Leveraging dynamic decision-making and environmental analysis to support authentic learning experiences in digital environments

Abstract

Authentic learning is a pedagogical approach that situates students in real-world settings. Authentic learning experiences in online environments allow learners to solve real-world problems when they immerse in real-world settings. It thereby requires instructional designers to make contextualized design decisions to enhance students’ online authentic learning experiences. The purpose of this paper is to provide instructional designers with a conceptual framework to help guide their instructional design decisions for authentic learning experiences in online environments. We purport that these design decisions should be guided by three constructs: authentic learning, decision-making, and contextual analysis. We also provide recommendations for future research on decision-making practices and processes in instructional design contexts.