Re-usable Learning Design

Learning design is a contemporary term that is taking over from instructional or educational design. The focus on learning is more in line with constructivist learning theory and concentrates more on the learning than instruction.

Learning design attempts to predict and structure the learning path/s that students will take and can be based on a number of models including the following design model developed by Ron Oliver and Jan Herrington.

The diagram above demonstrates the order and type of design that should be used to develop contemporary online learning courses, but could just as easily used to design face-to-face learning experiences.

Learning Design
(Adapted from Oliver & Herrington 2001)

See exemplars and details at Learning Design website

Process

Learning tasks

The Oliver model suggests that the first step in the learning design involves the design of authentic and realistic learning tasks that will cause the learners to discover the content necessary to fulfil the learning outcomes/objectives for the subject.

These learning tasks are presented as messy and ill-structured and authentic problem scenarios that have no single correct solution.

Once you are convinced that the learning tasks will cause the students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes your learning outcomes require, it is time to develop the assessment.

The assessment should be authentic and woven into the learning tasks so that the students don't see it as an add-on or additional disconnected task.

Learning resources

Once the learning tasks and assessment have been designed, it is time to locate the learning resources that the students will need to successfully complete their learning tasks. Some of these resources may not exist and in this case you will need to construct these yourself.

Most of these resources could be considered to be learning objects and could involve the following:

previous study guides and resource materials
good quality Web links
textbooks
subject matter experts
animations and simulations

Learning supports

The learning supports relate to the scaffolding you supply to the students that will help them through the subject. Of key importance is you and your teaching team. The importance of your coaching and facilitation should never be underestimated. You are their learning lifeline and mentor.

Some other examples of some scaffolding are:

study schedules
discussion spaces and communication tools
instruction sheets or Web pages
advanced organisers

Authentic learning

In many ways the key to a successful learning experience lies in the authenticity and believability of the learning tasks and learning environment. The more real the learning experience, the more likely that students will suspend their disbelief and engage in deep and long-term learning. To achieve this, the student is required to adopt the role and perspective of the part portrayed in the problem scenario.

Role-play simulation, authentic learning environments and Problem-based learning are all examples of this particular approach to learning design.

e-learning

e-learning is a term that has emerged over the last 10 years and relates most specifically to online learning.

Tips & tricks

This links to some design guides that will assist you choose media and teaching approaches best suited to your particular needs.