Learning Design with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course

Overview

Harness the benefits of AI to create effective online learning programmes and resources. Developed by Dr Kathryn MacCallum and Dr David Parsons.

Gain specialised instructional design knowledge and skills with our Learning Design courses. If you’re an experienced learning designer looking to upskill in AI, this course is designed for you. If you’re new to instructional design, we’d recommend starting with Learning Design Principles.

Are you familiar with learning and instructional design principles and practice, but wondering about how to best use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies? Take a deep dive with us into how to use AI tools to create student-centred and impactful online courses.

You’ll experiment with using different AI tools including generative AI to design and develop learning resources and evaluate the impact of these technologies on the profession of learning design. You’ll also explore ethical and cultural considerations, best practices, and responsible implementation strategies when integrating AI into digital learning. 

Whether you already use AI in your learning design, or are unfamiliar with AI tools, this course will give you hands-on experience and new-found expertise in applying AI-supported learning design principles to create media-rich, effective, and engaging online learning.

This course is ideal for

• Learning and instructional designers looking to make better use of AI in their practice
• Educators and teaching leaders
• Corporate trainers
• Professional development specialists
• Community and other educators
• Learning and development (L&D) professionals
• People looking to upskill in learning and instructional design with AI
• Learners who have successfully completed Learning Design Principles

Course outline

The course is divided into eight 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: The influence of AI in education and learning design
Consider the importance of AI in learning design.

Module 2: AI for learning designers 
Explore the influence of AI in learning design. You’ll start to look at the approaches and implications of generative AI on the role of learning designer. Consider ethical implications of these tools.

Module 3: AI in the analysis and design phases 
Focus on key online learning theories and frameworks, and how AI might fit into these – especially its influence on self-direction and learner empowerment.

Module 4: Developing robust assessment in the context of AI 
Explore how to create assessments, with the aid of AI, that can be effective in a context where students are using AI tools. Learn how to guide students in how to use AI in assessment work with integrity and transparency 

Module 5: Development phase – creating content with GenAI tools 
Get hands-on with AI tools – try out different tools and technologies to create online learning resources and consider any implications.

Module 6: Development phase – using AI in learning activities 
Explore different ways that AI can be integrated into learning – for example, using chatbots, AI-driven virtual learning environments, data-driven insights, or AI integrations into LMS platforms.  

Module 7: Implementation and evaluation
Consider your learning design plan developed in Module 4 and evaluate it using tools that will ensure quality implementation. 

Module 8: Review and reflect 
Review and reflect on what you’ve learnt, including what is best practice for iterative design, feedback loops, and data-driven refinements. Look at how to peer assess design plans. 

Assessments

• Design plan = 50%
• Artefact review and reflection = 50%

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.

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

Pre-requisites
It is beneficial if learners have background knowledge of instructional design processes and models like ADDIE; or have undertaken Learning Design Principles or comparative courses. 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.

Crediting this course towards a degree
In certain cases, the points from this course can be credited towards further study with UC. Learn more about cross-crediting and recognition of prior learning.

Our people

Please note: our academic team develop and present video content within their courses, but are not always the course facilitator. The course facilitator will engage with learners in the course forums, answer queries and mark assignments.