Overview

Once you know where your course is headed, you need a clear plan to get there. In this lesson, you’ll explore instructional design frameworks that help you organize and deliver content effectively. You’ll learn how to apply models like Backwards Design, ADDIE, and Design Thinking to create courses that are strategic, flexible, and built with your learners in mind. You’ll compare the strengths of each approach and see how they support accessibility, UDL, and user-centered design.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Describe the purpose and structure of Backwards Design, ADDIE, and Design Thinking.
• Compare the benefits and use cases of each framework.
• Select a framework that fits your course context and learner needs.
• Apply design models to plan course flow, assessments, and content structure.
• Explain how each model supports UDL and accessibility integration.

Exercise

Before moving on, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just learned. These questions are designed to help you connect the lesson content to your own course and your future learners.

You can jot down your answers, share your thoughts in the comments, or just reflect quietly. These small reflections will help you shape your learner persona at the end of the module.

1. Who are your potential learners and what specific needs might they have?
2. Identify 2-3 characteristics that will influence how you design your course.