Scalability and Customization in Open edX: The Key to Future-Proof Online Learning
Open edX is the world’s leading open-source learning management system (LMS). In 2023, it was used by over 55 million learners worldwide. As institutions embrace digital learning, the need for a scalable and customizable LMS has never been greater, and Open edX provides a powerful and modular framework that enables organizations to scale their learning experiences […]
Talking Stakeholders off the Ledge: A Guide to Conversations About Accessibility
When it comes to discussing accessibility with stakeholders, there are two inevitable hurdles: convincing them it’s a worthwhile pursuit, and calming them down when they realize just how much effort that actually requires. If you’ve ever broached the topic, you’ve likely encountered one of three classic reactions: annoyance, full-blown panic, or a state of paralysis […]
Why Inclusive Learning Design Matters for Every Learner
Imagine starting an online course eager to learn, but find the content difficult to navigate, videos lack captions, and assessments rely solely on a single-timed test that doesn’t reflect your strength. Frustrating, right? For many learners, this is a daily reality. Research shows that the number of students with disabilities attending institutions of higher learning […]
The Engagement-Retention Connection
Do you know that 75% of employees say they’re more likely to stay with employers who offer upskilling opportunities? Or that 66% of college students find personalized learning extremely helpful for engagement and retention? Students and professionals worldwide are constantly seeking ways to develop their knowledge and skills, whether by building on what they already know or learning something entirely […]
Inside Learning Design: A Day in the Life of Strategists, Architects, and Designers
When people think about learning design, they often assume it’s just about making courses visually appealing or acting as a glorified quality control agent. But it’s not just about looking good—it is about making a real impact. Learning design is a complex and dynamic process that blends psychology, strategy, technology, and creativity. The professionals behind […]
Empowering Every Learner: Strategies for Creating Accessible Online Courses
The education industry has undergone remarkable transformations in recent years. The disruptions caused by the pandemic, the rapid (and often ill-prepared) shift to online education, and the meteoric rise of AI have all contributed to a more technology-focused approach to teaching and learning—for better or worse. However, one undeniably positive outcome of these changes has […]
Competency-Based Learning in Higher Education: A Backward Design Approach
Competency-based learning is becoming the approach of choice for many institutions due to the priority it places on mastery and individual progression. It is particularly well suited to programs catering to non-traditional students or for workplace development. At the heart of this pedagogical approach lies a backward design strategy, where educators and instructional designers start planning […]
Digital Transformation In Higher Education: Building a Village of Learning
In our role as trusted advisors, we often find ourselves guiding universities through the transition from traditional classrooms to expansive, enriching online communities. This digital transformation in higher education brings new opportunities and challenges, and at OES, we are here to assist in this evolution. This transformation might seem daunting, especially for faculty members who […]
AI and Accessibility: Five Tools to Enhance User Experience
The topic of artificial intelligence seems as ubiquitous as the weather in today’s ever-evolving world. The sentiment of these conversations tends to swing wildly between AI bringing about a long-awaited utopia, or the inevitable downfall of society as we know it. Regardless of these polarizing discussions, the potential of AI should not be overlooked. After […]
Custom eLearning Course Development: SME Guide for Excellence
Congratulations on your new role as a subject matter expert (SME) in developing an online course! Working on an online course can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, but if you’re new to it, you may not know what to expect. This article provides a guide to working with an instructional designer (ID) and suggests […]
Designing Learning for Homo Prospectus
Why do our learning outcomes fail to inspire students? Why do students not immediately connect with the subjects that we know to be valuable? What can we do to change this? When faculty and I have worked with design learning materials, they are often good at writing outcomes based on what a person is expected […]
How to Implement Problem Based Learning in the Classroom
Discover how to implement problem-based learning in the classroom for dynamic & engaging education. Have you ever faced a problem thinking that you would never be able to solve it as you do not have the skills or competencies to come up with a solution? Have you ever taken a course and come across content […]
Learning Design Principles (All You Need to Know)
Values that drive good online learning experiences Explore how learning design principles drive authenticity in digital education, enhancing learner engagement and experience. At OES, authenticity is fundamental to our design and development methodology. More importantly, authenticity is the key that opens the door to our employment of values that serve as a means of extending […]
The Future of Quality Learning Design: Values In = Value Out
The post-COVID era has seen more learners shift online, opting for quality blended learning journeys, and with institutions scrambling to meet these increasing demands, the need for good learning design is more crucial than ever. However, creating successful learning journeys, journeys that meet the competitive expectations of an ever-expanding online learning industry, requires more than […]
Why Authentic Learning Matters and How to Cultivate It
“Why do I need to know this?” If you’ve asked this question during a class you were taking you surely are not alone. One of the implications of education is the disconnect between what is taught in class and what learners encounter in the real world. This is where Authentic Learning comes in. Authentic Learning […]