Learning Design Essentials

Get ready to create impactful learning programs using our '3Ds' model - Discover, Design, Develop.

With our expertly crafted toolkit, you’ll be well-equipped to design and develop engaging and effective learning experiences.

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This course is ideal for:

Instructional Designers looking to refine their skills and create more impactful learning experiences.
Corporate Trainers aiming to design more engaging and effective training programs.
Learning & Development Professionals wanting to enhance their toolkit with proven design strategies.
Educators interested in applying modern learning theories and methodologies in their teaching.
HR Managers responsible for employee development and training initiatives.
Career Changers entering the field of instructional design or eLearning development.

Design your ideal work-life balance

Craving flexibility? Learning design delivers. Work from your favourite coffee shop, your home office, or as a digital nomad. Many roles offer the freedom to set your own hours, allowing you to prioritise family, hobbies, or whatever matters most to you. It's not just a job – it's a lifestyle that adapts to your needs.

Freelance or collaborate in a team

Crave independence? Thrive as a freelancer, cherry-picking projects and setting your own rates. Prefer collaboration? Join dynamic teams where you'll brainstorm with brilliant minds and tackle exciting challenges together. Learning design offers the flexibility to work how you want, when you want.

Earn an above average salary

Your skills are in high demand, and the payoff is sweet. Learning designers earn an average salary of $80,000 in the USA, £38,000 in the UK, and $107,000 in Australia
(Glassdoor.com.au, 2024)(Glassdoor.co.uk, 2024)(Talent.com, 2024).

Work remotely or as a digital nomad

Turn the world into your office! Learning design opens doors to location-independent living. Create engaging courses from bustling cities or tranquil mountain retreats – all you need is your laptop and a Wi-Fi connection.

Make a meaningful impact by helping others grow

As a learning designer, you'll create educational experiences that empower people to achieve their goals. You'll shape the way individuals and organisations learn, driving personal and professional growth. Your creativity and expertise will spark growth across countless fields, leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Ride the wave of a booming industry

Dive into a career with explosive growth! With a projected 21.7% job increase over the next 5 years and over 2,300 positions available right now, learning design is your ticket to job security and endless opportunities (SEEK, 2024).

Constantly expand your skills in a dynamic role

Learning design offers a playground for continuous skill development. Explore diverse domains, from graphic design to video and podcast production. This multifaceted field, blending education, psychology, and technology, ensures you're always expanding your expertise and staying at the forefront of professional growth. From mastering new eLearning software to honing your visual storytelling skills, each project presents a chance to learn something new and expand your expertise.

Blend creativity and tech to make learning programs an unforgettable adventure

Blending creativity and technology, you develop engaging programs - whether digital, virtual, or in-person - that help people acquire critical skills and knowledge. Your creativity will shine as you develop compelling narratives, design eye-catching visuals, and craft intuitive scenarios that bring learning to life. The result? Learning experiences that captivate, inspire, and truly stick with your audience.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Recognise adult learning principles that underpin effective instructional design.
Conduct a discovery session to uncover capability gaps.
Write active learning outcomes, based on identified needs.
Design impactful learning experiences for different modalities, in alignment with learning outcomes.
Apply visual design principles to materials development for effective learning and engagement.
Use practical tools and templates to bring the 3Ds process to life.

Learn from experts

Our team of developers has years of experience under their belts, and they're ready to share their secrets. Get your hands on the same tools, techniques, and templates our pros swear by.

Structured approach

Learn about the 3Ds - a structured approach that simplifies complex learning design processes, making it easier to create effective, engaging programs.

Lifetime access to the toolkit

Secure a lifetime license to use our 3Ds toolkit for you to use on your own projects.

Practical application

The course is designed to guide you through an instructional design project, applying the 3Ds model with hands-on resources.

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APPROACH to learning design

Our 3Ds model

Our structured approach simplifies the instructional design process, ensuring each phase is meticulously addressed for maximum impact.

Accompanied by our comprehensive toolkit, you'll have access to detailed guides, templates, and worked examples to seamlessly bring your learning design projects to life.

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LeARNING Architecture

Your learning path awaits!

The learning architecture below outlines the end-to-end course.

As you progress through each module, we encourage you to apply what you learn by using and completing the provided templates. Using our practical, hands-on 3Ds toolkit will build your confidence and competence in learning design in a hands-on, real-to-life way.

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Frequently asked questions

How long will it take to complete the course?

You have 12 months to access the course. Feel free to go at your own pace, fast or slow!

Here's the breakdown:

Self-paced learning: Around 4 hours
Application of learning via relevant project: Time to complete varies based on project size and complexity. For example, creating learning materials for a 1-day workshop or a 45-minute eLearn may take around 10 days of effort.

What software do I need?

For the best eLearning experience, we recommend using a fast browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox. The templates and guides are provided in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and as PDFs. If you'd like to create eLearning, we recommend Rise 360 – it's user-friendly and powerful. Articulate 360 offers a 30-day free trial.

What are the prerequisites?

Absolutely none! Whether you're new to learning design or a seasoned expert, our tools and templates are ready to help you succeed.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept online payments via credit card or PayPal. If you prefer an invoice, just let us know!

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes! Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate from ThinkyDink, recognising your professional development. Perfect for your LinkedIn profile and resume!

How am I allowed to use the toolkit?

You can use the 3Ds toolkit forever. Feel free to make copies and tweak them as needed. Just remember, we still own the copyright, so please don't share or sell the course or templates. If your team or organisation needs access, contact us for a tailored proposal. See our licence agreement for details.

The Learning Design Essentials course was the perfect starting point for my career, moving from teaching into learning design. The 3Ds model was easy to follow and provided a clear structure for creating my first training program. The templates are incredibly helpful and gave me the structure I needed.

Chloe

As a freelancer, this course was a lifeline. It helped me build a solid portfolio and gave me the confidence to tackle more complex projects. The flexibility to study at my own pace was a huge advantage, and the coaching sessions were incredibly supportive.

Zane

I was particularly impressed with the course's focus on visual design principles. It taught me how to craft materials that are both eye-catching and highly functional, significantly improving the effectiveness and appeal of my learning programs. The well-designed templates gave me a great head start!

Jody

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an Instructional Designer and a Learning Designer?

The terms Instructional Designer and Learning Designer are essentially the same, both involving the creation of educational experiences. However, Learning Designer is becoming the more common term as it reflects a broader approach, emphasising not just the content structure but the entire learner experience, including engagement strategies and outcomes.

While the roles are similar, 'Learning Designer' is increasingly preferred as it captures the evolving focus on creating more holistic and impactful learning journeys.

What is instructional design?

Instructional design is the systematic process of creating educational programs and materials. It involves identifying learning objectives, designing activities and assessments, and ensuring that the content is engaging and effective for the intended audience.

Why is learning design important?

Learning design is crucial because it ensures that educational experiences are not only informative but also engaging and impactful. A well-designed course can enhance learner engagement, improve retention, and ensure that the knowledge or skills being taught are effectively transferred.

What are the key principles of instructional design?

The key principles include understanding learner needs, defining clear learning objectives, structuring content logically, engaging learners through interactive activities, and assessing learning outcomes to ensure objectives are met.

How does instructional design benefit organisations?

Instructional design helps organisations by creating efficient, targeted training programs that improve employee performance, reduce training costs, and increase overall productivity. Well-designed training ensures that employees gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their roles.

How do instructional designers stay current with trends?

Instructional designers stay current by continuing education, attending workshops and conferences, networking with peers, and following industry publications to stay informed about the latest tools, methodologies, and best practices in the field.

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Courses and templates

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Learning Design Essentials