A learning design system combines people, tools, and shared practices to support the effective design of learning experiences. It relies on collaborative networks, aligned organisational support, consistent design approaches, and space for innovation and learning. With these elements in place, learning design teams are well-positioned to produce high-quality, scalable and responsive learning that meets the needs of modern learners and organisations.

Courses are a widely used format in learning, offering structure and clear outcomes. But they’re not always the best fit. This post explores the origins, pros and cons of course formats, alternative approaches like learning pathways and the impact of AI on future learning design. You’ll find practical comparisons, trends and tips for rethinking the default course model—and how to choose the right format for your learners.

Becoming an accidental learning designer can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity to grow into a vital, creative role. By collaborating with others, embracing unfamiliar territory, and staying curious through communities and professional development, you’ll build confidence and expertise over time. Most importantly, you’ll develop empathy for learners - something that will strengthen you, and every future project.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a key tool in education, but for many educators and learning designers, unknowns, uncertainty and fear can still linger. Concerns about AI replacing human roles, generating inaccurate content, or diminishing the authenticity of learning experiences are common. However, AI doesn’t need to be seen as a threat, nor does it need to generate a slew of new content. Instead, it can serve as a critical friend - a tool that helps review, refine, and enhance existing teaching materials, learning content, and assessments.

Learning objectives remain a valuable tool in instructional design, ensuring clarity, alignment, and measurability in learning experiences. They help structure content, guide assessments, and set clear expectations for learners. Objectives exist at multiple levels - program-wide, course-wide, section/topic, and individual activity - to ensure coherence and progression. Writing effective objectives involves using actionable, measurable verbs and aligning them with assessments and outcomes. Visual learning design tools like Coursensu can help maintain alignment. By defining objectives strategically, instructional designers create structured, outcome-driven learning experiences that support both educators and learners in achieving meaningful results.

Learning design is a rapidly growing field that sits at the intersection of education, technology, and instructional strategy. Learning Designers play a crucial role in creating effective, engaging, and accessible learning experiences across higher education, corporate training, and online learning environments. If you're interested in a career that blends creativity, pedagogy, and problem-solving, becoming a Learning Designer could be the right path for you.

Creating engaging and effective eLearning content is a collaborative effort. While instructional designers are experts in structuring and delivering content, subject matter experts (SMEs) bring the deep knowledge necessary for the course’s substance. However, working with SMEs can be challenging, as they are often busy and may have limited time to devote to the project. The key to success lies in fostering a smooth collaboration that maximises both the SME’s expertise and the learning designer’s skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips for working with SMEs to create high-quality eLearning courses. These strategies ensure that SMEs can contribute meaningfully without becoming overwhelmed, while also making the most of their subject knowledge.

Great learning experiences are rarely designed in isolation. Collaboration, co-design, and co-creation are essential approaches that bring together instructional designers, educators, subject matter experts, and learners to build more effective, engaging, and relevant learning content. By fostering shared ownership and diverse input, these approaches improve course quality, ensure alignment with learning objectives, and create learning experiences that truly meet learner needs. In this article, we explore how these methods reduce siloed thinking, enhance engagement, and strengthen instructional design practices.

Refreshing learning content ensures relevance, improves learner experience, and maintains instructional quality. Setting periodic review points, using clear evaluation criteria, and leveraging learner feedback can help identify areas for improvement. Quick fixes can be implemented immediately, while larger changes should be scheduled strategically to avoid disrupting current learners. Establishing a structured approach to content maintenance prevents the "set and forget" mentality and encourages ongoing refinement of learning materials.