Finding Junctures in Learning Design and Entrepreneurship: A Case of Experiential Learning in Online Education

Abstract

This design case focuses on an online learning experience for graduate students in a newly created online master of learning technologies at a large public university in the United States. It showcases how learner-centered design and innovative and entrepreneurial thinking may be incorporated into graduate education. Specifically, the design case discusses “Applied Learning Design, " an online graduate course that evolved into a comprehensive online learning experience. The case arises out of the fact that many programs in higher education are focused more on the transmission and replication of knowledge than on providing opportunities for learning in real-world application contexts. This chapter includes the inspiration behind the course design and the problems addressed with the design case, a design philosophy, and a detailed description of the case including context, participants’ profiles, and key design decisions. An analysis of the initial ideas, design team projects grounded on real-world educational problems, course content and evaluation, impact of design decisions, and difficulties encountered during the design case’s enactment completes the examination of the design effort and outcomes.