Blog entry by dr John Speller
Overview
This course was designed to meet the language needs of non-native English-speaking researchers, who want to improve their ability to publish and present their scientific research. It was developed in collaboration with a subject matter expert, who contributed the perspective of a practicing scientific researcher, as well as scientific and editorial advice. Thanks to my experience as a proofreader, I was also able to contribute subject knowledge.
The components include the coursebook and lesson slides, as well as extensive online materials to enhance the learner experience. The project was completed using mostly Creative Commons and royalty-free sources, and published under a Creative Commons license.
Audience: Master’s and doctoral students
Responsibilities: Visual design, eLearning development, Content curation, Instructional design
Tools used: MS Word, Powerpoint, Moodle, Google Sites
Process
I began by attending discussion forums with subject-matter experts and university leadership, during which the concept of the course was introduced. I understood the goals of the decision-makers and the language needs of the target learners. A literature search confirmed that there were few suitable materials available on the market.
I took the initiative to design a rapid prototype of the first unit and a course outline. I also contacted a subject-matter expert who agreed to supervise the project as co-author. When the project received interest from colleagues and decsion-makers, I continued to develop the materials in time for the first version to be implemented when the course began.
During and after the course, I evaluated and iterated the materials in discussion with colleagues and in response to student feedback. The materials were also reviewed externally and final modifications were implemented before publication.
Cooperation with SME | ADDIE | Rapid prototyping