E-Learning for Educators

Recruiting Online Course Designers

April 2007 Training

Selection of participants for the Online Course Design training to be held in April 2007 will depend to a great degree on the content courses your state needs. Therefore, an early decision you need to make is deciding what online courses should be developed to meet curriculum and/or professional development needs. You will also need to consider who will own the copyright to the courses being designed by your participants and to consider adding copyright ownership designations to contracts for course developers.

Several criteria are important to keep in mind as you select the team, including previous experience with online courses. The most successful course developers have participated in or taught online courses prior to enrolling in the Online Course Design training. Other qualities to look for among potential designers include:

• Interest in online learning and teaching
• Relevant skills and interest in designing online professional development
• Content and pedagogical knowledge relevant to the workshops to be developed
• Knowledge of and skill in instructional design
• The ability to write clearly and correctly
• Ability to use email and a web browser
• Willingness to commit to 10 weeks of training
• Willingness to commit to 4 to 8 hours a week during training
• Connection to or interest in delivering workshops to teachers in schools and districts targeted by your state plan, including the focus on high-need districts

Most participants find the designer training to be a rewarding experience and an excellent opportunity to build their leadership skills and to grow professionally. However, it’s important that potential designers be fully aware of the time and work commitments required of them before signing them up for training. Otherwise, participants may not be fully prepared for the work load.

Successful designers (or members of design teams) have come from a variety of job roles such as: teachers (including special educators), administrators, professional development specialists, library media specialists, multi-media specialists, technology coordinators, curriculum specialists and Title 1 or other program staff. In putting together your team, it might be important to consider a balance between various job roles. Depending on your state plan, it might also be important to consider a balance of facilitators representing various content areas or specialty subjects, urban and rural districts, and other considerations unique to your state.