Instruction, Design, & Technology Program
Program Mission
The mission of the Instruction, Design, and Technology (IDT) Certificate program is to prepare educators to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate engaging educational opportunities and experiences to promote student success. The program will enable the educator to effectively employ emergent technologies in a variety of modes and settings.
Program Description
It is critically important for educators to keep current with the ever-changing instructional technology landscape. When employed effectively, educational technology can enhance student learning and bring new dimensions to traditional teaching methods. However, if not integrated correctly, technology can be expensive, distracting, time consuming, and overwhelming. In worst case scenarios, inappropriately deployed technology will not only stifle the learning process – but be an outright barrier to learning.
The IDT Certificate Program will help educators understand different ways in which technology applications, tools, and practices can make a significant difference in student learning. The program will help the educator to gain skills and knowledge in the use of technology and to develop effective strategies for using technology-enhanced learning activities in the classroom. Educators who earn the IDT Certificate will be able to better understand, interact with, and design state of the art technology-enabled learning.
Program Goals
Graduates of the Instruction, Design and Teaching Program will
- Develop and apply a dynamic approach to teaching that is grounded in pedagogical principles and an appreciation for the needs of diverse learners.
- Design and develop learner-centered courses based on sound instructional design principles.
- Apply learner-centered instructional strategies to enhance student engagement, learning, and success.
- Design and implement a variety of formative and summative assessments to evaluate learning, communicate feedback, and guide instruction.
- Leverage appropriate technologies to advance teaching and learning.
- Engage in continuous development to maximize instructional effectiveness.
Course Descriptions
Description: This course prepares faculty to teach distance education courses. Participants will address the unique challenges of teaching in distance education environments. Topics include instructor presence, equity and accessibility, timely feedback, student progress, and course management.
Description: This course prepares professional educators to develop instructional strategies, curriculum, lesson planning, and assessment. Participants self-reflect as they develop and enhance effective teaching practices.
Description: This course equips educators with strategies to strengthen instructional practices through collaboration and data-informed reflection. Participants will collaborate with their peers, analyze teaching feedback, revise instructional materials, and implement inclusive, active learning approaches.
Prerequisite: IDT G10
Description: This course supports educators in designing formative assessments that effectively scaffold student learning toward summative evaluations. Educators will explore integrating technology and generative AI to provide timely, personalized feedback that meets Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) requirements.
Prerequisites: IDT G10 and IDT G15
Description: This course prepares educators to design, develop, and deliver accessible courses. Participants will examine requirements, challenges and concepts related to accessibility. Specifically, they will use the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), online accessibility tools and resources to design, develop and deliver accessible digital content.
Description: This course guides educators in applying learning experience design strategies to create engaging, human-centered learning environments that meet Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) requirements and support student success.
Prerequisites: IDT G10 and IDT G15
Description: This course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of 21st Century digital learners through the application of instructional technology tools and Open Educational Resources (OERs). Participants will explore and evaluate instructional technology tools and OERs to promote equitable, inclusive, and accessible digital learning environments and support the achievement of student learning outcomes. Throughout the course, participants will engage in collaborative learning experiences, reflective exercises, and practical applications that will enable them to effectively implement instructional technology tools and OERs. Participants will leave the course with a comprehensive understanding of instructional technology tools, OERs and will be equipped to apply these concepts to their teaching practices.
Description: Special Topic courses are intended to cover advanced material outside of or beyond the scope of current course offerings. The student may take this course a maximum of twice, with an approved change of topic for each instance.