2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
DESN5155M Information and Instructional Design
15 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr Maria Lonsdale
Email: m.lonsdale@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2019/20
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module introduces and explores theories and principles of Information Design and Instructional Design, and discusses how they overlap and complement each other, and when used together create the most effective, usable and understandable human-centred design solutions. Information Design helps people to access, understand and use information. Instructional Design helps people to learn, understand and apply information. Information Design benefits from Instructional Design when the concern is to understand, act upon and/or retain information. Instructional Design benefits from Information Design if the concern is information organisation, aesthetics and navigation.Some examples of design outputs that clearly involve both information and instructional design are: apps, questionnaires and forms, medicine leaflets, patient information, product manuals, utility bills, textbooks, online subscriptions, transport routes and journey plans, etc.Students will respond to a set brief in order to put the above theories and principles into practice. They will produce a reflective report to document their research and design process. Students will also conduct usability tests to ascertain the applicability of their design solution to real-life contexts and with real users.Students will be given a choice of 2 briefs: one brief will focus more on Information Design (e.g. motion graphics, infographics, wayfinding, online information, etc.) and another brief will focus more on Instructional Design (e.g. textbooks, product instructions, etc.).Objectives
This module gives students the opportunity to:- Learn theoretical and practical perspectives regarding Information and Instructional Design.
- Explore the inter-disciplinary nature of Information and Instructional Design in a variety of contexts – healthcare, education, business, public sector, etc.
- Address the specific needs and motivations of Information and Instructional Design users by developing creative and effective design solutions.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Analyse and interpret current challenges, theories and principles of Information and Instructional Design in order to define a problem or need.
2. Access and critically analyse literature, and select appropriate research methods for the successful development of a design project.
3. Design and develop effective and visually stimulating design solutions in response to a specific problem or need and in relation to real-life settings.
4. Contribute to the implementation and execution of a project to a professional and commercial standard.
5. Take a proactive role in working with others and contribute to the planning and execution of group work.
Skills outcomes
User-centred research and design
Syllabus
This module will deliver a combination of lectures and practical sessions. Lectures will engage students with the theory, research and professional approaches to Information and Instructional Design. The lecture content will be built around (and inform) each stage of the research and design process by: 1) Identifying the need for information and instructional design; 2) Reviewing Information and instructional design principles and theories; 3) Discussing how to test the information and instructional message; 4) Analysing Information and Instructional design in practice through case studies. Practicals will give students the opportunity to put their knowledge and theory into practice by planning, designing, developing and evaluating their creative project, as well as their research. Usability testing will give students the opportunity to assess and improve their project in real-life settings with suitable users
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Seminar | 17 | 1.00 | 17.00 |
Private study hours | 128.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 |
Private study
In order to gain confidence to develop and articulate their own ideas, students will engage in private study.Each lecture is supported by material that is available on the Blackboard VLE. This material provides links to appropriate journal papers, books, videos and websites. Digital copies of the lectures will be also available on the VLE so that students can follow up in a systematic and structured manner.
Students will bring and discuss their ideas to the lectures, allowing them to gain confidence in their own critical thinking. Students will also be asked to find and provide design examples to show their understanding of the theoretical content addressed in the lecture.
• Literature search and reading: 30 hours
• Independent research and preparation: 40 hours
• Preparation and evaluation of assessed outcomes (including usability testing) - 58 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress will be monitored through:- Regular attendance at lectures and practicals (absences dealt with through the normal School channels).
- Participation in practicals.
- Regular feedback given in practicals.
- Interim feedback around week 21: formative presentation.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Project | Creative Design Project | 70.00 |
Report | Reflective report (1,000-1,250 words) | 30.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 |
The re-sit will be an individual creative design project and a 1,000 to 1,250 words project report.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 30/05/2019
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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