Introduction to Instructional Design Course

Lesson 1 • Core Learning Theories

Surveys behaviourism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism as design foundations. Equips designers to select theory-aligned strategies for any learning context.

Lesson 2 • History and Evolution of the Field

Traces ID from military training research through e-learning to modern practice. Provides context for why current models exist and how they developed.

Lesson 3 • The Instructional Designer's Toolkit

Introduces categories of tools used across analysis, design, development, and evaluation. Sets realistic expectations for the software and methods covered throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Selecting and Adapting Models

Provides a decision framework for matching models to project constraints and client culture. Graduates justify model selection in project proposals and stakeholder conversations.

Lesson 2 • Agile and SAM Approaches

Introduces the Successive Approximation Model and agile sprints for rapid development. Addresses client demand for faster delivery without sacrificing instructional quality.

Lesson 3 • Dick and Carey Systems Model

Applies the ten-step Dick and Carey model to complex, high-stakes instructional projects. Demonstrates rigorous systems thinking for enterprise-level course development.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Needs Analysis

Distinguishes organisational, task, and learner needs as three analysis levels. Prevents costly design errors caused by solving the wrong problem.

Lesson 2 • Documenting and Presenting Findings

Structures needs analysis reports for executive and SME audiences. Builds the business case that secures approval to proceed with design.

Lesson 3 • Data Collection Methods

Covers interviews, surveys, observations, and document reviews as primary data sources. Teaches selection criteria so designers choose methods appropriate to context and budget.

Lesson 1 • Synthesising Analysis into Design Inputs

Consolidates learner and context data into a design brief that guides all subsequent decisions. Connects analysis outputs directly to objective writing and strategy selection.

Lesson 2 • Learner Characteristics and Profiles

Examines demographics, prior knowledge, motivation, and accessibility needs as design inputs. Profiles prevent assumptions that lead to irrelevant or inaccessible content.

Lesson 3 • Adult Learning Principles

Applies andragogy and self-directed learning theory to workplace training design. Ensures content respects adult autonomy, experience, and problem-centred orientation.

Lesson 1 • Organising and Sequencing Objectives

Groups objectives into terminal and enabling hierarchies that structure course architecture. Produces an objective map used directly in content and assessment planning.

Lesson 2 • Affective and Psychomotor Objectives

Extends objective writing to attitude, value, and physical skill domains. Prepares designers to address the full range of workplace performance requirements.

Lesson 3 • Anatomy of a Learning Objective

Breaks objectives into audience, behaviour, condition, and degree components. Establishes a precise writing standard applied throughout all design work.

Lesson 1 • Active Learning and Practice Strategies

Covers scenario-based learning, case studies, simulations, and spaced practice techniques. Moves learners from passive reception to active application of new skills.

Lesson 2 • Managing Cognitive Load in Design

Applies intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load theory to content chunking and sequencing. Prevents cognitive overload that undermines retention and transfer.

Lesson 3 • Inclusive and Accessible Content Design

Embeds universal design for learning principles and accessibility standards into content blueprints. Ensures all learners can access and engage with instruction regardless of ability.

Lesson 4 • Aligning Strategy to Objectives

Maps instructional events to objective levels using Gagné's nine events as a framework. Ensures every content element serves a specific learning function.

Lesson 1 • Constructive Alignment in Practice

Audits the objective-strategy-assessment triangle to confirm full alignment. Identifies and corrects misalignments before development begins.

Lesson 2 • Rubrics and Scoring Guides

Designs analytic and holistic rubrics for performance and portfolio assessments. Enables consistent scoring across raters and provides actionable feedback to learners.

Lesson 3 • Writing Effective Test Items

Covers multiple-choice, true/false, short-answer, and performance item construction rules. Produces items that discriminate between mastery and non-mastery accurately.

Lesson 1 • Data Analysis and Design Revision

Translates evaluation data into prioritised revision decisions using structured analysis. Closes the ADDIE loop and establishes a continuous improvement cycle.

Lesson 2 • Kirkpatrick's Four-Level Model

Applies reaction, learning, behaviour, and results levels to a complete evaluation plan. Provides the most widely recognised framework for communicating training value.

Lesson 3 • Phillips ROI Methodology

Extends Kirkpatrick with a fifth level that calculates return on investment for training. Equips designers to speak the financial language of executive stakeholders.

Lesson 4 • Formative Evaluation Techniques

Covers expert review, one-to-one, small group, and field trial evaluation methods. Catches design and development errors before full deployment reduces rework costs.