Applying a learning design to the design of a university unit: a single case study

Learning designs have been proposed as a possible support to lecturers’ unit design processes. The collection of exemplary learning designs, development of tools and design languages have been the focus of the majority of activity to date. Research has only begun to explore how documented learning designs can be reused to support lecturers’ design thinking and processes. Using a case study approach to gain understandings of these processes, the study reported in this paper followed the design, implementation and reflection phases of a unit designed with the support of a learning design. Findings indicate that the process of applying a learning design helped organize and deepen thinking about pedagogical connections within the unit; however, for an experienced technology user implementing a new unit, the learning design was reported to have minimal affect on the lecturer’s use and integration of technology.