Overview

Multimodal texts make learning interesting. Video, podcasts and infographics not only have the capability to excite and engage, but to reach a broader demography of learners who don’t thrive on verbal language knowledge acquisition and exchange alone. Multimodal texts provide a variety of ways in which to communicate and provide information to learners, as well as meet the needs of different learners’ preferences. Using video, podcasts, infographics or images as well as text, directly impacts learning outcomes. Design decisions that incorporate multimodal learning objects – made by both educators and learners – can make learning memorable, meaningful and retainable. Decisions we make about how we communicate should be done through a systematic and informed process, rather than via a random selection of tools. In this course, you’ll explore learning design principles associated with how, why and when to use multimodal texts. You’ll also explore and analyse the features and benefits of a range of text types, such as video, audio and infographics. The course is designed for educators, teachers, learning designers, instructional designers, tutors, lecturers, course convenors and anyone else who may be interested in creating powerful and memorable learning experiences for learners of all ages. Learning outcomes By the end of this course, you’ll: 1. Recognise best practice design principles and approaches for multimodal text creation 2. Select, design and create a variety of multimodal text types, including video, audio and infographics 3. Critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the different multimodal text types

Syllabus

The principles of good online learning design

Welcome to week 1! It is important to consider some design parameters before you start to create your own multimodal learning objects. This week, we’ll explore four key principle that will inform the design of the learning sequence in which your learning objects will sit. They are; time, space, purpose and the online instructor's role. We'll also explore the 'rapid-design process' and provide you with some tools and techniques for the weeks of multimodal learning object creation ahead. Get ready to design and create you very own multimodal text types!

Designing infographic multimodal text types

Welcome to week 2! This week you will be given the opportunity to design and build your own infographic. Infographics can add real value to an online course when designed, developed and implemented well. As you will discover this week, there are many advantages of incorporating infographics into your own online course. We'd argue that infographics work best if they are paired with a 'friend'. What do we mean by this? Continue on to learn more!

Designing audio multimodal text types

Welcome to Week 3! Audio resources and educational podcasts are growing in popularity. Do you listen to podcasts or e-books? This week we dive into audio text type creation. Creating your own podcast can be fun and simple. This week you will have the chance to listen to some experienced podcasters who have created their own podcasts specifically for their learners.

Designing video multimodal text types

Welcome to week 4! Visual storytelling can help make complex stories easier to understand and, as a result, deliver a more impactful message. That is the power of video, as you will discover this week when you create your own video. Creating a powerful instructional video learning resource is a time consuming and intensive process. This week we'll share some tips and tricks with you that will save you time and energy when you make your own instructional videos. Lights! Camera! Action!

Prototyping and the critical friend protocol

Welcome to week 5! We hope that you've enjoyed designing and creating your own learning objects. Now it's time to prototype and iterate the three learning objects you've made so far. To improve our learning objects we can ask our friends and colleagues for feedback. This week we will focus on the importance of both providing and receiving effective feedback, and share with you a structured way to give and receive meaningful and constructive feedback, which is called the 'critical friend protocol'.