In this discovery session, we will share our team’s onboarding program for new instructional designers, a simulation-based approach to instructional design and faculty collaboration. Our program emphasizes the role of an instructional designer during the design process, while working with faculty to create quality learning experiences for our online students.
Our team’s onboarding program for new instructional designers is a simulation-based approach to instructional design and faculty collaboration. Our program emphasizes the role of an instructional designer during the design process, while working with faculty to create quality learning experiences for our online students.
Over a period of three weeks, instructional designers undergo a simulation-based training program. Each training day, they meet with one of the members of the training team, who introduces them to that module’s topics. Then, they are presented with tutorials and other self-paced training materials, followed by typical communications from a faculty member and other stakeholders. Trainees are then responsible for executing any necessary course development tasks and providing detailed communication to the faculty member. At the conclusion of each session, the trainers meet with their trainees to discuss that session’s assignment and to provide feedback. By the end of the training period, IDs will have developed a semester-long course.
After the training modules have been completed, new instructional designers are assigned a mentor, to help them further develop the specific skills being taught in the program. This 90-day mentorship program helps the new instructional designer to get better acclimated into their new role, including the demands that their new position entails.
The topics covered in each training module are outlined below:
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Module 0: Introduction to Instructional Design Teams at FIU Online, is a one-day module that covers an introduction to instructional design, the FIU Online team, the instructional designer role, as well as tips and tricks to help you get started.
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Module 1: Meeting with Faculty, is a one-day module that covers the elements and the importance of the meetings you have with your faculty.
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Module 2: Situating Students, is a one-day module that covers the development of a syllabus from start to finish. This includes pedagogical concepts such as learning objectives, and the practical application of FIU Online’s CreatorPro software to format and publish the syllabus for student use.
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Module 3: Presenting Content to Students, is a two-day module about presenting content to student in a learner-centered fashion using Blackboard Learn, as well as some of the other media platforms we use at FIU Online. You’ll also be exposed to working with the FIU Online Multimedia Team.
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Module 4: Assignments, Interaction and Collaboration, is a two-day module that covers a basic overview of assignments, communication and collaboration within/outside of Canvas and guidance on how to best leverage these tools for various teaching and learning scenarios.
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Module 5: Quizzes, Exams, Surveys, and Proctoring, is a two-day module that focuses on the resources available to assess students and provide feedback. Specifically, this modules covers assessment types in Canvas and proctoring options.
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Module 6: Ensuring Accessibility and Extending the Learning Environment, is a one-day module that covers accessibility and LMS building blocks and tools.
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Module 7: Moving Forward, is a one-day module that reviews the previous modules as well as focuses on the next steps instructional designers and instructional design assistants are working towards.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the importance of participating in ongoing professional development.
- Develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviors within newly hired or transferred employees to enable them to become effective contributors to your team.
- Establish a foundation for a well-rounded onboarding program at your institution.