Oppida FAQs

Research suggests that integrating technology into education can enhance learning outcomes by engaging students, personalising instruction, and providing access to a wealth of resources. However, the effectiveness of technology depends on how it is implemented and the context in which it is used. At Oppida, we understand the importance of technology in enhancing the learning experience while staying true to our value of "be human." Our expert team ensures that technology is integrated thoughtfully and effectively, always keeping in mind that we are humans designing for humans.

The Learning Designer role is pivotal in online course development, covering essential tasks such as crafting:

• Learning outcomes
• Module objectives
• Storyboards
• Assessments
• Curated content 
• Multimedia
• Dynamic finished products in chosen LMS/platform

To handle these responsibilities internally, expertise in learning design, project management, education technology, and pedagogy is crucial. At Oppida, we specialise in these areas to ensure optimal results, efficiency, and ROI.

Drawing inspiration from marketing practices, Oppida understands the importance of knowing its audience to deliver effective online education. Oppida approaches designing a learning experience tailored to specific learner needs by creating detailed learner profiles. By giving learners names, characteristics, and faces, Oppida brings them to life, helping the design team to consider their virtual opinions when making decisions. 

Learner profiles serve three essential purposes:

• Humanising the learners
• Maximising budget, effectiveness, and ROI
• Ensuring delivery of promised educational value.

In line with one of our core values, 'foster inclusivity', Oppida prioritises accessibility features. Recognising its legal requirement and importance for positive learning experiences, ensure equal access to curriculum design, delivery, and assessment. Implementing accessible design principles across our course designs enhances readability and usability, improving engagement for all students. Our comprehensive approach considers accessibility at every stage of design and development, ensuring a personalised, accessible and effective learning experience for every learner.

Oppida identifies an online learning delivery approach that aligns with organisational objectives and learner expectations by considering three key factors:

1. Target audience's needs to design engaging online experiences and ensure desired learning outcomes
2. Internal capabilities and resources to provide adequate support for both students and facilitators
3. Alignment of the chosen delivery model with its value proposition to maintain consistency and competitiveness in the market. 

By addressing these factors early in the course design process, Oppida ensures an effective online learning delivery approach.

At Oppida, we prioritise creating learner-focused rubrics to effectively evaluate learning outcomes for Higher Ed customers. Our approach involves:

1. Aligning rubric assessments with course objectives
2. Selecting the appropriate rubric type:
   • Analytic
   • Developmental
   • Holistic
3. Defining assessment criteria
4. Providing clear descriptors for each performance level and comprehensive instructions on rubric usages.

By centring our rubric development process around the learner, we ensure that our assessments facilitate meaningful engagement and continuous improvement throughout the learning journey.

Oppida guarantees the effectiveness of the learning experience through constructive alignment in instructional design. This method ensures that course content aligns directly with intended learning outcomes, enabling students to succeed in assessments reflecting their acquired knowledge and skills. By meticulously mapping out course objectives, assessments, and learning activities, Oppida ensures coherence and relevance throughout the learning experience, enhancing overall student success.

Interleaving: Interleaving involves mixing different topics or types of practice within a single learning session or across multiple sessions. Instead of focusing exclusively on one topic at a time, interleaved practice requires learners to switch between related concepts or skills.

By incorporating interleaving into course design, Oppida promotes deeper learning and enhanced retention by challenging learners to make connections between different topics and apply their knowledge in diverse contexts. 

Cognitive Load Theory: Oppida applies principles of cognitive load theory to design courses that manage the cognitive demands placed on learners' working memory. By presenting information in manageable chunks, minimising extraneous cognitive load, and strategically sequencing content, we ensure that learners can effectively process and retain key concepts.

Spaced repetition: We leverage spaced repetition techniques to reinforce learning over time. By strategically spacing out review sessions and interleaving related concepts throughout the course, we enhance long-term retention and promote deeper understanding.

Active learning: Oppida incorporates active learning strategies to engage learners in hands-on activities, discussions, and problem-solving tasks. By encouraging active participation and interaction with the course content, we foster deeper engagement and facilitate meaningful learning experiences.

Microlearning: We utilise microlearning principles to deliver content in short, focused bursts that are easily digestible and conducive to learning on the go. By breaking down complex topics into smaller modules or lessons, we enhance retention and provide learners with opportunities for frequent reinforcement.

Personalisation: Oppida adopts personalised learning approaches to tailor course content and activities to individual learner preferences, interests, and proficiency levels. By offering customised learning pathways and adaptive feedback, we empower learners to take ownership of their learning journey and maximise retention.

Oppida ensures a smooth user experience (UX) in online learning by focusing on intuitive design and clear navigation. With sequential home pages and consistent layout, learners easily access essential information and course components, reducing frustration and cognitive overload. User testing validates the effectiveness of Oppida's UX design, ensuring accessibility and engagement. This approach aligns with broader principles of usability and learner-centered design, facilitating effective online learning experiences.

Instructional videos can enhance online learning by providing visual and auditory stimulation. However, their use depends on factors like course content, budget, and learner needs. For compliance or knowledge-based subjects, videos may not be necessary. Budget constraints and course agility should also be considered; high-quality videos are costly, and text-based courses may be more adaptable. When handling large amounts of content, concise videos are preferable, with interactivity to prevent learner disengagement. Text-based materials might be more practical for frequent reference needs. Lastly, if learners require practical experience, simulations or games could be more effective than passive video instruction. Ultimately, the choice should align with the learning outcome and learners' needs, considering various teaching mediums available.

Oppida’s process for producing videos:

1. Scripting: Oppida’s Learning Designers craft concise scripts that follow project guidelines and obtain client approval before filming begins.
2. Filming: Our media team arranges a studio day, guiding the entire process. We emphasise visual consistency and attention to detail.
3. Style Guide: Our editors apply new or existing style guides to ensure videos reflect correct branding.
4. Post Production: Our media team enhances videos with BROLL, graphics, bullet points, or animations, maintaining alignment with learning objectives and branding without overwhelming the message.
5. Revisions: Oppida prioritises clear and deliberate feedback during the revision process.
6. Delivery: We upload the final videos to the correct platforms and deliver raw footage to the customer.

Our customers find the video production process as enjoyable and rewarding as we do, as it's both exciting and fulfilling to create high-quality educational videos.

Oppida utilises AI for video creation in online courses primarily through Colossyan, a cutting-edge AI video company. Practical applications include instances where:

• The message delivery is not dependent on a specific presenter
• Content is strictly instructional
• Tight deadlines necessitate quick production
• Access to a production studio or trained presenter is limited
• Content needs to be agile
• Multiple language versions are required. 

Oppida partners with Colossyan to leverage AI technology, acknowledging that while AI can't replace human teaching, it offers a cost-effective option for video production, especially for clients with budget constraints.

Animations offer several advantages in elevating the learning experience, primarily due to their ability to visualise complex concepts in a captivating and engaging manner. They provide a dynamic way to present information, making it easier for learners to comprehend and retain knowledge. Additionally, animations can:

• Simplify abstract ideas
• Break down complicated processes
• Create memorable visual cues.

Through doing so, animations can aid in long-term retention. 

The investment in animations is justified by their effectiveness in enhancing learning outcomes and increasing learner engagement. Despite being more labour-intensive than traditional videos, animations offer unique creative opportunities and can deliver significant educational value, making them a worthwhile investment for online education.

Yes, Oppida supports learning experience designs that blend digital and face-to-face components, known as blended learning. Blended learning combines traditional instruction with online resources. Learners engage with material beforehand and then participate in live interactions, whether in person or online, enhancing their learning experience. Blended learning offers flexibility, improved access, structured learning paths, and better engagement. Research suggests it can be more effective than purely face-to-face or online instruction.

To prepare learners for online study…

Focus on fostering:

• Persistence
• Time management
• Communication skills
• Technical proficiency. 

Encourage learners to:

• Familiarise themselves with the platform
• Establish study schedules
• Understand course expectations
• Plan for distractions
• Identify learning styles
• Aet achievable goals
• Prioritise self-care

Support your learners by providing: 

• Course communities
• Personal networks
• Professional assistance for support. 

With these strategies, learners can navigate online study effectively, leading to improved outcomes and a fulfilling learning experience.