As a member of a dynamic team of learning designers at the University of Queensland, I played an integral role in the development of ‘Aligned by Design,’ an innovative online faculty training module build in Articulate Rise. With this project, we aimed to promote the adoption of evidence-based practices, notably constructive alignment, to enhance teaching methodologies.
Project Overview
After conducting a comprehensive needs analysis, the learning design team in the Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences at UQ identified the requirement for additional training to support new faculty and first-time instructors. We developed “Aligned by Design” to address this need, focusing on fundamental teaching and learning theories. In 2023, I was responsible for developing two critical components of the module: assessment design and marking criteria.
Scope and Deliverables
The project’s scope encompassed an initial analysis of training needs, which was based on data derived from student evaluations and feedback from individual Heads of School at UQ. Our findings led us to create a module designed to be completed in under an hour, featuring five essential topics for new course coordinators. Our learning design process involved collaborative team workshops, content creation, copywriting, and graphic design, culminating in the final construction using Articulate Rise. The deliverable was a module exported to SCORM and integrated into the university’s staff learning management system. Additionally, I developed in-person training sessions for two module topics, to be offered following the online program’s completion.
Collaboration and Stakeholders
This project was a collaborative endeavor, working closely with a highly skilled team of learning designers. Together, we focused on creating content related to constructive alignment, which has become a cornerstone of my daily work. Each team member was responsible for specific topics, and we facilitated several rounds of feedback workshops. We also sought external feedback upon completion, resulting in a high-quality learning module that can be employed for years to come and readily updated when necessary.
Technology and Tools
The primary tools utilized in this project included Microsoft OneDrive, Adobe Illustrator, H5P, and Articulate Rise. Given that the training was designed for independent completion by course coordinators, interactive elements were incorporated to enhance engagement and provide formative feedback.
Results and Impact
The module was introduced into the university’s staff learning management system in early 2023, garnering positive feedback from faculty leaders and individual course coordinators. Furthermore, the in-person training workshops enjoyed robust attendance, fostering collaborative opportunities for staff to enhance their course design skills and teaching confidence.
