About Instructional Design and Educational Technology
The Instructional Design and Educational Technology (ID) team supports high-quality teaching, training, continuing education, and professional development through the integration of instructional strategies and emerging technologies. With expertise in curriculum design, digital tools, and adult learning theories, the team collaborates with clients, faculty, staff, and subject matter experts to develop engaging, accessible, and outcomes-driven in-person, hybrid, online, and asynchronous learning experiences for diverse audiences. This work is bolstered by the team’s state-of-the-art digital production studios located on Temple University’s Main Campus and Harrisburg Campus. Whether the team is developing fully online degree and certificate programs for the University or training content for businesses, non-profits, and government agencies, courses are designed to meet client standards for rigor, instructional integrity, and accessibility.
Signature Services
- Credit and Noncredit Course and Training Development (In-person and Online): This team works with faculty, staff, students, subject matter experts, and clients to develop highly integrated online and hybrid courses, to transform traditionally in-person courses into a more engaging, multimodal, and accessible online formats, and to create engaging, hands-on in-person learning and training courses.
- Asynchronous Online Course and Interactive Model Development: This team utilizes e-learning development software to create flexible, highly interactive asynchronous e-learning courses or “modules”. Key features that foster engagement and better learning outcomes include illustrations, in-course knowledge checks, and complex branching pathways to play out specific training scenarios to understand the real-life application of course content in the field.
- Video Services: The team’s digital production studios are fully equipped with wall-to-wall green screen backgrounds, 4K cameras, teleprompters, LED lights, soundproof walls, microphones, mixing boards, e-learning module software, and the ability to film off-site to create and record compelling multi-media learning products.
Instructional Design and Educational Technology Impact in FY25
43 courses and instructional videos built
108 educational products developed
Collaborated with 10 clients or partners to develop custom training and education products
CEPD in Action
The New Dimension of Learning
Unity, a powerful game engine primarily used for video game development, is increasingly adopted for advanced training simulations and virtual learning environments. This approach provides unique benefits to learners and organizations by creating immersive, interactive, and visually rich learning and training experiences. As a unit dedicated to innovative and impactful instructional design, CEPD leverages technology like Unity to develop e-learning content. In FY25, the State of Georgia’s Division on Aging, Adult Protective Services, and Adult Guardianship Program contracted CEPD to create a series of 3D virtual training modules to onboard new staff. These modules harness the power of Unity to replicate real-world protective service scenarios in a 3D environment. By incorporating gamification, learners complete learning objectives while engaging in the scenarios from a first-person perspective. This highly immersive learning environment will equip APS workers with the skills and knowledge needed to handle real-world situations effectively in the field. In APS, where prompt, decisive, and appropriate action is often necessary to protect vulnerable adults, this kind of training isn’t just innovative—it’s lifesaving.
Immersive Learning for the Modern Workforce
The National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC), a federal agency responsible for providing education and practice-based support to adult protective services professionals, collaborated with CEPD to develop an interactive training module on neurocognitive disorders. This module, created using Articulate Storyline, an award-winning e-learning software, and employing a dynamic, decision-driven branching scenario approach, transforms traditional learning into an engaging, life-like experience. Participants actively navigate real-life APS scenarios, making critical decisions that influence outcomes, and receive personalized feedback, fostering deep understanding and skill development. The power of branching scenarios lies in their ability to immerse learners in authentic situations, enhancing engagement, sharpening critical thinking, and ensuring lasting retention. Once launched, this training initiative will be available across the nation, elevating the expertise and preparedness of APS professionals everywhere.