Stylus Publishing (VA) The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer: Purposes, Processes, and Practicalities of Creating Online Courses in Higher Education

“What does a new instructional designer need to know to find her or his feet when working with faculty to create online classes?” This is a practical handbook for established and aspiring instructional designers in higher education, readers who may also be identified by such professional titles as educational developer, instructional technologist, or online learning specialist.Jerod Quinn, together with a team of experienced instructional designers who have worked extensively with a wide range of faculty on a multiplicity of online courses across all types of institutions, offer key guiding principles, insights and advice on how to develop productive and collegial partnerships with faculty to deliver courses that engage students and promote enduring learning.Designing and developing online classes for higher education takes a combination of pedagogical knowledge, the ability to build trust with faculty, familiarity with frameworks on how people learn, understanding of accessibility and inclusion, and technical skills to leverage a learning management system into an educational experience. Coming from diverse backgrounds, few instructional designers enter academia well versed in all of these aspects of creating online classes. This book provides the foundation on which instructional designers can build their careers.The guiding principle that animates this book is that the student experience and successful learning outcomes are paramount, and governs discussion of course design, pedagogy, the use of multimedia and technological advances, as well as the use of different forms of interactive exercises and group assignments. The succinct, informally written chapters offer ideas and means to apply theory to the daily work of instructional design and cover the four key components that drive thus work in higher education:Defining the scope and main design approaches of our workBuilding trust with the faculty we work withApplying frameworks of how people learnMastering common online instructional practices Review The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer is the book I needed in my hands when I started in higher education instructional design. Quinn and colleagues have crafted a practical, affirming, and empowering book that will shape your practice and be a mainstay on your reading list. This book centers design practice on the things thatmatter most for instructional designers: collaboration, intentionality, and relationships. Every early career designer and design student should own this book.--Jason Drysdale, Director of Instructional Design & Program Development "University of Colorado""Creating high-quality online courses involves more than writing objectives and content alignment. Instructional designers (IDs) must also learn to navigate the higher education landscape and build mutually respectful, collaborative relationships with faculty. The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer introduces the reader to multiple "mentors" who have mastered these challenges and come out the other side with concrete, practical advice. It serves as an excellent resource for IDs new to higher education."--Andrea Gregg, Director of Online Pedagogy and Credentialing; Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering "The Pennsylvania State University"The importance of excellent online education--And of well-equipped instructional designers--has never been clearer. The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer provides a guidebook for new designers navigating a complex role as guide, learner advocate, and design partner. Full of practical and immediately applicable strategies, each chapter puts the learner at the center, focusing on everything from productive consultations, skill-building, and key frameworks for learning and teaching, as well as ideas for further reading and professional development.--Deandra Little, assistant provost & director, Center for the Advancement