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Program

Foundational Certificate: Instructional Design for Learning

Started Jan 24, 2022

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Full program description

January 24th - July 1st, 2022 | Fully Online Certificate

Program Description:

The certificate in Instructional Design for Learning aims to develop individuals with skills and knowledge to step into the field as instructional designers. The non-credit micro-credentials are meant to serve as rigorous, skill-based, applied, five to six month offerings taught by practitioners in the field. Certificate students will develop workforce-ready instructional design skills through the development of a portfolio demonstrating their competency in instructional design.

Timeline and Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree is required.

The course will take place from January 24th - July 1st, 2022. Final grades from the faculty will be submitted by July 11th, 2022. Work will primarily be asynchronous, with one live session per module with your facilitator and your cohort.

Modules:

Each module is five weeks long. The modules are primarily asynchronous and will have one live session at week three for 60-90 minutes. Every module will have three assignments: one will be a draft of the artifact for that module, a peer review of another participant’s draft, and a final revised version of your own artifact. 

  • Module 1: Instructional Design Methods and Practices
  • Module 2: Applied Learning Science and Human-Centered Design
  • Module 3: Facilitating the Instructional Design Process
  • Module 4: Authoring Interactive Learning Experiences

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Utilize multiple instruction systems design (ISD) processes in appropriate contexts.
  2. Apply core understandings of learning science and adult learning theory to design processes.
  3. Leverage human-centered design approaches in the design of learning experiences.
  4. Design formative and summative assessments that align with learning outcomes.
  5. Use authoring tools to create engaging digital multimedia learning objects and resources.

Fees & Policies:

Payment/Refund Policy: Payment can only be completed by credit card for individuals. Groups who are interested in payment via purchase order can contact: lynchschoolpce@bc.edu. Refunds will be granted only up until registration closes. No refunds will be granted for registration or technical errors on the participant's part (such as incorrect name/email, login failure, etc.).

Cancellation Policy: The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone classes due to insufficient enrollment, instructor illness, severe weather or natural disaster. In the event of cancellation, registrants will be notified immediately and all fees will be returned.

FAQs:

What does online learning consist of?

Modules will be taken through Canvas Catalog, which is a learning management system that allows participants to submit assignments and  interact with each other and their module facilitator. Work will primarily be asynchronous, with one live session per module with your facilitator and your cohort. There are four modules in the Foundational Certificate and five modules in the advanced Certificate. Modules are taken on a consecutive basis and can not be taken outside of a certificate.

Where can students build out their portfolios for the certificates?

Participants will create their own account in Google Sites and utilize this platform to build their portfolio. 

What is the deadline to register for the Foundational Certificate and the Advanced Certificate?

The Foundational Certificate begins on January 24, 2022. The Advanced Certificate begins on September 12, 2022. Registration for both certificates will close at 12pm on those start dates.

What is the difference between the Foundational and Advanced Certificate?

The modules in the first certificate will serve as the foundational set of skills required to communicate, coordinate and develop online courses and curriculum and the modules in the second certificate will focus on an advanced set of skills required to assess, evaluate, and build media.  Both certificates will lead to a portfolio of work.  The second certificate will also include a capstone project tailored to the participant’s interests.

Do I need to take both certificates?

If participants have the knowledge listed on the Foundational Certificate under Learning Outcomes, they may self elect to register directly for the Advanced Certificate. Participants taking the Advanced Certificate directly should have some experience in the field. If you are unsure of which certificate is best suited for you, please contact: lynchschoolpce@bc.edu or schedule a call with us using this link.

May I register for both the Foundational Certificate and the Advanced Certificate at the same time?

Yes, participants may register for both certificates. However, the Foundational Certificate must be completed prior to starting the Advanced Certificate.  

Will I be awarded a certificate?

To be awarded a certificate, participants must complete and pass each module. Modules are graded on a pass/fail basis. No letter grades or credits will be provided. In the event a participant fails a module, a facilitator will work with participants to provide a one-time extension of two weeks to resubmit work at that time. Extensions will not be granted at a future date. 

What happens if I can’t complete the certificate due to extenuating circumstances?

The university will work with participants to ensure they can complete the certificate when the program is offered again.   

What is your refund policy?

Refunds will only be granted up until the start of the certificate. No refunds will be available once the certificate has started.

I have a few more questions, who can I contact?

Feel free to email us at lynchschoolpce@bc.edu with the subject headline as “Instructional Design”. Participants may also schedule a call with us using this calendar link: https://apply.bc.edu/portal/instructional_design.

Additional offerings from the Lynch School Professional & Continuing Education Office can be found on our website

Facilitators:

Nina Araujo

Nina Araújo has over 20 years of experience in education, technology program development, learning experience design and management. She enjoys creating learning experiences that transform the teaching and learning processes into successful designs that impact lives. Her expertise includes instructional design, creating user personas, scenario scripts, storyboards, and module wireframes for Articulate 360, as well as working directly with the subject matter experts to develop course content, and quality assurance. She taught at Northeastern University for ten years and has also produced courses for scaled delivery on platforms like Skillshare.

carol damm

As Associate Director, Learning Design at the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning, Carol Damm leads the learning design staff and consults on program design for the wider Boston College community. She has more than 10 years experience in the field of learning design both in higher education as well as in online learning and development. Previously, she was an instructional designer and project manager in the non-profit sector, worked in a K-12 private school setting, and led her own instructional design consulting business. Carol has also developed and taught online courses in instructional design and learning experience design at UMASS Boston and Brandeis. 

Brian Salerno

Brian Salerno is the Executive Director of the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL) at Boston College. Having spent two decades in the field of learning design in higher education, he has been involved in the planning, design, development, and launch of dozens of online and hybrid programs as well as formed and managed teams of learning designers and technologists. Brian has developed significant expertise in the areas of instructional and multimedia design, educational technology, faculty development, online program management, and digital innovation in teaching and learning.

jen livengood

Jennifer Livengood began her career as a professor in recreation and sport management and transitioned to instructional design in 2010. She learned how to collaborate with subject matter experts to create engaging online courses in various science, liberal arts, medical, and technical subjects. Over the past ten years, Jennifer has developed a list of best practices and recommendations for developing online and face-to-face courses. She has also become proficient in designing engaging continuing education courses and uses software, such as Articulate Storyline and Rise, to develop interactive course content.