LSDD Program of Study

The Learning Systems Design & Development (LSDD) focus area prepares you to plan and create learning and performance support resources.

For example, one of our recent graduates now works for the Federal Reserve system. He designs and develops online learning environments for the banking industry. One of our current students plans to work creating digital materials for young children.

The LSDD Program of Study (PoS) is available ONLINE and several courses are offered every semester, enabling you to complete your degree (and get on with your career!) in a timely manner.

Your Program of Study (PoS) will include coursework in three categories:

  • Core (6 Credit Hours)
  • Design (12 Credit Hours)
  • Development (12 Credit Hours)

The table below lists currently available courses in each category, but additional courses are created and offered on a regular basis.

Core Courses (6 credit hours)

  • 9474 Needs Assessment for Instructional Design
  • 9455 Formative and Summative Evaluation

Design Courses (12 credit hours)

  • 9456 Designing Computer Support for Collaborative Learning
  • 9478 Designing Problem-Based Learning Environments
  • 9457 Designing Computer Support for Cooperative Work
  • 9469 Designing Electronic Performance Support Systems
  • 9471 Instructional Systems Design
  • 9478 Designing Problem-Based Learning *
  • 9410 Designing Online Courses
  • (other approved design courses)

Development Courses (12 credit hours)

  • 7370 Intermediate Web Development
  • 7357 Web Application Development I
  • 7358 Web Application Development II
  • 7364 Macromedia Flash Authoring
  • (other approved development courses)

* Offered On-Campus Only

LSDD Advising Aid

LSDD Sample Portfolio

NOTE: A “customized” PoS is sometimes an option. Contact our Student Coordinator for more information.

LSDD Requirements 

The Learning Systems Design & Development (LSDD) program of study consists of 30 graduate credit hours. The courses in your program of study will help you master the program competencies.

LSDD Competencies

The Learning Systems Design & Development competencies can be demonstrated in several ways. The examples below are just that – examples. Students work with their advisors to determine how their learning is demonstrated.

  1. Conducting needs assessment and evaluating learning systems.
  2. Designing learning environments, including systems for direct instruction, constructivist learning, collaborative work, and performance support.
  3. Developing learning systems applications or components of applications.

Assessment

As an LSDD student you will submit a portfolio of products and the work processes undertaken to complete the products that demonstrates your mastery of the LSDD competencies. Ideally, your products and process artifacts are added to your portfolio as the work is completed, rather than waiting until the last minute.

While each portfolio is as unique as the individuals in the LSDD focus area, all share the following elements:

  1. Professional resume.
  2. Your Program of Study.
  3. Description of the competencies including a reflection about your level of achievement of each competency.
  4. Products and artifacts that demonstrate mastery of the competencies, including reflection statements explaining what you have learned from the work and how the products and artifacts demonstrate your achievement of the associated competency. Also, include a description of your role(s) in group-generated products and artifacts.
  5. Evaluative information regarding the quality of the products.
  6. A statement that represents your understanding of Learning Systems Design & Development and your expectations for how you will use your competencies and talents in a professional context.

Portfolio Details

A portfolio is a web site consisting of products and artifacts demonstrating mastery of the LSDD focus area competencies. There may be a few elements that are not actually included in the web site (e.g., video clips of needs assessment interviews; a network solution you designed), but there is some representation of these products (e.g., a slide show about the interviews; blue prints or design documents for the network). Larger documents can be included as PDF files.

Creating the portfolio is just like creating any other product: design it, build it, test it, revise it. Periodically, you will probably add something to the portfolio. If you choose to build a web site and you don't have easy access to a server to host your portfolio web site, an account will be provided for you on a university server.

Your portfolio will be reviewed by three faculty (your assigned advisor and two others) and you may be asked to present your portfolio as part of the assessment process. The portfolio must be available for faculty review two weeks prior to the presentation.

Portfolio Evaluation

The review process asks two basic questions:

  1. Does the portfolio demonstrate mastery of the competencies?
  2. Does the portfolio present the student in a positive and professional manner?

If the portfolio content or presentation is found to be lacking, the student is given the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments (e.g., add elements to the portfolio, enhance the presentation, enhance the products). Depending on the timing of these reviews and the level of adjustment needed, this may mean that a student must wait until the following semester to graduate.

Visit the Portfolio Library for sample LSDD portfolios.

After Portfolio Approval

Provided you have completed all the coursework listed in your official Program of Study (M1), you are ready for graduation!