eCourse on Designing, Developing and Delivering Online & Blended Learning (OBL) Programmes

Background

The landscape of higher education has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, accelerated further by advances in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, learning analytics, and evolving learner expectations. Public health education, in particular, requires innovative approaches to equip learners with competencies that are relevant, accessible, scalable, and responsive to emerging public health challenges.
Online and Blended Learning (OBL) has emerged as a powerful pedagogical approach that combines the flexibility of online learning with the richness of face-to-face interactions. Well-designed OBL programmes can enhance learner engagement, improve accessibility, foster collaborative learning, and facilitate competency-based education. However, effective implementation of OBL requires faculty and institutions to develop capabilities in instructional design, digital pedagogy, technology integration, assessment design, learner engagement, quality assurance, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.
Recognizing these needs, this year-long eCourse is designed to strengthen the institutional and individual capacity for Online and Blended Learning across for faculty members, especially from the Schools of Public Health in India. The course will help to create an active community of practice consisting of faculty members, programme coordinators, instructional designers and academic support staff, enabling them to exchange experiences, learn from experts, and apply evidence-based approaches to educational design and delivery.

eCourse Vision

To develop a network of public health educators and academic professionals capable of designing, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving high-quality Online and Blended Learning programmes.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Explain key concepts, principles, and models of Online and Blended Learning (OBL)
2. Describe instructional design principles and approaches relevant to OBL
3. Understand learner-centered pedagogies and adult learning principles
4. Explain frameworks for assessment, evaluation, and quality assurance in OBL
5. Understand opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence in education

Skills

Apply evidence-based pedagogical principles and learner-centred approaches to:

1. Design learning outcomes aligned with teaching-learning activities and assessments
2. Develop online and blended course structures using instructional design frameworks
3. Create engaging digital learning materials and presentations
4. Utilize Learning Management Systems and educational technologies effectively
5. Design formative and summative assessments, including high-quality MCQs
6. Integrate learner engagement strategies in teaching

Attitudes

1. Adopt a learner-centered approach to teaching
2. Foster innovation and experimentation in educational practice

Course Duration

• Duration: 12 Months

Course Delivery Mode

The course will be delivered online and hosted on the PHFI Learning Management System (LMS).