Unpacking the Design of an Online Course Series—Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner

Abstract

As Generative AI continues to build momentum and gain traction in real-world settings, learning design professionals must decide whether and how to integrate these tools into their work. In the Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner online course series, we explore opportunities and applications for generative AI in supporting and enhancing learning design activities and tasks, such as developing learning objectives, course outlines, assessments, and evaluation plans. The series demonstrates how AI tools and models can be applied throughout the design process, while also cultivating learners’ skills to evaluate the strengths and limitations of these tools. Our design case discusses how we—as designers and instructors—addressed three technology-related goals for the series that positions AI as a design partner: engaging with its newness, keeping pace with its rapid evolution, and navigating its polarizing aspects. We elaborate on how we approached these goals by: 1) serving as translational developers to bridge foundational domain concepts and practical applications; 2) designing learning objectives and content intended to remain relevant as tools and models evolve; and 3) supporting learners in navigating, exploring, and developing their own perspectives within a controversial content area. Our design case further unpacks how our designed artifact—an online course series positioning generative AI as a partner in design—embodies the three goals we set within its content, learning objectives, instructional materials, and activities. We share our design experiences and reflect on how we may update the series in future iterations.