The Programmatic Learning Environment Prototype

Abstract

Inspired by our own students’ needs, and Educause’s vision for a Next Generation Learning Environment, our team at ESC has been rethinking online learning spaces. Currently available LMSs use courses as the primary units of delivery and reinforce credit accrual for degree completion. Yet a degree program is so much more than the accumulation of credit: it involves social exchanges, integrated learning across courses, and interactive activities. We have been working on a prototype for a programmatic, rather than a course based, digital learning environment that supports online students as they progress through their entire program of study. It is designed to enrich the learning experience by enhancing interactive exchanges and program cohesion. To meet these goals, we used an iterative user-centered design process to guide our design decisions. During 2017-18, we will test the prototype with a cohort of graduate students, and document user experience.