Online Staff Development Module for E-learning and Pedagogy: Analysis, Design and Development

In the following design case, Learning Technologists (LT’s) charged with developing a program for distance and blended learning describe the creation of an online module for staff development that helps lecturers to develop their online teaching skills. Using the Community of Inquiry Framework, the LT’s structured an environment in which staff learned fundamental ideas of online pedagogy and experienced common tools for the learning environment. They then applied those tools and information gained from the coursework to the design of their own online module. The lecturers-as-students are also asked to reflect upon their experiences as classroom lecturers and to incorporate that experiential knowledge into the course design process. This paper describes the development of the module, the elements of the module, and the lessons learned from the pilot run.