The world of education (both in the K-12 classroom and in corporate settings) is changing rapidly. New technology tools are emerging seemingly every day, each promising to bolster some aspect of student learning or educator practice.
The landscape is changing rapidly, and there are excellent opportunities right now to help craft the future of education through learning design and technology.
If you’re passionate about meeting the next generation of graduates (or employees) where they are with appropriate technology solutions and effective learning design, then further studies in learning design and technology could be a great next step for you.
What Is Learning Design and Technology?
Learning design and technology is an emerging specialization within education. Programs focused on learning design and technology equip current teaching professionals (who already hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree) with the tools they need to create modern educational content and learning experiences that are both engaging for the learner and intuitive in their use.
The content created and planned by instructional designers with training in learning design and technology makes use of the latest digital tools. This supports the educational needs of all kinds of learners with instructional content in whatever form they want to receive it.
There is a heavy focus on education technology within learning design and technology programs as well as an emphasis on the skills that are important to instructional designers.
Learning design and technology extend beyond the K-12 classroom. It’s also a relevant skill area for corporate training and even in the building of educational games and technology-based support materials.
What Can You Do with a Learning Design and Technology Certificate?
The learning design and technology certificate from Post University is designed with the professional educator in mind. The program will equip you to better develop, design, and deliver digitally oriented learning experiences for learners at all levels.
Within the field of instructional design and educational technology, all sorts of educational efforts can be enhanced by the tools you’ll learn in this program. You’ll better be able to establish a learning-friendly environment no matter where your students are or how they’re receiving content.
You’ll also learn best practices for implementing new and emerging educational technology. And you’ll gain expertise in the pedagogical approaches to use when developing those tools.
In summary, a graduate certificate in learning design and technology equips educators with tools to improve their approach as instructional designers and their implementation and understanding of education technology programs so they can better meet the needs of learners at any level.
What Is the Job Outlook for this Field?
The job outlook for this field is excellent. The interweaving of educational instruction and technology is unstoppable and always evolving. And, as you may know from personal experience, there are plenty in the education system who are falling behind in this area of teaching expertise.
Certificate earners in the K-12 arena should already be credentialed as teachers, meaning their job outlook is as wide as ever. The difference is that, armed with this certificate, you’ll have something many of your peers do not. The certificate could open doors of advancement and opportunity within your school or district if you desire to move into a program designer or instructional design specialist role.
Outside the K-12 educational system, there are many other potential jobs for certificate holders, including:
- Performance assessment manager
- Training director (for midsize and larger businesses)
- Learning strategist
- Director of distance learning
- Director of education (for museums, tutoring centers, after-school programs, etc.)
- Manager of education programs (in a healthcare setting)
Bottom line? Job prospects for those with training in this important arena are varied, but the outlook is strong.
What Will You Learn in a Learning Design Program?
When you join Post’s all-online learning design and technology graduate certificate program, you’ll dive into an accelerated 10-month program that includes 15 credit hours of graduate study in these critical courses:
EDU 623 Designing Learning Environments
Based on the ADDIE design model, you’ll cover both the theory and practice of designing learning experiences and events.
EDU 624 E-Learning Design for Diverse Learning Environments
Diverse and global learners face unique challenges to e-learning. Learn how to structure e-learning content in multiple modes, including best practices of multimedia inclusion.
EDU 625 Integrating Technology into Learning
Learn about specific learning technologies and discover the various ways technology can be incorporated into learning and dive into key research for both online and in-person use of technology in learning.
EDU 626 Analysis of Learning Design
Analyze real-world case studies and propose research-based solutions through design theory and principles.
EDU 627 Managing Instruction & Technology
An introduction to planning, assessing, budgeting, and evaluating instruction and technology in a wide range of educational settings.
Your Next Step: Post’s Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Technology
Wherever you are in your career as an educator or corporate professional, Post University’s Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Technology could be an ideal next step in your personal and professional development.
Our program is designed for the working professional: We understand you can’t put your life on hold for months or years and, with Post, you don’t have to. Apply your learning in real time as you continue working while progressing through the program. Our professional faculty will be with you the entire time as well.
Learn more. Request more info today.
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Please note jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s program and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions representative.