The new programme “Instructional Design” at Ulm University is designed for interested parties from the field of education who would like to pursue additional qualifications on a part-time basis. Students of the part-time master’s programme organised by the School of Advanced Professional Studies (SAPS) address topics including the design of learning processes and teaching content. The focus is on online and continuing education programmes. At the end of the modular programme, which can be structured flexibly in terms of time, students are awarded a Master of Science degree. Applications are now being accepted for a paid study place.
The part-time master’s degree programme Instructional Design deals with all aspects of teaching and learning via media instruction. It combines the necessary skills from the fields of psychology, education, computer science and economics, and also covers the topics of statistics and research methods. “The course is geared towards people who want to create ideal learning processes and effective learning opportunities. In particular, we would like to attract developers of online and blended learning formats”, says program director Tina Seufert, professor for teaching and learning research at the Institute of Psychology and Education at Ulm University.
The organisers use an e-learning approach for the study programme itself as well. Their approach combines many online and self-learning phases with a few on-campus seminars in Ulm – in compliance with the valid corona regulations, of course. A virtual classroom has been set up as a platform for students to exchange ideas or communicate with instructors. The virtual classroom provides students with access to all the necessary learning materials such as scripts and videos, but also interactive exercises, quizzes and software for creating a learning portfolio. Personal tutors support students on an individual basis and provide quick answers to questions concerning content. “So the programme is particularly suitable for professionals who need to be able to plan flexibly in terms of time and location”, explains Dr Gabriele Gröger, director of the SAPS. The programme has a modular structure, and the number of modules per semester can be determined on an individual basis to accommodate personal interests or personal and professional obligations that the students may have.
In the 2020/21 winter semester, some modules of the Instructional Design programme will be taking place for the first time, including “Psychological Foundations of Media Design” and “Digitalised Teaching and Learning”. Due to the corona pandemic, these courses will be offered online. The course modules, which are subject to a fee and separated thematically, may be taken individually and independently of each other. Participants will receive a university certificate upon successful completion of the exam at the end of the programme. The individual certificates may later be credited toward a master’s degree programme.
Text and media contact: Daniela Stang