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Web Design Principles for Online Educators
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Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce educators to web design principles that can be used to create effective online courses. In the first module, students examine the process of planning a web site and create a "design document" that serves as a blueprint for designing future course sites. In the second module, students create a checklist of design guidelines that can be used to create
their own course sites. Finally, in the third module, students observe good practices of web design by evaluating other educational web sites that have been created by faculty at ION-participating institutions. The faculty are on hand to answer student questions about the design of their sites. Note: It is not required to create web pages for this course.
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Audience
The Web Design Principles for Online Educators course is primarily for faculty and staff who are planning to create an online course, hybrid course, or Web site; or who would like to improve an existing online course or Web site. Whether you are an experienced Web page creator or have never created a Web page in your life, you can benefit from this course because it focuses on the process and principles of Web design with education in mind. (Please note that this is NOT an HTML course, and you will not be required to create Web pages.)
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Topics
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Outline
Module 1 - Understanding the Basics of HTML
Module 2 – Web Design Basics – Planning a Web Site
Module 3 – Placing and Defining Content
Module 4 – Usability and Accessibility
Module 5 – Putting It All Together
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Goals
The goals of this course are to introduce educators to Web design principles that can be applied to their own course Web pages, to provide guidance on the process of planning the design of Web sites, and to observe good practices of Web design by evaluating other educational Web sites. The course also provides a model for educators who are or will be teaching online, and allows the educator to experience online education from the student's perspective.
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After completing this course, learners will be able to:
- create a design plan for an educational web site defining the goals and objectives of the web site, the audience, and content elements (synthesize)
- determine essential elements of an educational web site (organize)
- describe at least 20 web design guidelines (comprehends meaning)
- understand usability and disability issues in educational Web design (apply)
- give examples that demonstrate specific web design guidelines. (apply)
- critique the design of educational web sites based on good web design principles and practices. (evaluate)
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The course is eight weeks in length and requires an online
orientation.
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You may take this course without any course prerequisites.
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- Complete the online course orientation prior to the start of the course.
- Read the instructor's lesson introductions and assigned articles
from the Web.
- Answer weekly discussion questions related to the Web articles.
- Engage in positive and meaningful dialog with classmates concerning
the course subject matter. Discussions will be conducted using the Moodle
Discussions tool.
- Write a summary of the key items covered each week and how they apply
to your online course.
- Create a Web Design Document.
- Create a Web Design Evaluation tool.
- Critique two Web sites.
- Conduct Usability and Accessibility measures.
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The course has a modular structure consisting of somewhat separate units. Each unit is individually assessed, but successive units build on previous information. The course pedagogy is based on collaborative learning and group participation. Content is delivered using active asynchronous and synchronous chat participation, direct email, postings of materials, Web resources, and instructor notes. Content in the form of student participation in the discussion forums and comments on the ideas and work of others will also be present. Links to outside sources are also required through which students will acquire more in depth information on some topics.
There is a schedule with specific deadlines for assignments and projects. Except for a few synchronous online meetings, you decide when to "attend" class. Lectures, assignments, questions, and discussion all occur online, at your convenience. The asynchronous online format provides flexibility as to when and where participants study and interact with the materials, their classmates, and instructor.
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This is an intensive course requiring about 8-10 hours a week. The time commitment will vary depending the individual's input, needs, and personal study habits. Students are required to log on to the course a minimum of 3 times a week.
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Continuing Education Credit (CEU Credit)
8 Continuing education units (CEU credit) are available for this course.
Graduate or Undergraduate Academic Credit
This course can also be taken for academic graduate credit through the University of Illinois at Springfield. To earn academic credit, you must first enroll as a non-degree or as a degree student through UIS. Visit the How to Enroll page for more information.
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Taking a course for CEUs:
Registration for this course is open to the general public, but there is a
tuition charge for participants who are not employees of
the University of Illinois. The tuition is determined by the number of contact hours and online discussion requirements for the course.
To view the tuition schedule for a specific section of this course, visit the Schedule and
click on the link for that section (e.g. SA0551).
Taking a course for Graduate Credit through the University of Illinois
at Springfield (UIS):
All of our courses except the Advanced Online Seminars may be taken for graduate
courses through UIS. You do not pay twice if you choose this
route. You pay only the fees associated with UIS enrollment. If you choose
to enroll through UIS, you need to follow the instructions.
You do not register through this site.
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