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UMGC, USMx: Instructional Design: Digital Media, New Tools and Technology

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Explore the design, development and use of digital media and emerging technologies to support online teaching and learning.

Instructional Design: Digital Media, New Tools and Technology
8 weeks
8–10 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
Free
Optional upgrade available

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Started Oct 15
Ends Dec 9
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Ends Jul 22, 2025
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Instructional Design: Digital Media, New Tools and Technology

About this course

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Instructional designers today have a tremendous number of tools and resources available to them to create highly engaging courses. Social media, digital video, and freely available online instructional resources and applications connect and engage people in new, and exciting ways. When creating online learning experiences, instructional designers integrate and infuse these digital tools and digital content in ways that engage and connect learners to course content.

In the third course in the Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters Program, you will explore the design, development, and integration of digital media to enhance the learning experience.

Choosing instructional materials for a course may seem like a simple step, but in fact, there are many important aspects of online learning experience development that are important to consider, such as content creation, copyright and creative commons, accessibility testing, and visual and web design techniques.

Course topics include media and visual design, video, screencasting, animation, storyboarding, authoring tools for interactive learning, as well as audio in instructional design.

This course is part of the Instructional Design and Technology MicroMaster’s program from UMGC. Upon completion of the program and receipt of the verified MicroMaster’s certificate, learners may then transition into the full UMGC Master’s Program in Learning Design and Technology. See the MicroMasters program page for more information.

At a glance

  • Institutions:

    UMGC

    USMx
  • Subject: Education & Teacher Training
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    The program content and course projects are sequential, allowing the learner to build on subsequent work. Completing LDT100x and LDT200x is highly recommended before completing LDT300x coursework. Basic experience in word processing and G Suite and a background in teaching, education, or professional development are helpful but not required.

  • Associated programs:
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Digital Content, Instructional Design, Literacy, Animations, Learning Design, Visual Design, Online Teaching, Digital Video, Web Accessibility Testing, Social Media, Storyboarding, Design And Technology, Web Design, Integration, Emerging Technologies, Interactive Learning, Content Creation

What you'll learn

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  1. Describe how different types of media can be used to aid and enhance learning, understanding the cognitive and affective impacts of media on learners.
  2. Design and develop various digital media, such as images, audio, video, animations, and interactive elements, specifically for enhancing learning experiences.
  3. Apply principles of graphic design, visual literacy, and multimedia design in the creation of educational content, ensuring that media effectively supports and enhances learning objectives.s
  4. Assign appropriate licenses adhering to digital and intellectual property rights when designing media.
  5. Create instructional media accessible to a diverse range of learners, incorporating principles of inclusivity and accessibility to meet all learners' needs.

Syllabus

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Week 1: Digital Media Introduction
Week 2: Visual Design, Digital Text, & Audio
Week 3: Digital Images
Week 4: Video Tools & Accessibility Requirements
Week 5: Screencast & Animation Videos
Week 6: Storyboards
Week 7: Authoring Tools for Interactive Learning
​Week 8: Artificial Intelligence, IDD Updates, & Signature Assignment Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does a student have to apply to and complete the full UMGC degree?

To ensure that your program remains relevant and up-to-date, UMGC sets time limits for completing a program. Students have five (5) consecutive years from the start of the graduate degree to complete their degree. For students who start with a MicroMasters, their “time clock” begins on the date that they complete their last course in the MicroMasters program and receive their Verified Certificate. This means that students should apply to UMGC promptly to begin the degree and have as much time as possible to complete it.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
4 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
8 months
8 - 10 hours per week

Ways to take this course

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Certificate

Free

Price

$299 USD

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Access to course materials

Unlimited

Limited

Expires on Jul 22, 2025

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Shareable certificate upon completion

Graded assignments and exams

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