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UMGC, USMx: Instructional Design: Digital Media, New Tools and Technology

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Explore the design, development and use of digital media and emerging technologies to support online teaching and learning.

Instructional Design: Digital Media, New Tools and Technology
8 weeks
8–10 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
Free
Optional upgrade available

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About this course

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Instructional designers today have a tremendous number of tools and resources available to them to create highly engaging courses. Social media, digital video, and freely available online instructional resources and applications connect and engage people in new, and exciting ways. When creating online learning experiences, instructional designers integrate and infuse these digital tools and digital content in ways that engage and connect learners to course content.

In the third course in the Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters Program, you will explore the design, development, and integration of digital media to enhance the learning experience.

Choosing instructional materials for a course may seem like a simple step, but in fact, there are many important aspects of online learning experience development that are important to consider, such as content creation, copyright and creative commons, accessibility testing, and visual and web design techniques.

Course topics include media and visual design, video, screencasting, animation, storyboarding, authoring tools for interactive learning, as well as audio in instructional design.

This course is part of the Instructional Design and Technology MicroMaster’s program from UMGC. Upon completion of the program and receipt of the verified MicroMaster’s certificate, learners may then transition into the full UMGC Master’s Program in Learning Design and Technology. See the MicroMasters program page for more information.

At a glance

  • Institutions:

    UMGC

    USMx
  • Subject: Education & Teacher Training
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    The program content and course projects are sequential, allowing the learner to build on subsequent work. Completing LDT100x and LDT200x is highly recommended before completing LDT300x coursework. Basic experience in word processing and G Suite and a background in teaching, education, or professional development are helpful but not required.

  • Associated programs:
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Web Accessibility Testing, Online Teaching, Integration, Visual Design, Literacy, Social Media, Storyboarding, Instructional Design, Design And Technology, Digital Content, Content Creation, Emerging Technologies, Learning Design, Web Design, Interactive Learning, Animations, Digital Video

What you'll learn

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  • Integrate visual design principles into digital text-based media
  • Apply image editing and publishing practices
  • Produce effective video and screencasting materials
  • Design an interactive learning module using an authoring tool
  • Implement accessibility strategies to develop inclusive, technology-enhanced learning experiences
  • Create a variety of digital learning objects, including images, videos, screencasts, audio, and interactives, to enhance an online minicourse
  • Build an Instructional Design portfolio to showcase knowledge of digital media

Week 1: Digital Media Introduction
Week 2: Digital Text & Visual Design
Week 3: Digital Images
Week 4: Video Tools & Accessibility Requirements
Week 5: Screencast & Animation Videos
Week 6: Storyboards
Week 7: Author Tools for Interactive Learning
​Week 8: Audio for e-Learning & Signature Assignment Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does a student have to apply to and complete the full UMGC degree?

To ensure that your program remains relevant and up-to-date, UMGC sets time limits for completing a program. Students have five (5) consecutive years from the start of the graduate degree to complete their degree. For students who start with a MicroMasters, their “time clock” begins on the date that they complete their last course in the MicroMasters program and receive their Verified Certificate. This means that students should apply to UMGC promptly to begin the degree and have as much time as possible to complete it.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
4 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
8 months
8 - 10 hours per week

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