So, what’s in a name? Well, if you are an instructional designer at the University of Miami, plenty.
The team at the University’s Distance Learning Institute has launched a newly redesigned website – and a new name to go with it. The change has been several years in the making, and the department’s leaders say it is more significant than merely the sign on an office door.
"This is more than just a new name, it is an evolution and a renewed promise to our community of educators," said Associate Dean Rik A. Bair, who leads the institute, a part of the Division of Continuing and International Education (DCIE).
"The Digital Learning and Design Institute (DLD) reflects our comprehensive approach to online education, emphasizing both the art of instructional design and the science of effective learning," Bair added.
"Our mission is to empower educators and learners alike, transforming the digital classroom into a hub of creativity, engagement and unparalleled educational quality. Our new name is in alignment with that."
The new name also more accurately reflects the range of services the institute provides, said Johnny Orr, Jr., associate director.
While "distance learning" implies a focus only on course delivery, "digital learning and design" reflects a broader array of services that are no longer simply about bridging physical distance but creating high-quality, learner-centered experiences that leverage technology effectively, he explained.
"It suggests a comprehensive focus on both the creation of digital content and the pedagogical strategies behind effective online education," Orr said. "Our team’s goals are to develop, enhance and support robust educational content for all stakeholders at the University of Miami. We wanted our name to reflect this."
Though the institute has existed for many years, its work was especially critical during the pandemic as colleges and universities worldwide had to bring instruction online as students stayed home.
"We were founded with the mission of fostering continuous improvement in traditional, blended and online education," said Bair. "The pandemic only accelerated the need for our services and offered more opportunities for our staff to be a critical support system for University educators."
One of the hallmarks of the institute’s work during the pandemic was the "We Are One U: COVID-19 Safety Principles," a one-hour course that was completed by nearly 26,000 University of Miami students and employees in August 2020.
The training was designed to promote trust and safety at a time when official recommendations seemed to change daily, and many struggled to stay up to date with the latest protocols.
By working with the University’s president and provost, to create an engaging training experience that allowed learners to interact with the material, the institute’s staff helped disseminate the proper procedures and behaviors that kept the ‘Canes community safe, Bair said.
Now, the institute hopes to more clearly define its role in the future of digital learning innovation.
"Users can expect a partner focused on fostering new ideas, enhancing quality instruction, and creating dynamic multimedia content," said April Macadangdang, assistant director. "This clarity of mission can lead to more tailored and effective solutions for our partners and for learners, leading to an enriched educational journey."
The redesign of the website had the user experience as the key driver as well, Macadangdang added.
"Our primary goal was to ensure that faculty find it user-friendly, accessible, and intuitive," she said. "We want them to be able to quickly find the information they need, connect with our team, and find actionable content relevant to their specific needs and interests."
She noted the work of the institute’s instructional design team – senior instructional designer Hanna Fife, multimedia instructional specialist Alexa Rimart, and instructional designer Maite Saco – as instrumental in bringing the project to a successful conclusion.
"We want to acknowledge their hard work and talent," she said. "It was a team effort, and we could not have done this without their dedication and commitment."
The rebranding of the institute aligns with many emerging trends in higher education, Macadangdang said, including the growing demand for online learning, a focus on learner-centered design, and the importance of integrating and leveraging the latest technologies effectively.
The institute recently received national recognition for that work, with an instructor of American Sign Language, Kirsten Schwarz, and a senior instructional designer, Ron Rodriguez, selected by their peers for an award honoring excellence in course design and best practices in innovation and student engagement.
The rebranding comes at a time when the institute is hoping to assume a greater role in supporting the University community, Bair added.
"Our expanded name suggests a move beyond simply providing distance learning options, potentially encompassing a broader ability to provide faculty with innovative learning solutions," he said. "This is our strategic response to the evolving landscape of higher education, and it reflects the University’s commitment to excellence in digital learning and design."
Learn more about the Digital Learning and Design Institute.
