Fully-Online Module (MDP): Extensive Design and Development of Learning Content to Support Distance Students

Fully-Online Module (MDP): Extensive Design and Development of Learning Content to Support Distance Students

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

EMS lecturer, Dominica Arendse, in collaboration with the CIECT team designed and developed learning content for the fully-online environment, Management Skills Development (EMD 511) module. Students from various geographical parts of the country and abroad, engaged and completed this module.

The Lessons eTool, within iKamva was used to structure the weekly thematic topics (7 weeks). A checklist was developed in relation to weekly topics which, assisted the distance student to monitor and complete assessment activities and self-directed learning content accordingly. In turn, the lecturer was also able to monitor and track student progress on a weekly basis.

Dominica in collaboration with the CIECT team – carefully and systematically structured and developed online content for this module. The extensive design and development of online learning content (text and digital media components), included the following key areas:

• Instructional Strategy: Alignment of content, outcomes, assessment, and eTools.
• Development of broad and specific module outcomes (per week/topic).
• Development of content by subject-matter expert, in alignment with broader module outline and unit standards.
• Selection of eTools aligned to the pedagogical value and activities.
• Design structure according to manageable units of work.
• Develop learning content – for weekly lectures according to a theme.
• Develop assessment activities in relation to weekly lectures.
• Embed relevant digital content aligned to weekly lectures.
• Quality assurance by subject-matter expert with regards to broader programme outline, relevant content, and plagiarism.
• Quality assurance of completed online module in collaboration with Instructional Designers, to prepare for external quality assurance.

It should be noted that the subject-matter expert (Dominica Arendse) took ownership of the online content/learning material.