate training, training and development, train the trainers)
  • Curriculum designers, professional development coordinators, and distance education and continuing education leaders

Course Description

Evaluation, discussion, and application of instructional design theories and principles for online learning. Examination of hybrid, self-paced, and facilitated online learning experiences delivered via course management systems. Scenario-based simulations and case study analysis. Creating interactive multimedia learning objects. Application of accessibility and usability guidelines in web-based course design.

How do I register?

Complete the Online Registration Form.

UW-Stout reserves the right to cancel classes that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements.

If you need a copy of the syllabus for your employer to approve enrollment in the class, email: Online Professional Development.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

When is the registration deadline?

Reserve your spot now. This program is very popular, and courses fill well before the start date. This course is offered three times each year (spring, summer, and fall).

  • Tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students.
  • There is no registration fee and no program application.
E-textbook

Chapters from various books on the themes of the course will be provided to the student as pdfs. The university has secured licenses for these chapters. They will be offered within the content modules in Canvas (password protected).

Our Students Say. . .

"Instructional Design for Online Learning is a great model for anyone who is considering online or hybrid instruction. It is very well structured and facilitated, the content is engaging, and it encourages communication among students – all, I believe, key criteria for a quality online course."
Margie Konik, Health Information Technology, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Stanley, Wisconsin
 
"One of the aspects that I discovered as valuable, was the knowledge that the instructor was in my corner. She desired for me to be successful, and she incorporated the resources I needed to make this happen. … Through taking this course, I have become increasingly aware of the human component. I see more clearly the value of increased appropriate instructor presence on the discussion board."
~ Traci Skog, Graduate Student
Baldwin, Wisconsin

"I only wish that I had enrolled in a course like this at the beginning of my venture into online teaching. This course showed me some really helpful tools and strategies that we can use to improve how we work and evaluate our courses... Anyone who is teaching online or thinking about teaching online should take this course."
~ Ginnie Fleming, Online Instructor Grades 4-6
West Chester, Pennsylvania

"The instructor is highly knowledgeable and provided quick, personalized feedback. I came away from this class with highly applicable skills which will greatly enhance my work as an instructional designer and online instructor."
~ Karen Franker, Instructional Designer and Online Instructor
Madison, Wisconsin

No travel to campus - 100% Online
  • Participate 24/7 from your home or work computer during hours that are best for your work and family schedule.
  • The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component.
  • All discussion postings, projects, and assignments will be submitted via the course discussion board and Dropbox.
  • Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific due dates each week.
  • There are no required "live" chat sessions.
  • This is not a self-paced class.