University of Cape Town
Instructional Design
Learn how to build impactful training programmes as an instructional designer.
Start date
03 March 2025
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Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
6–8 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
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Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
The modern workplace has evolved rapidly, creating a need for organisations worldwide to upskill and reskill their employees. Learning opportunities that cater to the specific needs of businesses are now in high demand, as are those with the skills to create and implement engaging learning material.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an Instructional Design online short course that equips you with the tools to create effective learning experiences and embrace your role as an agent of change. With a focus on African and emerging-market contexts, gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of instructional design, including content curation and learning management systems. The course also explores how incentivisation tactics, particularly gamification, can be used to achieve learning goals. You'll build a portfolio of transformative instructional design work that applies directly to your current context and learn about the links between instructional design and organisational goals.
Is this course for you?
This course offers a comprehensive approach to instructional design, providing the necessary tools to make a significant impact as a change agent in your organisation. In the current climate where upskilling and reskilling are vital, this course will enable you to enhance your organisational impact if you work in HR or corporate training. As an educator, this course presents the opportunity to expand your career prospects and apply your skills to various contexts. You'll also gain insights into the latest developments and applications in instructional design. If you're considering a career in the rapidly growing instructional design industry, this course will equip you with essential skills and a portfolio of instructional design work that can be applied across multiple contexts. Ultimately, this course will give you the knowledge and practical tools to effect positive and lasting change through education and training.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
The modern workplace has evolved rapidly, creating a need for organisations worldwide to upskill and reskill their employees. Learning opportunities that cater to the specific needs of businesses are now in high demand, as are those with the skills to create and implement engaging learning material.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an Instructional Design online short course that equips you with the tools to create effective learning experiences and embrace your role as an agent of change. With a focus on African and emerging-market contexts, gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of instructional design, including content curation and learning management systems. The course also explores how incentivisation tactics, particularly gamification, can be used to achieve learning goals. You'll build a portfolio of transformative instructional design work that applies directly to your current context and learn about the links between instructional design and organisational goals.
Is this course for you?
This course offers a comprehensive approach to instructional design, providing the necessary tools to make a significant impact as a change agent in your organisation. In the current climate where upskilling and reskilling are vital, this course will enable you to enhance your organisational impact if you work in HR or corporate training. As an educator, this course presents the opportunity to expand your career prospects and apply your skills to various contexts. You'll also gain insights into the latest developments and applications in instructional design. If you're considering a career in the rapidly growing instructional design industry, this course will equip you with essential skills and a portfolio of instructional design work that can be applied across multiple contexts. Ultimately, this course will give you the knowledge and practical tools to effect positive and lasting change through education and training.
What will set you apart
An understanding of how to use incentivisation tactics, particularly gamification, to better achieve organisational learning goals.
A portfolio of transformative instructional design work that you can apply directly to your current organisation.
Insight into an instructional designer’s role as an agent of change, and how instructional design links to an organisation’s broader goals.
A holistic view of the fundamentals of instructional design, content curation, and using learning management platforms in an African and emerging-market context.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Foundations of instructional design
Module 2
The instructional designer as agent of change
Module 3
Learning management platforms
Module 4
Instructional design models and processes
Module 5
Analysis for content creation
Module 6
The principles of learning design
Module 7
Gamification and the role of e-learning tools
Module 8
Course implementation and evaluation
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Course Convenor
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Joanne Hardman
Associate Professor, School of Education, UCT
About the certificate
Acquire a comprehensive understanding of instructional design and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
