Overview
Gain specialised instructional design knowledge and skills with our three-part Learning Design Series – start with principles of learning design, followed by developing your skills into learning solutions, then learn how to use AI tools to support effective instructional design in this course.
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 and technologies 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.
Keen to understand more about the principles of learning design? Our Instructional Design Basics course is a great precursor to this course, laying the foundations for good online course design. The second course in the series, Learning Design and Development, is a great way to practise the theories and principles before starting this course.
This course is ideal for
- Learning and instructional designers looking to make better use of AI in their practice
- Teachers 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
What you'll learn
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools in the context of learning design and content development.
- How to expertly apply AI-supported learning design principles to produce learner-centred, adaptive, and immersive online learning resources.
- How to critically evaluate the ethical and cultural considerations, risks, and responsible implementation strategies when integrating AI into digital learning solutions.
Course outline
Our courses are flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments. You can choose to study when it suits you during the learning period (7 October – 8 December, with a one-week study break from 4 – 10 November), followed by a 2-week review period for marking and feedback (9 – 22 December).
We recommend completing around 12 hours of study a week during the learning period (excluding the study break) – you can view the course overview here for more details on assessment timings.
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%
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 Instructional Design Basics and Learning Design and Development 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.
- A prototyping tool like Miro, Canva, PowerPoint or Google Slides.
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.
Group discounts
Get your colleagues together to take advantage of our group discounts:
- 10% for 3 - 6 learners
- 15% for 7+ learners
Contact our Partnerships Manager to learn more and enquire now.
Minimum enrolment threshold
Please note: Tuihono UC | UC Online has a minimum enrolment threshold that must be met to enable opportunities for interaction, discussion, and feedback. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course is not met, enrolled students will be given the option to defer their enrolment to the next course date, 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
Dr Kathryn MacCallum
Associate Professor | Digital Education Futures | University of Canterbury | School of Educational Studies and Leadership
