Introduction to a Learning Design Approach

1. People learn better when actively involved in doing something (i.e. are engaged in a learning activity).

2. Learning activities may be sequenced or otherwise structured carefully and deliberately in a learning workflow to promote more effective learning.

3. It is useful to be able to record ‘learning designs’ for sharing and re-use in the future. (JISC, 2009)

What is learning design?

Key concepts (not groundbreaking new ideas but applied in a new way, increasing the quality and variety of teaching and learning within an e-learning context):

Open University Learning Design Initiative

• providing support, gathering evidence and building understanding of the entire design process: from gathering initial ideas to sharing/reuse, and in realising a vision of learning design methodology and suite of practical tools and resources that bridge good pedagogic practice and effective use of new technologies.

Streams of activity

• Empirical research

• Curriculum design process mapping

• Visualisation and representation

• Collaboration

• Training and support

• Reviewing the formal institutional processes

• Identifying ‘touch-points’

• Exploring informal processes

• Mapping tools, resources and methodologies against ‘touch-points’

Input of Award Data

PLANET

CIRCE

Transfer data

Notify CAU of approval

ACC CIRCE Completion Rules

Pro Forma

Approval by CAU

Student

Link to Award

Advertise on OU web-site “Study at the OU”

Awards and Ceremonies

Centre (Student Services)

View Award

8/5/2009

7a Stage Gate 2 – Award Business Appraisal and Specification - DRAFT

Start of 7a

Approval to advertise

CAU Review Completion Rules

Curriculum and Awards Office/SU

Review

Approval by CAO/SU

By Awards and Ceremonies Centre

May run in parallel with CAU review and apporval

CAU and CAO/SU Check Pro Forma

Approval by CAU and CAO/

SU PLANET

Process mapping

• To support effective design

• Identifying key requirements at different levels

• Integrating design advice and support at key points in the process

Visualisation

Course map view Pedagogy profile

Course dimensions Task swimlane

• Key part of informal process

• Sharing best practice

• Ideas, support and advice

• Enhancing professional knowledge

Collaboration

Cloudworks

Toolbox• Bringing together tools, resources and

frameworks developed over a number of years across projects

• Supporting advice and guidance• Trialled across a range of teaching and learning

environments

LD Toolbox

Training and support

• Events and workshops

• Activities and resources

• Discussion areas

• Side-by-side mentoring

• Co-creative approach to ensure relevance and uptake

Any questions or thoughts?