Education & community
Instructional Design Foundations
Build an evidence-led Instructional Design Foundations foundation you can explain in a real workplace or interview.
Design practical learning experiences around real outcomes and evidence.
About this course
Learn learning needs, objectives, activities, assessment, accessibility, feedback, evaluation and course design.
Career relevance
Where this can take you
Designed for learners exploring education careers and building a practical, honest portfolio.
Portfolio project: Create a Instructional Design Foundations capstone pack that documents your purpose, method, evidence, quality check and next action.
Skills you will gain
Practical skills, not just theory
What you will learn
Understand the core workflow behind instructional design foundations.
Create practical evidence using controlled, workplace-ready methods.
Make evidence-led decisions, communicate limitations and escalate appropriately.
Present a portfolio-ready capstone and development plan.
Objective map
A numbered, measurable syllabus
Every lesson, knowledge check and practical activity maps to the objectives below. Domain weights show how much of the programme each area represents.
Domain 1
Instructional Design Foundations: role and foundations to Objectives
- 1.1Plan and produce instructional design foundations: role and foundations in a realistic instructional design foundations context: establish the purpose, professional boundaries and workplace context for instructional design foundations.
- 1.2Demonstrate learning needs in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply learning needs to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 1.3Demonstrate objectives in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply objectives to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Domain 2
Activities to Accessibility
- 2.1Demonstrate activities in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply activities to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 2.2Demonstrate assessment in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply assessment to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 2.3Demonstrate accessibility in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply accessibility to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Domain 3
Feedback to Course design
- 3.1Demonstrate feedback in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply feedback to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 3.2Demonstrate evaluation in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply evaluation to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 3.3Plan and produce course design in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply course design to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Domain 4
Integrated Instructional Design Foundations workflow to Final Instructional Design Foundations capstone
- 4.1Plan and produce integrated instructional design foundations workflow in a realistic instructional design foundations context: connect the programme topics into one controlled workflow with clear inputs, checks, handover points and escalation boundaries.
- 4.2Plan and produce portfolio lab: instructional design foundations case in a realistic instructional design foundations context: create a portfolio-safe instructional design foundations artefact from a realistic workplace scenario and explain the choices made.
- 4.3Plan and produce final instructional design foundations capstone in a realistic instructional design foundations context: complete and review an end-to-end instructional design foundations case with evidence, quality checks, limitations and a professional recommendation.
How the programme works
Learn, practise, explain and prove it
This is a long-form, eight-week guided programme rather than a stack of short articles. Each module contains six substantial lessons that move from concepts and methods into a worked case, a quality clinic, a workplace lab and assessed reflection.
1. Guided learning
Study the purpose, process, risks and professional standard through structured readings and active notes.
2. Worked cases
Compare plausible options, expose missing evidence and defend a decision under realistic constraints.
3. Quality clinics and labs
Diagnose weak work, revise it against a rubric and create portfolio evidence with a full audit trail.
4. Hard assessment
Pass applied checks and the final assessment at 85%, with no unresolved critical-error questions.
Curriculum
A complete programme, module by module
The curriculum below shows the actual learning pathway, objective and evidence for every module. Full lessons remain locked until enrolment.
Build the base
Standards, vocabulary and the core method you will use throughout the programme.
01Instructional Design Foundations: role and foundationsEstablish the purpose, professional boundaries and workplace context for instructional design foundations.+
Measured objectivePlan and produce instructional design foundations: role and foundations in a realistic instructional design foundations context: establish the purpose, professional boundaries and workplace context for instructional design foundations.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready instructional design foundations: role and foundations brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
02Learning needsApply learning needs to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate learning needs in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply learning needs to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready learning needs brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
03ObjectivesApply objectives to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate objectives in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply objectives to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready objectives brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You can explain the fundamentals and complete a first guided task.
Develop core skills
The working skills and tools of the role, practised one at a time.
04ActivitiesApply activities to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate activities in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply activities to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready activities brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
05AssessmentApply assessment to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate assessment in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply assessment to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready assessment brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
06AccessibilityApply accessibility to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate accessibility in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply accessibility to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready accessibility brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You can carry out routine work independently and check it properly.
Apply it in realistic scenarios
Case studies and simulations with competing priorities and incomplete information.
07FeedbackApply feedback to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate feedback in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply feedback to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready feedback brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
08EvaluationApply evaluation to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate evaluation in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply evaluation to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready evaluation brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
09Course designApply course design to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectivePlan and produce course design in a realistic instructional design foundations context: apply course design to a realistic instructional design foundations brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready course design brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You can make and justify decisions in realistic situations.
Prove it and plan your next step
Portfolio evidence, final review and a development plan you can show an employer.
10Integrated Instructional Design Foundations workflowConnect the programme topics into one controlled workflow with clear inputs, checks, handover points and escalation boundaries.+
Measured objectivePlan and produce integrated instructional design foundations workflow in a realistic instructional design foundations context: connect the programme topics into one controlled workflow with clear inputs, checks, handover points and escalation boundaries.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready integrated instructional design foundations workflow brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
11Portfolio lab: Instructional Design Foundations caseCreate a portfolio-safe instructional design foundations artefact from a realistic workplace scenario and explain the choices made.+
Measured objectivePlan and produce portfolio lab: instructional design foundations case in a realistic instructional design foundations context: create a portfolio-safe instructional design foundations artefact from a realistic workplace scenario and explain the choices made.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready portfolio lab: instructional design foundations case brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
12Final Instructional Design Foundations capstoneComplete and review an end-to-end instructional design foundations case with evidence, quality checks, limitations and a professional recommendation.+
Measured objectivePlan and produce final instructional design foundations capstone in a realistic instructional design foundations context: complete and review an end-to-end instructional design foundations case with evidence, quality checks, limitations and a professional recommendation.
Evidence you will produceA portfolio-ready final instructional design foundations capstone brief and artefact showing audience, rationale, accessibility check, feedback and revision.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You have portfolio-ready evidence and a clear next step.
Suggested pace
Eight-week study plan
Plan for roughly 5–9 hours each week across readings, worked cases, practice, portfolio production and assessment remediation. Repeat a week when the knowledge checks show a gap.
Week 1
Instructional Design Foundations: role and foundations to Learning needs
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Instructional Design Foundations: role and foundations and Learning needs and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the instructional design foundations: role and foundations and learning needs portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 2
Objectives
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Objectives and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the objectives portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 3
Activities to Assessment
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Activities and Assessment and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the activities and assessment portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 4
Accessibility
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Accessibility and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the accessibility portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 5
Feedback to Evaluation
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Feedback and Evaluation and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the feedback and evaluation portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 6
Course design
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Course design and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the course design portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 7
Integrated Instructional Design Foundations workflow to Portfolio lab: Instructional Design Foundations case
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Integrated Instructional Design Foundations workflow and Portfolio lab: Instructional Design Foundations case and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the integrated instructional design foundations workflow and portfolio lab: instructional design foundations case portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 8
Final Instructional Design Foundations capstone
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Final Instructional Design Foundations capstone and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the final instructional design foundations capstone portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Submit the capstone evidence pack, defend the key decision, remediate every weak objective and pass the final assessment at 85% with no critical misses.
Education & community
Continue your learning path
Community Development Practice
Plan respectful community initiatives around participation and evidence.
55–66 hours
Education Support Practice
Support organised, inclusive learning environments and learner administration.
55–66 hours
Grant Writing & Fundraising
Develop evidence-led funding proposals and responsible donor communication.
55–66 hours
Assessment and certificate
A scenario-led instructional design foundations case, practical portfolio review and final knowledge assessment. It is a UGEN ACADEMY completion record, not an external professional credential.
Who this is for
- ✓Learners exploring education careers.
- ✓Job seekers building practical instructional design foundations evidence.
- ✓Professionals developing a structured new capability.