Instructions for Participants of the e-Course Developing Digital Teaching Content

This topic focuses on the effective integration of digital teaching content into specific learning and teaching activities, and the evaluation of user interface quality. Participants explore how to structure and schedule content within an LMS and how to analyse its usability and user experience from the student’s perspective.

Unit 1: Planning and Integrating Digital Teaching Content into Learning and Teaching Activities

Theoretical Component
In this unit, participants become familiar with a pedagogically grounded approach to integrating digital content into the teaching process. It is emphasised that high-quality instruction does not depend merely on the presence of digital tools, but on their purposeful use to support learning outcomes, enhance engagement, and accommodate student needs.

A key instrument in this process is Balanced Design Planning (BDP), which enables teachers to connect learning outcomes, activities, instructional modalities, and technology. BDP structures instructional design according to clearly defined criteria, including the type of activity, mode of work, level of instructor presence, delivery modality, student workload, assessment methods, and feedback mechanisms. Participants learn how to plan when, where, and how digital content should be used (before, during, or after class; online, face-to-face, or hybrid; individually or collaboratively) and how to implement these plans within an LMS such as Moodle. The theoretical component also highlights the importance of constructive alignment and the transition from learning design to actual implementation through specific resources and activities in the virtual environment.

Practical Component
The practical part of this unit focuses on designing and planning the implementation of digital teaching content in the teaching process. In the introductory discussion, participants exchange experiences regarding when, how, and for what purpose they use digital content (before, during, or after instruction) and discuss its effectiveness in relation to learning outcomes, student level, and teaching context. The central activity involves planning a teaching topic from their own course using the Balanced Design Planning tool. The final step includes exporting the designed topic from BDP into Moodle, enabling the practical implementation of the planned design in the digital environment.

Unit 2: User Interface Evaluation

Theoretical Component
In this unit, participants are introduced to the fundamentals of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design as key components of successful digital education. The key elements of evaluation are presented, including content structure and organisation, visual design, navigation, accessibility, clarity of communication, interactivity level, and technical performance. Participants learn various methods for evaluating UI and UX and reflect on the importance of continuously gathering feedback as a tool for improving content quality.

Practical Component
The practical part of this unit focuses on analysing and enhancing the user experience of digital teaching content. Activities begin with a discussion in which participants exchange experiences related to design, clarity, navigation, and organisation of digital teaching materials, reflecting on their impact on student engagement and comprehension. This is followed by a self-evaluation of their own digital content (e.g., lesson, quiz, video), in which participants apply UI/UX criteria to identify strengths and areas for improvement. In the final activity, participants prepare a plan for evaluating the student user experience with the digital topic created in the previous unit. The plan includes selecting and designing methods for gathering feedback and implementing them in the LMS.

Technical Information About the System Used for the e-Course

This e-course is implemented in Loomen, a platform based on the open-source Moodle system. The course homepage is organised in accordance with the course structure, with links leading to activities and resources aligned with the course design.

The e-course can be accessed from a desktop computer connected to the internet, a smartphone, or a tablet.

The course opens correctly in all major web browsers (Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Edge, etc.). It is also accessible through a mobile app, although the app does not always function optimally.

Navigation through the course is facilitated by the left-side menu, while the right-side panel provides access to upcoming activities, highlighted announcements, and progress tracking.

Loomen is intuitive to use, and in case of difficulties, participants should contact the instructor.

Minimum Technical Requirements for Attending the e-Course

Types of content in the e-course:

• Educational multimedia (primarily text-based) materials such as lessons and pages are available directly within Loomen and can be opened in a web browser. All materials can also be downloaded in PDF format. For this reason, users need a PDF reader, unless using browsers like Firefox or Chrome, which can open PDF files natively.

• Video lessons are hosted on CARNET’s Meduza multimedia portal and integrated into Loomen pages, allowing viewing without leaving the system. A minimum internet connection of 2 Mbit/s is required, along with speakers or headphones.

• Assessment activities in the e-course are supported by Loomen’s built-in functionalities. No additional technical requirements are needed. Quizzes open entirely in the web browser and require no extra software.