Learning Technologies Foundations and Applications

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-technologies-foundations-applications

Introduction

**Course Review: Learning Technologies Foundations and Applications on Coursera** If you're aiming to enhance your skills in instructional design or are simply curious about the intersection of technology and education, Coursera's Learning Technologies Foundations and Applications course is a robust entry point. Offered as a part of the Instructional Design MasterTrack Certificate, this four-week MOOC course promises to deepen your understanding of how learning technologies can be strategically employed to solve educational problems and enhance organizational learning. ### Course Overview The course is structured to facilitate both theoretical knowledge and practical application. By the end of it, participants will be well-equipped to identify, evaluate, and justify learning technology solutions tailored to various organizational challenges. This capability is increasingly significant in today’s tech-driven educational landscape, where educators and instructional designers must navigate an array of tools and platforms to deliver effective learning experiences. ### What You'll Learn Upon completion, you will gain the ability to: 1. **Identify Suitable Learning Technologies**: You’ll learn how to select the most appropriate learning technology applications for different problem-solving tasks. 2. **Evaluate Learning Technology Solutions**: Using Cognitive Load Theory and other multimedia learning design models, you will assess the effectiveness and suitability of various educational technologies. 3. **Justify Technology Selection**: You will be able to argue the choice of specific learning technologies in solving organizational problems, enhancing your decision-making skills in instructional design settings. ### Detailed Syllabus Breakdown The course is thoughtfully divided into four modules plus an introductory orientation, ensuring participants have a structured learning experience: **Course Orientation:** Kick-start your learning journey by familiarizing yourself with the course setup, your fellow learners, and the technical skills necessary for engaging with the content. **Module 1: Learning, Design, and Technology**: This module lays the groundwork by exploring the field of learning technologies and the various career paths available. It’s a great way to situate your learning within broader professional contexts. **Module 2: The Evolvement of Learning Technologies**: Dive into the historical journey of learning technologies and their implications for global citizenship in teaching. This module revisits critical learning theories to equip you with a solid foundation. **Module 3: Designing Technology-Enriched and -Enabled Learning Environments (TEELE)**: Here, you will learn to navigate the complexities of creating effective learning environments. You’ll explore the MVP framework and discuss diversity in learning technologies, including newer assistive technologies. **Module 4: Cognitive Load Theory and its Implications on E-Learning and TEELE**: This critical module focuses on Cognitive Load Theory and its relevance in designing learning technologies that support optimal cognitive processing. **Course Conclusion**: Wrap up your learning experience with a summary of key takeaways that will help consolidate your understanding and application of learning technologies. ### Final Thoughts and Recommendations The Learning Technologies Foundations and Applications course is highly recommended for educators, instructional designers, and anyone interested in leveraging technology to improve learning outcomes. Its comprehensive syllabus and focus on real-world applications, coupled with a thorough exploration of foundational theories, make it a valuable resource. Coursera’s platform also encourages interaction among participants, enabling you to share insights and collaborate on learning challenges. If you are serious about advancing your career in instructional design or learning technologies, this course will not only enhance your understanding but also provide practical tools that can be readily applied in your professional context. Dive into this course to unlock the potential of learning technologies and transform your approach to instructional design!

Syllabus

COURSE ORIENTATION

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

In this module, we will identify and discuss the field of learning technologies. We will also discuss the landscape of careers and potential career paths related to learning technologies across organizations.

In this module, students will gain an understanding on the evolution of learning technologies and technology’s impact on the emerging global citizenship as it relates to teaching and learning situated in broad and diverse contexts. In addition, students will revisit major concepts of learning theories discussed in HRD 411 MOOC.

In this module, students will develop understanding on the complexity of designing and developing effective learning technologies for teaching and learning purposes across contexts. Specifically, students will learn about E3, Motivation, Volition, and Performance (MVP), and transactional distance design frameworks for designing effective, technology-enriched and enabled learning environments (TEELE). Furthermore, students will develop foundational understanding on diversity issues related to learning technologies. In particular, this week will introduce students to assistive technologies and needs of senior citizens in the context of learning technologies.

In this module, students will develop foundational understanding on Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), which guides the design and development of TEELE and learning technologies based on empirical findings. CLT is most applicable for explaining how the design of TEELE could help learners optimize their limited cognitive capacity (i.e., working memory) for efficient learning processes.