Wananga Landing Wananga Landing
Micro-credential

Learning Design Principles Course

25 November 2024

This course guides you through the learning design process. You'll become confident using instructional design learning frameworks and models, and learn the fundamentals of effective and engaging learning design.

HOW TO APPLY

Price

Domestic learners

$766 incl GST where applicable

International learners

$3,183 incl GST where applicable

Qualification

Domestic learners: Micro-credential, 10 points at NZQF Level 8

International learners: Continuous professional development

Duration

100 hours over 9 weeks*

*Around 12 hours of study per week, with a one-week study break

Entry times

2 February - 5 April 2026
27 April - 28 June 2026
13 July - 13 September 2026
28 September - 29 November 2026

Enrolments open for February

Overview


Learn the fundamentals to design effective and engaging learning that is student-centred and impactful. 

If you’re new to instructional design, this course is designed for you to gain the fundamental skills you need. Hungry for more? Extend your skills by learning how to use AI tools to support effective instructional design. 

As demand for learning has grown, so too has the need for quality instructional design. This course unpacks learning design principles and introduces the best models and frameworks used to design and develop effective learning, including the ADDIE model.

Through project-based assessments, you’ll identify your learners’ needs and learning contexts where they will apply their new skills. In addition, you will design the instructional strategy that will help you develop a prototype course and create an evaluation plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the course design.

This course is ideal for

  • Aspiring learning and instructional designers
  • Existing teachers, trainers, human resource or L&D professionals who are not familiar with online learning
  • Media or graphic designers who want to apply their skills to learning design
  • Anyone trying to understand their learners better
Learner designer smiles as he prepares to help people learn to use instructional design frameworks as part of their new careers.

What you'll learn
 

  • How to identify instructional goals and create an instructional analysis
  • How to apply constructive alignment between learning objectives and assessment
  • How to formulate an instructional strategy
  • How to develop a prototype using analysis and design outputs
  • How to develop an evaluation plan for a proposed project

Achievement of this micro-credential shows you can:

  • Identify instructional goals and create an instructional analysis 
  • Apply constructive alignment between learning objectives and assessment 
  • Formulate an instructional strategy 
  • Develop a prototype using analysis and design outputs 
  • Develop an evaluation plan for proposed project 

Testimonials

How it works

 

Learning Design Principles is flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments – provided you meet assessment deadlines. You can choose to study online when it suits you during the nine-week learning period, with a one-week study break in the middle of your course to take a break, or catch up. 

We recommend completing around 12 hours of study a week during the learning period (excluding the study break). After the course ends, there will be a two-week period for marking and feedback.

Nervous about studying online?
You'll start your course with an optional UC Online Essentials course, giving you a chance to get familiar with the learning management system (LMS). Learn more about how online study with us really works.

Online, not alone
Study anywhere, feel supported everywhere. Our courses have been designed to enable a cohort community so you can learn and grow from each other's experience. We also have a facilitator for this course who is there to offer support as you work through your learning, in addition to our Enrolment Support and Learner Support teams.

Qualification
This is a standalone micro-credential course that recognises the achievement of specific skills, experience, or knowledge. 

Recognition
Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded ten academic points at NZQF Level 8, and issued a digital badge to recognise your learning achievements. This can take up to 2 months to be delivered after the marking and feedback period.  


Course outline


The course is divided into six modules that you'll work your way through over the nine weeks of learning. Each module includes specific learning objectives, educational content across a range of media, activities to apply what you've learnt, plus a 'temperature check' survey to make sure you're getting what you need as a learner.

Module 1: Introduction to instructional design (ID)
Foundations of the instructional design process and how people learn. Understand the role of instructional designers and who they work with.

Module 2: Analysis
Understand the needs and goals of your learners and the content you create for them – In what context will they be learning and applying their new knowledge?

Module 3: Design
Design an effective instructional strategy. Create a framework for constructive learning that includes measurable objectives and aligned assessments.

Module 4: Development
Make sure the instructional materials you're designing are accessible, usable, and inclusive. Create content your audience can relate to. It should be easy to access and engaging to interact with so you maximise value for your learners.

Module 5: Implementation
Key points every instructional designer should consider before and during the implementation phase.

Module 6: Evaluation
Do formative and summative evaluations to check whether your instructional content is effective and examine how to collect meaningful feedback.

Assessments

  • Course proposal and analysis = 25%
  • Course design = 30%
  • Prototype development = 25%
  • Evaluation plan = 20%

Your course total grade is calculated based on the weighting of each assessment. To pass the course you need a course total of over 50 (out of 100). You may attempt each assignment up to two times. You do not need a passing grade for each assignment, but they all work sequentially, so you must consider the facilitator's feedback in each assignment to pass the course successfully. 

Ready to start learning?

Enrol now for February, or sign up for enrolment updates.


Requirements


This course is equivalent to Level 8 postgraduate study therefore applicants must meet the entry criteria as approved by NZQA, and have; 

  • Either a bachelor's degree or equivalent level qualification
  • OR equivalent professional experience in a relevant field. Learners will be asked to demonstrate equivalent professional experience, which can include paid or voluntary work. If you’d like to check if you have the equivalent professional experience you can email us at info@uconline.ac.nz 

Courses are taught in English and therefore learners should be confident reading, writing and listening in English.

Technology requirements 

  • We recommend a laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection.
  • A PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC) to download PDFs with assessment instructions.
  • Word processing software (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs) to complete your assignments.

Course fees
Course fees must be paid before learning can begin, either via online credit-card payment, or by contacting info@uconline.ac.nz to request an invoice. Please note: fixed invoice payment dates apply, so we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible to request an invoice, as this option is subject to availability.

Withdrawals and refunds
Once learning begins, you are eligible for a withdrawal with refund up until the end of week 2. After this date, refunds may be available if your circumstances are exceptional, for example if you've experienced a serious medical event.

Cap & minimum enrolment threshold
A minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.


Privacy Preferences

By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.