Collaborating with an instructional designer to develop a quality learner-engaged online course

Abstract

As increasing numbers of registered nurses pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, many choose online programs to reach their goal, prompting nursing faculty to convert traditional face-to-face courses to an online format. Providing an excellent learning experience may prove challenging for faculty unfamiliar with the technology needed to construct a quality learner-engaged online course. While nursing faculty provide expertise in the subject matter, an instructional designer assists in streamlining the design and development of the course, supplying fresh ideas to engage students using current teaching pedagogy and technology tools. This paper describes the benefits of collaborating with an instructional designer to produce a quality course and how working with an instructional designer can increase faculty technology skills and knowledge of new teaching methodologies while also improving the learner’s engagement in an online course through a quality educational experience.