Design Ed: Connecting Learning Science Research to Practice

Design Ed provides a foundation for the science of learning and shows how to apply design thinking strategies to drive engagement for digital age learners.

Researchers in learning sciences are pioneering instructional technologies that have the capacity to revolutionize the educational system. By combining design thinking methodology with strong theoretical frameworks in the learning sciences, educators can improve learning to help students thrive. This book lays out the intersection between theory, design and reflective practice to help educators understand individual learner differences and the impact of context upon learning. With this foundation, you’ll develop the skills you need to design powerful and effective learning experiences, particularly when using digital technologies.

Topics covered include:

• Educators as learning designers
• Shaping experiences for digital age learning through digital media and digital environments
• Design and format of educational interventions
• The role of reflective practice and evaluating the impact on student learning

Throughout the text, the authors emphasize the “why” behind the use of technology and the “how” to enact learning design for all digital age learners.

Audience: K-12 educators, curriculum specialists

Angela Elkordy, Ph.D., is chair and assistant professor, learning sciences, and program director for learning technologies at National Louis University in the Chicago area. Her writing has appeared in numerous platforms and publications, including books such as Foundation of Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials and Gamify Literacy. Her research focuses on the learning sciences, design and technology, teacher learning and instructional design.

Ayn Keneman, Ed.D., is an associate professor in the National College of Education faculty, early childhood education, at National Louis University, Chicago, where she teaches courses in early childhood education, literacy instruction, human development and technology. She is president of a special interest group of the International Literacy Association, Organization of Teacher Educators of Literacy. Keneman's research on struggling readers led to the publication of her book Literacy Leadership to Support Reading Improvement.