Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Good Design in Online Instruction

One of the things that I have learned as a practioner of instructional design (ID) and in assisting other ID professionals and online instructors is that one may be a subject matter expert, but lack the requisite skills in technology/multimedia, visual design and usability. Visual design skills encompass not only the layout of a particular learning experience (e.g. line, shape, direction, size, texture, color value, balance, gradation, repetition, contrast, harmony, dominance, and unity), but the navigational aspects (usability) as well. It can be overwhelming for instructors who teach online to learn visual design and the multiple software programs needed to produce excellent learning experiences.

My aim is to provide ongoing discourse on best-case design and downloadable templates/designs/content for my readers. In addition I will be adding an area that allows peers to share good design components and ideas to make all ourrespective ID lives easier.

Join me in this journey in assisting instructional professionals with the creation of better designed learning experiences. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and learning from my peers.

-Debra