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Learning Experience Design: Orientation to the Profession

What You'll Learn

  • Learn the key components of the learning experience design process
  • Use inclusive design principles and frameworks
  • Identify possible learning design career pathways
4 Modules
16 Hours
4 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating

About Learning Experience Design: Orientation to the Profession

In Orientation to the Profession, you’ll be introduced to the “big ideas” of LXD. Begin with the essential aspects of the design process, from ideation to evaluation. During this section, you’ll also take a brief look at learning theories and design frameworks that help LXDs move from an initial concept to a completed course. Examine the instructional triangle to identify productive interactions in support of learning, and understand how technology can be used throughout the design process and by learners during the course. Gain insight into the foundational ideas of inclusive design and study principles of Universal Design for Learning. Finally, you’ll hear from several learning professionals, as you situate yourself in the field and start to map your own career path. This course will include an immersive activity where you can experience what it is like to join a project team as a new learning experience designer. By participating in this orientation, you’ll gain an appreciation for the creativity and complexity of the profession, and be well-positioned to continue on in the series.

For teachers in the state of Michigan: This series, "An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD)," is approved in the state of Michigan for a maximum of 44.5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) for teachers. The successful completion of all 3 courses in the series will be required to claim SCECHs.

Skills You'll Gain

  • Content Creation
  • Design Strategies
  • Human-Centered Design
  • Instructional Design
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Learning Experience Design
  • Online Surveys (Evaluation Methods)
  • Workplace Inclusivity

What You'll Earn

Certificate of Completion
Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Experience Type
100% Online
Format
Self-Paced
Subject
  • Personal Development
  • Social Sciences
Platform
Coursera
Credit Eligibility
  • CEU Eligible
Welcome Message

Welcome to Learning Experience Design: Orientation to the Profession, the first course in the Introduction to Learning Experience Design series. This course introduces you to the “big ideas” of Learning Experience Design (LXD), including the design process, inclusive frameworks, technology integration, and professional development. You’ll also experience collaborative project work to understand the creativity and complexity of the profession. This course equips you with essential skills and insights to explore LXD career paths.

This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.

Course Schedule

Module 1: Introduction and Welcome to the Course

  • Reading: Welcome to An Introduction to Learning Experience Design
  • Video: Welcome to the Course
  • Reading: Course Syllabus
  • Reading: Help Us Learn About You!
  • Video: Learning with Technology in this Course
  • Reading: Making the Most of Your Course Experience
  • Discussion Prompt: Community Introductions
  • Reading: Learning About and Learning to Be
  • Reading: A Focus on Learning Experience Design
  • Video: Why LXD? Why Now?
  • Reading: Voices From the Field
  • Reading: An Interest in LXD is Growing
  • Video: Three Dimensions of LXD
  • Reading: Introduction to the Voices from Academia Panel
  • Video: Voices from Academia
  • Discussion Prompt: Lessons From the Field
  • Reading: The “Big Ideas” of Learning Experience Design
  • Video: An Introduction to Design
  • Video: Key Interactions in Support of Learning
  • Reading: Community of Inquiry Framework
  • Video: Essential Components of LXD Processes
  • Discussion Prompt: Reflect on the "Big Ideas" of LXD
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • Reading: Reflect on Your Growing Conception of LXD
  • Video: Creating Your Professional Development Plan
  • Reading: Introduction to the Gamut Workbook
  • App Item: Gamut Workbook: Reflection Opportunity
  • Graded: Knowledge Check: Graded Quiz

Module 2: Designing for All Learners

  • Reading: Introduction to Inclusive Design Approaches and Frameworks
  • Video: Inclusive Design
  • Video: Design Lenses for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
  • Discussion Prompt: Inclusive Design in Practice
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • Reading: Introduction to Learner Variability
  • Video: Learner Variability is a Given
  • Reading: A Note About Learning Styles
  • Reading: Introduction to Universal Design for Learning
  • Video: Getting Started with Universal Design for Learning Guidelines
  • Video: Multiple Means of Engagement
  • Reading: Dig into Multiple Means of Engagement
  • Video: Multiple Means of Representation
  • Reading: Dig into Multiple Means of Representation
  • Video: Multiple Means of Action and Expression
  • Reading: Dig into Multiple Means of Action and Expression
  • Discussion Prompt: Universal Design for Learning in Practice
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • Reading: Introduction to Accessible Design
  • Video: Designing with Accessibility in Mind
  • Reading: Introduction to Conversation with Reginé Gilbert
  • Video: Conversation with Reginé Gilbert
  • Discussion Prompt: Accessible Design in Practice
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • Reading: Reflect on Designing for All Learners
  • Reading: Design Case: Critical Learning Design for a Massive Open Online Course
  • Discussion Prompt: Design Case Reflection
  • App Item: Gamut Workbook: Reflection Opportunity
  • Graded: Knowledge Check: Graded Quiz

Module 3: The Role of Technology in Learning Experience Design

  • Reading: Introduction to Technology in Learning Experience Design
  • Video: The Role of Technology for LXD
  • Reading: Introduction to LXD-Facing Technology
  • Video: Using Different Technologies Throughout the Design Process
  • Discussion Prompt: Discuss Technology for LXD Practice
  • Reading: Introduction to Technologies that Support Learning
  • Video: Using Different Technologies to Support Learning
  • Discussion Prompt: Discuss Technology to Support Learning
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • Reading: Reflect on the Role of Technology in Learning Experience Design
  • Reading: Design Case: An Immersive Environment to Practice Public Speaking
  • Discussion Prompt: Design Case Reflection
  • App Item: Gamut Workbook: Reflection Opportunity
  • Graded: Knowledge Check: Graded Quiz

Module 4: Situating Yourself in the Field of Learning Experience Design

  • Reading: The Intersection Between User Experience and Learning Experience Design
  • Video: A Look Back at User-Centered Design
  • Video: Moving from User-Centered Design to Learner-Centered Design
  • Discussion Prompt: Discuss User-centered and Learner-centered Design
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • Reading: Introduction to LXD Skills and Attitudes
  • Video: LXD Core Competencies
  • Reading: More About LXD Core Competencies
  • Reading: Introduction to Challenges for New Designers: Panel Discussion
  • Video: Challenges for New Designers: Panel Discussion
  • Discussion Prompt: Identify LXD Skills and Attitudes
  • Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Practice Opportunity
  • App Item: Gamut Workbook: Reflection Opportunity
  • Reading: Immersive Learning in this Course
  • Reading: Preparation for the Design Meeting
  • App Item: ⭐ Interactive Experience: The Fuzzy Front End of Design
  • Video: The Fuzzy Front End of Design (Video Option)
  • Reading: Design Artifacts from the Design Meeting
  • Reading: Follow-up from the Design Meeting
  • Discussion Prompt: Share What You Learned
  • Reading: Tell Us About Your Experience
  • Reading: Reflect on Developing LXD Skills and Attitudes
  • Reading: Design Case: Developing Attitudes and Skills to Pursue a Career in Learning Experience Design
  • Discussion Prompt: Reflection on Design Case
  • Reading: Instructions for Your Professional Development Plan
  • Reading: Course Conclusion
  • Reading: Post-Course Survey
  • Graded: Knowledge Check: Graded Quiz
  • Graded: Professional Development Plan
Grading Policy

Course assignments include auto-graded quizzes and a peer-reviewed professional development plan. To pass the course, learners must earn at least 80% on each graded component. Each quiz is worth 15% of your final grade, and the peer assignment professional development plan is worth 40%.

Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.

Beginner Level

No prior experience required

Enrollment Options

Individuals

This experience is available to individual learners on the following platforms:

U-M Community

Free access is only available to current U-M students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Organizations

Special pricing and tailored programming bundles available for organizational partners.

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Coursera

  • Hosts online courses, series, and Teach-Outs from Michigan Online
  • Enroll and preview courses anytime
  • May earn a non-credit certificate from Coursera

edX

  • Hosts online courses and series from Michigan Online
  • Many offer a free (limited) audit option
  • May earn a non-credit certificate from edX

For more information visit the What are Coursera and edX? FAQ section

Reviews and Ratings

4.7

56 Ratings from Coursera

Most Recent Reviews

Read all reviews
This course was a great introduction to the field. Like most self-improvement experiences, you get out of it what you put in—but I truly feel I gained foundational knowledge that would have taken me four times as long to piece together on my own. A well-designed course like this is worth every penny because it accelerates your progress toward your goals. Thank you, Coursera!
The Learning Experience Design course was an engaging and insightful exploration of how to design learning that is meaningful, inclusive, and technology-enhanced. I particularly appreciated how the course connected theory to practice—covering learner-centered design, inclusive design principles, and the thoughtful integration of technology. Each module encouraged reflection on real-world applications, helping me think critically about how to design learning experiences that truly support diverse learners. The case studies, design scenarios, and interactive discussions provided a rich understanding of the complexity of LXD as a field. I especially valued the focus on accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and the ethical use of technology, which are essential for modern learning designers. Overall, this course not only deepened my understanding of the LXD process but also inspired me to continue developing skills in designing equitable and engaging learning experiences.
Not bad. I expected the course to be expanded with more examples of real LXD projects.

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