Christmas traditions vary from family to family and person to person. But whether it’s decorating with lights to brighten the long winter nights, hanging stockings on the mantel, or placing a manger in a prominent location for all to see, these traditions seek to fill the season with significance and cheer.
Each December, our team enjoys the tradition to pause and reflect on the research and resources we share on the website. And we hope this tradition of reflection brings meaning to our Model eLearning community. With 2024 only a couple weeks away, it’s time to for the traditional review of the highlights of 2023.
In 2023, our team continued to work in a hybrid environment as we juggled new projects with our normal course developments and maintenance. Several programs started the process of updating courses to align with their accrediting organizations. We adapted several existing 7-week courses to fit into 14 weeks. We introduced new media assessment rubrics to improve the quality of the media used in our courses. And as the year ends, we’re looking ahead at changes to the academic calendar and learning management system (LMS).
Supporting Teaching and Learning With Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) became an increasingly discussed topic in 2023. It quickly became apparent the AI revolution is here—whether we realize it or not. While there’s much to be discovered about AI, the potential uses in teaching and learning can no longer be ignored.
When we design for online and blended courses, we need to find the best solution to deliver meaningful opportunities for learning. Whether we use instructional technologies for presentation and organization or collaborative and social learning tools, we must consider the content, context, and needs of the learner. If video works well in context, understanding video editing basics can improve the quality of the final product.
Design Considerations for Learner’s Needs
As designers, we must always weigh many considerations in our designs. Whether we ask if going digital alters the learner’s retention of course materials or how the course length impacts the learner’s experience, we must lean into research, needs assessment, and gap analysis to provide the best solutions. Perhaps most importantly, we should use a holistic approach to design support for the mental health needs of students.
Looking forward to 2024!
When I wrote this post, snow blanketed campus—the traditional Michigan reminder that Christmas and the new year will be here soon. While 2023 has been a busy year for our team, it’s building the foundations for 2024 and beyond. We hope you keep watching Model eLearning in the new year for instructional design content!
Warmest wishes to you for this holiday season. Have a Merry Christmas (and a Happy New Year)!
Jessica M. Bishop
Managing Editor, Model eLearning
Model eLearning 