Instructional Design/Program Development

The Design and Effectiveness of Online Collaborative Work

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Tania Pacheco, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Talent Development program.

Online learning has become a commonplace method of instruction due, in part, with the onset of the pandemic. This article examines how online collaborative learning is designed for the higher education environment and how specific design choices influence its effectiveness. Using a survey of online learners, the study invited students to share their experiences with the design of online group work in relation to group size, formation methods, collaboration type, and duration, along with their relationship to teaching and social presence. Results showed that collaborative work predominately occurs within small, randomly assigned groups focused on discussions, assignments, or peer reviews for varying lengths of time. While many students perceived online collaborative work as beneficial for learning and engagement, others reported neutral or mixed experiences due to coordination and participation challenges. Higher levels of social and teaching presence were associated with allowing students to self-select their groups and incorporating peer review activities. Overall, the study emphasizes that online learners value being able to provide input into the process of collaborative work in their online courses and that this purposeful, learner-centered design is critical for effective online collaborative work.

This article is an excellent resource for trainers, higher education instructors, and instructional designers that are responsible for creating online learning environments and wish to foster a positive e-learning experience. Effective instructional methods in online education differ from methods that are effective in other learning environments due to the lack of personal connection and face-to-face interaction. The study’s findings suggest that an instructor’s level of understanding of their student’s needs and how the instructional strategy being used relates to various learners’ requirements, enabling them to develop more effective learning experiences. Using the results of the study as a structural framework for integrating collaborative activities in an online environment would serve as a beneficial tool to inspire active participant engagement and to generate consistent feedback for future improvements to the learning experience.

Reference:

Oyarzun, B., Kim, S., Maxwell, D. et al. (2025). The design and effectiveness of online collaborative work. Journal of Computing in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-025-09472-2

COI Framework Shift to Self-Organized Discovery

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Rachel Dobrich Ruffetti, a graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, working towards the Talent Development Certificate.

The article, “A Distributed Perspective to the Community-of-Inquiry Framework for Distance Education” by Piera Biccard (2025), revises the original Community-of-Inquiry (COI) framework by strengthening its underlying structure. The original framework includes teaching, social, and cognitive presence, which support well-organized online discussions, meaningful connections among online learners, and critical thinking in digital environments. Biccard emphasizes the importance of incorporating learners more directly into this model. The author advocates for a distributed approach to learning, where responsibility is shared across people, content, and tools through intentional technology integration. Students should transition from passive recipients to active contributors, bringing their unique skills and knowledge to the developing learning community. Technological tools play a critical role in this shift, fostering self-organized discovery and deeper engagement in online settings.  

This peer-reviewed study offers valuable insight for course designers and instructors aiming to enhance online learning environments. Biccard (2025) effectively integrates literature and research to expand the original COI model, illustrating how digital tools can promote learner autonomy, collaboration, and engagement. By emphasizing distributed teaching and learner agency, the article shifts technology from a supplemental to a core feature of intentional design. Instructors can leverage the interaction among participants, content, and tools to cultivate meaningful teaching, social, and cognitive presences. This resource will help educators create robust, student-centered learning experiences that encourage students to interact, share knowledge, and listen to other perspectives.

Reference  

Biccard, P. (2025). A distributed perspective to the community-of-inquiry framework for distance education. Open Learning, 40(2), 136–151. https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.stfrancis.edu/linkprocessor/plink?id=938137ea-9c73-35c0-a977-a1c602b4d145  

Power of AI for Teachers

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This post is provided to you by guest blogger, Adam Gurke, graduate student at University of St. Francis, Learning and Development Manager certificate student.

The article discusses how AI needs to be used in classrooms for teachers and students to prepare students for careers in the future. AI in classrooms is increasing for students, but also teachers. Currently, there are many AI tools geared towards teachers to support students and their learning. “If we want our students to be ready for their future careers, we must start teaching them about AI” (Poth, 2025). This source provides different AI tools for schools to use with their students such as SchoolAI, MagicSchool AI, and Eduaide to name a few. 

This source can be utilized by educators and school districts to learn about the various options for AI in education. AI helps teachers with elearning and lesson planning for teachers. This source provides examples for using AI in the classroom and the benefits for AI for students and teachers. This source also provides information for meeting the needs of all learners including language language learners.

References

Poth, R. D. (2025, June 10). AI resources for teachers. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/ai-resources-teachers?utm_source

Building Better eLearning: Management and Support Strategies That Work

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie Lawrence, graduate student at the University of St. Francis, MS in Talent Development program.

In the article, Supporting e-learning in the workplace: A framework for practice, Chyung and Kickul (2023) lay out a comprehensive plan for managing eLearning in the workplace. They explain how successful programs go beyond just delivering content, they require thoughtful planning, leadership support, and tools that keep learners engaged and supported. Their framework stresses learner-centered design, hands-on help when needed, and ongoing evaluation to make sure training stays relevant and effective over time. Continuous improvement is critical for aligning training with business goals.

This article does a great job making connections between strategy and what actually helps people learn. Chyung and Kickul (2023) combine research with real-world examples, enabling application. One thing that could improve the article is a bit more focus on change management, especially when teams are new to eLearning. The shift from traditional learning to eLearning can be difficult for some audiences. Still, this article is valuable for talent development professionals and training teams who are working on larger digital learning efforts.

Categories: Instructional Design, Adult Education, E-learning

Reference:

Chyung, S. Y., & Kickul, J. (2023). Supporting e-learning in the workplace: A framework for practice. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 36(2), 137–153. https://doi.org/10.1002/piq.21486

Top eLearning trends for 2026

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Nancy Herrera, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Talent Development program.

eLearning is essential in education and professional environments. In a recent article, Sharma (2025) outlines eLearning trends for 2026. They include intelligent technology, security, and collaboration. The first discusses using AI for personalization while increasing engagement. It is used by most enterprises and so is microlearning. Microlearning is credited for its short yet effective impact. Blockchain and crypto tokenization are providing security and credential verification. A holistic approach to marketing can build trust by building a balance between profits ethical obligations. Communal learning programs boost engagement. Learning in the flow of work is common practice in most corporations.

The website where the article was published is a self-proclaimed leading source for industry specific training and development content. Sharma is a managing partner of Tecuy Media and leads LinksFrog. He is a reliable source as he is considered a Level 5 Legend. The information can be useful when wanting to keep updated with any current technologies. Educators, Human Resources professionals, Talent Development representatives and enterprises would be interested in this information. In these roles knowing what technologies can be the most relevant, useful, and efficient is key.

Reference:

Sharma, O. (2025, September 20). Top eLearning trends in 2026: How new innovations are shaping education. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/top-elearning-trends-how-new-innovations-are-shaping-education

Measuring What Matters

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie Lawrence, graduate student at the University of St. Francis, MS in Talent Development program.


In the article, Reimagining assessment in online learning: A framework for student success, Ng and Hussain (2022) discuss how digital learning environments necessitate a change in assessment practices to effectively evaluate student outcomes. The authors present a case against traditional assessment models; they are lacking in the virtual setting. They also introduce a student- centered framework that places importance on formative feedback, reflective practice, and authentic assessment tasks. The article provides evidence showing that when assessments are aligned with learning goals and actively engage students, they achieve deeper learning and improve course completion rates.


This article offers a timely and practical approach to improving assessments in eLearning. Since COVID- 19, online learning has greatly expanded. Ng and Hussain (2022) are able to take theory and connect it with real- world application. One limitation is that the authors’ research focuses mainly on higher education. K-12 and corporate eLearning environments will require adjustments. However, the article’s emphasis on continuous feedback and authentic learning are critical aspects of the learning process across contexts.

Categories: Assessment & Evaluation, E-learning, Instructional Design/Program Development, Online Learning

Reference:
Ng, D., & Hussain, I. (2022). Reimagining assessment in online learning: A framework for student success. Online Learning Journal, 26(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v26i1.2982

Creating Effective E-learning Programs by Analyzing Current Data

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Creating Effective E-learning Programs by Analyzing Current Data

This post is provided by guest blogger, Gerald Edwards Jr., graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

As more organizations turn to e-leaning as the preferred educational and training modality, the need to accurately measure participant outcomes is imperative. The success of e-learning programs is dependent on the ability of decision makers to gauge success and failure in order to change and improve the implementation of emerging technologies and delivery systems. There are currently limited metrics on e-learning outcomes. This is due to the lack of congruity across assessment criteria, measuring standards, and digital learning content. Assessment of e-learning programs is needed to accurately determine the effectiveness of e-learning environments in order to assess the most effective e-leaning teaching tools and methods.

The article “impact of online learning on student’s performance and engagement: a systematic review” by Akpen, Asaolu, Atobatele, Okagbue, and Sampson (2024), evaluates the current research on the effects of e-learning on student outcomes. The research review examines 18 in-depth studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). An analysis showed varied academic outcomes from learning in the online environment. Some studies showed improved student performance due to the flexibility and accessibility of the e-learning environment. While other studies highlighted the challenges of the e-learning environment including isolation and lack of interactions with instructors and peers. The effectiveness of e-learning was also shown to be affected by things like the quality of the digital tools, the accessibility and reliability of the internet connections, and participant’s motivation to stay engaged in e-leaning programs. Recognizing and addressing these issues can improve the overall e-learning experience, thereby positively affecting the student outcomes. This information is useful program designers, trainers, and educators responsible for the e-learning experience and informational content.

Categories: Assessment & Evaluation, Instructional Design/Program Development, Online Learning

Reference:

Akpen, C.N., Asaolu, S., Atobatele, S., Okagbue, H., & Sampson, S. (2024). Impact of online learning on student’s performance and engagement: a systematic review. Discover Education, 3.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00253-0

Designing E-Learning

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie DeFrancesco, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Talent Development Program. 

As e-learning becomes more popular, educators are realizing that it is important to be able to prepare more in-depth programs and be able to create a class that is precise and successful to help the student learn using instructional design. In the recent blog by an E-Learning Specialist, they dive into the skills that teachers should be able to obtain to create a successful e-learning class. Such as achievable objectives, organized materials, up to date technology skills and creativity. Also discussed is the ADDIE model, which is used in many different instructional design processes for e-learning. 

I recommend this blog for anyone who has to create or design an e-learning platform for students to use. The summary of the skills the instructor should use with explanation are extremely helpful to be able to plan a e-learning class. I also believe that the different phases of ADDIE would be helpful to follow when designing models and objectives. Instructional design is one of the most important parts of e-learning, and the blog breaks down how to create and utilize e-learning in education. 

Category: Instructional Design/ E-Learning

The importance of instructional design for e-learning education: CAE. CAE Computer Aided E-learning. (2023, November 28). https://www.cae.net/why-is-instructional-design-important-for-e-learning-education/ 

Innovative Instructional Design Strategies for Effective eLearning

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This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie Lawrence, graduate student at University of St. Francis, MS in Talent Development program.

The article, Top instructional design strategies for effective eLearning highlights ten strategies to enhance eLearning experiences. These include microlearning, gamification, blended learning, and spaced learning. Other strategies outlined are the use of scenarios for practical application, learning personalization, and utilizing social learning for collaborative knowledge building. The article encouraged selecting strategies that align with learner needs and the subject matter. Conducting a needs analysis, leveraging existing content, reducing mental processing for the learners, and asking for feedback were additional suggestions given for making learning more meaningful (ELM Learning, 2025). ​

This source is reliable and provides instructional design strategies that align with current eLearning trends. It is useful for instructional designers and other learning professionals looking to enhance eLearning experiences. The strategies presented are best practices in increasing learner engagement and retention. However, the article is written as more of an introduction to instructional design strategies rather than an in depth look at their strategic use. The article could be followed up with a deeper examination of the effective use of each strategy as well as potential learning scenarios matched with appropriate strategies.

Reference

ELM Learning. (2023, March 7). Top instructional design strategies for effective eLearning. https://elmlearning.com/blog/instructional-design-strategies/

The Incorporation of Gamification into Instructional Design Strategies

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The Incorporation of Gamification into Instructional Design Strategies

This post is provided by guest blogger, Gerald Edwards Jr., graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

The emergence of e-learning tools is enhancing the training practitioner’s approach to instructional design (ID) and the implementation of effective teaching strategies in training and educational program construction. As technologies evolve the approach to the use of these technological tools also needs to evolve. There are several newer technologies that can be applied to the online, e-learning environment. These tools should be considered for use as part of functional teaching strategies and incorporated into the instructional design process. One of these e-learning technologies is gamification.

The article “Integrating gamification and instructional design to enhance usability of online learning”, Ghai & Tandon (2023), explores research into the idea of using the instructional design process as a method to tailor gamification, as an e-learning tool, to specific educational and training environments. By using parameters that are established for a particular learning proposal, as part of the instructional design process, gamification becomes a useful part of effective teaching strategies. Leaning outcomes, using a restrained, purposeful approach to the implementation of gamification as a teaching tool, have exhibited a positive correlation when this technology is incorporated into a training program’s teaching methodologies. This information is directed towards educators and instructional designers with the premise of encouraging them to use gamification as an effective information delivery tool.

Category: E-Learning, Gaming, Instructional Design/Program Development, Teaching Strategies

Reference:

Ghai, A. & Tandon, U. (2023). Integrating gamification and instructional design to enhance usability of online learning. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 2187-2206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11202-5