As higher education institutions increasingly expand their online course offerings, the role of instructional designers in enhancing instructional quality and effectiveness becomes critical. This study surveyed practicing instructional designers to explore the specific tasks they perform performed in higher education and identifies factors that…

This article outlines the redesign of an undergraduate digital learning theories course, integrating scenario-based learning (SBL) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. The article incorporates scenario-based instruction using Articulate Rise 360, focusing on real-world challenges to enhance learner engagement and applicability. This…

Merrill's first principles of instruction (FPI) are considered as fundamental principles for improving instructional effectiveness regardless of context, approach, or audience. However, very little research explores in detail the process of implementing FPI in course design. In this case study, we provide specific descriptions of how we applied…

We have explored designers having empathy for the audience of focus, designers using empathy as a means to an end, and designers using empathy to deliver a meaningful design deliverable. Our research has evolved from studying how designers reflect on their own design context and the audience's given circumstance to designers acting on moments of…

We explore an innovative approach to learning design representations called course composition diagrams, which consist of interactive digital icons representing course elements, such as videos and quizzes. Course composition diagrams present a visual overview of course structure, including the placement and sequence of individual elements within a…

The purpose of this paper was to explore the experiences of doctoral students in an Ed.D. program in Learning Design and Technologies at the University of South Carolina. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 35 students after their degree completion. Overall, the students were satisfied with the quality and the value of the…

The effectiveness of positive psychology interventions relies heavily on participants' buy-in and personality traits. The Best Possible Self (BPS) intervention asks participants to envision their ideal future, supposing that everything goes smoothly. The BPS shows salient effects in improving subjective well-being in laboratory settings. In this…

The Reimagining Online Education project used Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) to foster a collaborative, student-driven research process with the aim of amplifying the voices and experiences of students belonging to minoritized groups in curriculum development for online courses. The project provided students the opportunity to evaluate…

This research study delves into the dynamics of instructional designers' decision-making practices concerning the integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in online learning environments within higher education. The study emphasizes the influence of contextual factors on instructional designers' decision-making, recognizing…

Although using specific guidelines to structure course participation in online courses can boost learner engagement, research suggests that learners' overreliance on these standards can lead to superficial participation. As a result, alternative methods for participation assessment, such as ungrading or self-assessment, are increasingly being…

Anxiety surrounding the taking of online statistics courses in higher education is a common issue. Many studies have been conducted on the cause of math anxiety as well as anxiety in computer-based learning. The purpose of this study was to examine whether using gamification and Mayer's Multimedia principles in an asynchronous, online statistics…

During the 2018 Professors in Instructional Design (PIDT) Conference, faculty representing over a dozen institutions met to discuss curricular initiatives that were being implemented across programs, and the challenges and benefits of these initiatives. The discussion focused on several areas, including: interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary…

College students frequently use mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets) to access online courses yet online course designers often do not design courses with mobile learning in mind. This research identified seven national and statewide online course design evaluation instruments and examined the criteria that guide course designers…

Integrating authentic learning opportunities into online courses can be particularly challenging. These challenges have contributed to a lack of examples (i.e., case studies) of how online instructors have successfully integrated authentic learning into their courses (Vo et al. 2018). This article fills this gap by describing the process of…

A design case is a form of scholarly writing in which the author embarks on a reflective journey sharing rich descriptions of their design, design processes, challenges, etc. This paper presents two design cases that demonstrate how learning theories and instructional design concepts were purposefully incorporated in two instructional applications…