• What is learning design?
• Designing your learning
  1. Discrete features of online learning designs
  2. Learning tasks
  3. Learning outcomes
  4. Grain size of learning designs
• Learning design
  framework
• Discrete learning designs
• Choosing the
  learning design
• RPL models
• Basic principles of
  online learning design
• Web 2.0 technologies
• Employability skills

Learning tasks

In designing a learning environment, a learning designer must plan learning tasks in deliberate ways to ensure the intended learning outcomes are achieved. A learning design is a framework that organises a structure for the learning tasks chosen by the learning designer. Experts often provide guidelines to designers of learning settings that describe optimal strategies for engaging learners. Merrill describes the following as a powerful sequence for fostering learning:

• Activation: Learning is promoted when learners activate relevant cognitive structures by being directed to recall, describe, or demonstrate relevant prior knowledge or experience.
• Demonstration: Learning is promoted when learners observe a demonstration of the skills to be learned that is consistent with the type of content being taught. Demonstrations are enhanced when learners receive guidance that relates instances to generalities. Demonstrations are also enhanced when learners observe media that is relevant to the content.
• Application: Learning is promoted when learners engage in application of their newly acquired knowledge or skill that is consistent with the type of content being taught. Application is effective only when learners receive intrinsic or corrective feedback. Application is enhanced when learners are coached and when this coaching is gradually withdrawn for each subsequent task.
• Task centered: Learning is promoted when learners are engaged in a task. A centred learning strategy that teaches task components in context and involves learners in a progression of whole tasks.
• Integration: Learning is promoted when learners integrate their new knowledge into their everyday lives by reflecting on, discussing, and defending their new knowledge and skill. Integration is enhanced when learners publicly demonstrate their new knowledge or skill.