FOLD

FOLD is an asynchronous online institute that is grounded in instructional design theory and research in online learning. This course was custom-designed for Bradley University professors and is based on the curriculum developed over the last seven years by Dr. Barbra Kerns for Bradley's Online Course Design Institute. (OCDI) While that institute was delivered via a one-week face to face offering over the summer what you'll find in the modules here is an asynchronous representation that distills the standards of Quality Matters (QM) while also introducing learners to the concepts of ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) and Wiggins and McTigue's model of backwards design. Quality Matters and its rubrics (which are our first module) were developed by a team of researchers working on a three year Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant. Fifteen years ago this group worked to develop a governing set of standards that laid out exactly what an online course should include to achieve the highest quality possible. What came of that venture was the Quality Matters rubric and since that initial grant the Quality Matters group has continued their work by routinely evaluating and refining their rubrics and materials based on emerging research in the field. All of these models and concepts (QM, ADDIE, and Backward Design) are tailored to make online learning a rigorous and healthy environment for learners to achieve at the highest possible levels. A poorly designed, or haphazard approach, can leave students in the dark as to what they are supposed to learn, when they are supposed to learn it, and how they are supposed to prove that they have learned it. To be certain, nothing is ever perfect the first time through and the continuous nature of refinement and development associated with the QM process, ADDIE, and Backward Design not only support, but encourage all of us to keep moving forward.

Please follow this link for a look at the FOLD Coursemap, objectives, modules, and other information.

Ready to get started? Follow this link to sign up and get working today!

Note: Parts of this training assume a certain level of skills when using Canvas whether it be with the Syllabus tool, Assignments tool, or any number of other tools. Many of the modules, however, will have supplemental technology instruction with the course tools linked within the modules. If you are comfortable with the proposed skill feel free to skip those portions of the training, but if you need it, it's there.