Paige Popham

Seven Things Report

Developments in technology have led to the use of flipped classrooms, makerspaces,
and competency-based learning (ONeill, 2015, p. 1) changing the realm of instructional design
in the classroom over the last several years. New science of learning and other developments has
also contributed to shifts observed in todays classrooms. Some schools have brought on specific
staff to assist with the transition to new instructional designs. Instructional designers help
teachers create new activities and lesson material that better represent the changing classroom
environment and the push for more active learning for students. Though changes are taking
place, instructional design still strives to develop instructional strategies that target specific
learning goals in measureable ways (ONeill, 2015, p. 1). Designers work to create tools for
learning that support the push for student-centered learning, using new technologies as they
become available. Though the use of instructional designers raises costs for schools, the skills
offered by instructional designers are priceless when it comes to developing tools that will meet
the individual needs of diverse groups of students. Instructional designers have the ability to
assist teachers in creating curricular activities that utilize new technology, incorporating studentcentered learning and bringing many content areas together in a single lesson.
The next generation digital learning environment (NGDLE) is an all-encompassing
digital system designed to facilitate learning according to course objectives and the needs of
individual students. The NGDLE would need to be collaborative, universally designed for
accessibility, include course-level expectations, and must have the ability to be personalized in
order to meet individual students learning needs. In order for the NGDLE to be successful, a
large variety of institutions must implement changes associated with developing the NGDLE.
Because of the need for high levels of participation, implementing the NGDLE described here
would be difficult in a single classroom. However, similar environments could be created
through the use of classroom webpages that incorporate a variety of tools to enhance students
learning. Overall, the NGDLE is not only a learning tool, but a mindset that brings together
learning across all disciplines and allows for individualized participation for students.

References
ONeill, E. (2015). 7 Things you should know about instructional design. EDUCAUSE Learning
Initiative. Retrieved from https://library.educause.edu/resources/2015/5/7-things-youshould-know-about-developments-in-instructional-design
(2015). 7 Things you should know about NGDLE. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. Retrieved
from https://library.educause.edu/resources/2015/12/7-things-you-should-know-aboutngdle