Online

Course Design and Development Pedagogical Summary

Chunking
Benefits and recommendations for content chunking include:
Planning Through Storyboarding
Storyboarding provides an easy and intuitive way to plan out the chunking of information at the start
of the design process. It generates clear visual references for each screen, modules, section, etc., and
offers a broader perspective of the organizational layout of your chunking.
Accommodating Working Memory
Cognitive load should be at the forefront of your planning. The information being brought in has to
processed, so the working memory will be engaged in handling what is encountered. As stated by H.
Lee Swanson, the University of California, Riverside, Its like mental juggling. Understanding this, it is
critical to approach chunking content with intention in order to ensure that too much information is
not presented at once. Otherwise, it will not be processed and retained.
Leveraging Student Knowledge
The act of content chunking forces the prioritization of the information being presented. If the content
is structured to constantly build on the student knowledge, the organization of the content chunking
follow a much more logical flow. Additionally, this approach will aid in preventing students from
getting lost within a course, and help minimize the tendency of getting ahead of the instruction.
The Power of Bullet Points
Bullet points provide a simple, clean method of organizing information. They leverage the emotional
and cognitive impact of the use of white space within the design to facilitate consumption and
effective dissemination of content, and help to emphasize essential points. These elements also make
the chunking process easier for the student by helping improve their focus on the content.

Learning Cycles
Modular approach should adopt a consistent learning cycle for the structure. While the ADDIE and ASSURE
models serve as primary structural frameworks for instructional design within the overall course, the flow of
the modules is based more on the BSCS 5E instructional model. The following represent two examples of
cycles that can be applied. However, the approach that is recommended for online courses is based on a
derivative of this model. This configuration provides a structure that is more appropriate for the
differentiating aspects and emphasis of most online programs, while still addressing the topical and
instructional requirements.
Standard BSCS 5E Learning Cycle Examples:
Type 1 - Standard Phases
o Engage
o Explore
o Explain
o Elaborate
o Evaluate

Douglas G. Darby 2016. All rights reserved. Draft v1

Online Course Design and Development Pedagogical Summary
Type 2 - Abbreviated Phases
o Engage
o Explore
o Apply
o Review
Recommended Learning Cycle for Online Courses:
The recommended cycle for our course development includes an additional steps to account for appropriate
setup, preparation, and processing. Below are the steps included in this approach:
Inform
Engage
Explore
Apply
Explain
Elaborate
Reflect

Structural Methods
By Modules
o Advantages
Clearly organized for student and instructor
Flexibility through multiple mechanisms, methods, and content options
Defines how content is to be delivered
Supports content delivery through instructional scaffolding
Facilitates clear navigation and progression
o Considerations
Applying a specific learning cycle provides experiential consistency
Leveraging existing elements to provide clear organization
Determining degree of flow and control is desired for student progression
By Pages
o Advantages
Supports a broad range of content and customization
Offers a more visually appealing interface for students
Useful when non-linear flow is desired as part of the experience
Can be configured for collaborative learning activities
o Considerations
Visual elements should be incorporated to support context of topic of focus
Depending on the structure of course, pages menu option may need to be hidden
Pages are always listed alphabetically, so there is less control of ordering

Douglas G. Darby 2016. All rights reserved. Draft v1