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The Forum on the Future of Public Education

The Forum on the Future of Public Education strives to bring the best empirical evidence to policymakers and the public.

The Forum draws on a network of premier scholars to create, interpret, and disseminate credible information on key questions facing P-20 education. The Forum pursues original research and facilitates collaboration between researchers and policymakers to examine the pressing issues shaping the future of public education. Key constituencies of the Forum include scholars who influence research, policy and practice; policy makers and policy making bodies at all levels; members of the media who influence public opinion; foundations, organizations, business groups and others who support, criticize and advocate for reform; and citizens who make choices about education for themselves and their children.

America is witnessing a drastic redefinition of the policies and practices associated with “public education.” Too often, discussions around the future of public education are strong on passion but short on actual evidence. The Forum for the Future of Public Education is filing that gap by building a resource of objective, research-based insights on key educational issues. We are establishing an open venue- a true public forum to debate controversial and consequential policy issues that will shape American’s future.

College of Education launches new online instructional design certificate

Mar 21, 2018, 10:40 by the College of Education at Illinois
Learners can become an instructional designer by taking a four-month MasterTrack™ Certificate training program offered on the Coursera platform by the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

College of Education launches new online instructional design certificateLearners can become an instructional designer by taking a four-month MasterTrack™ Certificate training program offered on the Coursera platform by the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Instructional Design MasterTrack™ Certificate, which consists of a Training System Design course and a Learning Technologies course, costs $2,316 and launches on October 22, 2018, although students who are admitted into the program can access the self-paced content at any time.

“This is a great way for learners—even those with no prior experience in instructional design—to gain the type of in-demand skills they need to launch or enhance a successful instructional design career,” says Denice Ward Hood, a teaching associate professor and the director of online programs at the College of Education at the University of Illinois. “Instructional design is a growing field, and this online program is a perfect entryway into the marketplace.”

People who take the two courses will learn to solve real-world educational challenges and integrate technology with today’s learning environments.

“They will learn strategies for using cutting-edge technologies to design engaging and meaningful learning activities,” Hood says. “They’ll be able to implement instructional design projects from ideation to completion. They’ll also understand how to make data-informed decisions to improve existing learning programs.”

In addition, Hood says, students who complete the MasterTrack™ Certificate can apply to one of the College’s online master's degree programs and, if accepted, transfer credits from the certificate into the online Ed.M. in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership degree.

Learn more about the program.

View the press release online.