Design for Learning Environments PGCert

Program Overview

The University of Birmingham's online Postgraduate Certificate in Design for Learning Environments equips students with skills and knowledge to excel as innovative learning designers in multiple industries, drawing upon the latest thinking in computing, design, social sciences, and education to design better learning experiences. The interdisciplinary program, delivered by experts in the field, provides students with a comprehensive understanding of learning environments and prepares them for a range of careers in the expanding field of learning design.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The University of Birmingham's online PGCert in Design for Learning Environments is a postgraduate certificate designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to excel as innovative learning designers across multiple industries. The program focuses on the latest thinking in computing, design, the social sciences, and education, aiming to help students design better learning experiences and seize upon new career opportunities. The program offers a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to understanding online and offline learning design, providing students with the edge in progressing their careers in this expanding field.

Objectives:

The program aims to help students:

• Develop a digital artifact and implement it in a learning environment, drawing on new technologies.
• Analyze data sets against key tools and frameworks to evaluate teaching and learning.
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary learning perspectives.
• Examine the learning environment from a social and technical perspective.
• Communicate a design proposal and plan a learning environment.

Outline:

The Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments is a 60-credit, 12-month program of study. Students will study six 10-credit modules over the year, with each module lasting 8 weeks.

Course Schedule:

• Students have a maximum of 5 years to finish the program.
• Under certain circumstances, students can break up their studies and take time out between modules.

Individual Modules:

• Applied data science for learning environments: This course introduces data science within education and modern learning environments.
Students will create and use data stories and consider how to design data collection strategies for robust insightful analysis.
• Communicating design stories: This course integrates disciplinary knowledge from previous courses, moving from a multidisciplinary approach to integrating knowledge and practice in an interdisciplinary manner.
Students will apply these approaches and integrate knowledge in response to a case study project.
• Design and design thinking: This module defines design and design thinking by exploring old and new conceptualizations of design in general, and design within learning environments.
Students will look at interactions between actors within the design process and around designed artifacts and consider what being a designer means.
• Developing digital artefacts for learning: This course focuses on key technologies underpinning modern digital artifact creation, including how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build rich learning experiences.
Students will also consider how to create basic VR experiences, explore how blockchains could impact education in the future, and consider deployment and security of virtual learning environments.
• Perspectives on learning: This course looks at learning environments from a theoretical and critical perspective in terms of how we think about education and learning.
Students will study learning theory from a practical design perspective as well as the fields of sociology and psychology.
• Sociotechnical learning environments: This course explores the relationship between society and technology.
Students will engage with how the social and technical interact and influence education and society.

Teaching:

• The program is delivered by an interdisciplinary faculty of designers, researchers, educationalists, and technologists.
• The program exposes students to the latest research, thinking, and practical application of technology from a range of different perspectives.
• The program encourages students to collaborate with fellow students, academics, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds.

Careers:

The Design for Learning Environments PGCert will equip students with the skills and knowledge to design programs of learning that meet the needs of a wide range of learners and organizations in an expanding field.

Potential Career Paths:

• Instructional Designer
• Digital Learning Designer
• Learning Experience Designer
• Learning Architect
• E-Learning Designer
• Learning Technologist
• Learning Developer
• Digital Learning Officer
• Learning Advisor

Other:

• The program is delivered 100% online.
• The program is run by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
• The program is designed to fit students' busy schedules.
• The program includes asynchronous and synchronous learning activities.
• The program offers 24/7 technical support.
• The program is designed to provide a dynamic learning experience through interactive assignments, real-life case studies, and peer interaction.
• The program is taught by internationally respected course leaders.
• The program provides opportunities for students to communicate and network with fellow students in forums.
• The program includes assignments (reports, essays, presentations, quizzes, group work) with deadlines structured at reasonable intervals.

• Total tuition: £4,440
• £740 per module