OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
Coursera logo

Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 39 ratings
see reviews
Rebecca Quintana, PhD and Chris Quintana

With “Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design,” you will learn how to use generative AI as a partner in learning design. Throughout the course, we will explore how to incorporate generative AI into several design frameworks. By focusing on the key stages of the learning design process, you can identify areas where generative AI might be most helpful or impactful as you design a learning experience. Explore ways you can use generative AI to help you brainstorm new ideas, create learner personas, draft course outlines, and more. As you reach the end of the course, you will learn how to use generative AI within your own instructional design process.

Read more

With “Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design,” you will learn how to use generative AI as a partner in learning design. Throughout the course, we will explore how to incorporate generative AI into several design frameworks. By focusing on the key stages of the learning design process, you can identify areas where generative AI might be most helpful or impactful as you design a learning experience. Explore ways you can use generative AI to help you brainstorm new ideas, create learner personas, draft course outlines, and more. As you reach the end of the course, you will learn how to use generative AI within your own instructional design process.

This is the first course in the series "Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner," which introduces generative AI to the learning design process to support the creation of engaging instructional design.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.
Valid until March 12, 2027
Save 40% Off 3 Months
Access thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription and take 40% off 3 months for a limited time.
Take
40%
off
Get offer

What's inside

Syllabus

Planning for Future Applications
In this module, you will learn about general applications of generative AI for learning design, discuss potential use cases with your fellow learners, and reflect on what opportunities for generative AI partnership exist within the design process.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the use of generative AI to brainstorm ideas, create learner personas, and draft course outlines, which are all essential tasks in instructional design
Introduces generative AI to the learning design process, which can support the creation of engaging instructional experiences for a variety of learners
Belongs to a series, "Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner," suggesting a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the topic
Examines the hype cycle surrounding emerging technologies, which provides a critical perspective for understanding the potential and limitations of AI

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Generative ai for learning design overview

According to learners, this course provides a good introduction and clear overview of how generative AI can be used in the learning design process. Many appreciated the focus on viewing AI as a design partner and its integration into various design frameworks. Reviewers found the content, particularly sections on brainstorming and creating learner personas, to be relevant and offer practical ideas. While broadly positive, some students felt the course was too high-level or superficial, wishing for more in-depth coverage and hands-on examples of specific tools and techniques.
Offers practical ideas like brainstorming/personas.
"The brainstorming and persona sections were particularly helpful."
"The practical examples shared, even if brief, were very useful."
"The brainstorming methods were particularly useful for me."
"I learned new ways to approach tasks like outlining and brainstorming using AI."
Appreciated focus on AI as a design partner.
"Really enjoyed the focus on AI as a partner, not just a tool. The framework integration was insightful."
"Excellent first course... provides a strong conceptual foundation and practical ideas."
"I liked how it showed integrating AI into existing design processes."
Provides a solid introduction to the topic.
"This course is fantastic! It provides a clear overview of how generative AI can be a partner in learning design."
"A solid introduction. It covers the basics well..."
"Excellent first course in the series. It provides a strong conceptual foundation..."
"I felt it was a great starting point for learning about AI in ID."
Some found it too conceptual, lacking depth/hands-on.
"It's okay, a bit too high-level for me. I was hoping for more hands-on examples and less theory."
"Disappointed. Very superficial. It talked a lot about *why* you might use AI but didn't show *how* effectively."
"wish it went a bit deeper into specific tools and prompt engineering techniques..."
"Expected more practical demonstrations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design with these activities:
Review Instructional Design Principles
Reinforce foundational knowledge of instructional design principles to better understand how generative AI can augment the design process.
Browse courses on Instructional Design
Show steps
  • Review key instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, etc.).
  • Identify core principles of effective learning experiences.
  • Reflect on past learning design projects and challenges.
Review 'Design for How People Learn'
Gain a deeper understanding of learning principles to inform the use of generative AI in creating effective learning experiences.
View Design for how People Learn on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read selected chapters focusing on cognitive principles.
  • Identify practical strategies for applying these principles.
  • Consider how generative AI can support these strategies.
Compile a List of Generative AI Tools for Learning Design
Create a curated list of generative AI tools that can be used to support various aspects of the learning design process.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant generative AI tools.
  • Categorize the tools based on their specific applications.
  • Write brief descriptions of each tool and its potential benefits.
  • Share your list with other learners and solicit feedback.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create a Blog Post on AI in Learning Design
Solidify your understanding of generative AI by writing a blog post that explores its potential and challenges in learning design.
Show steps
  • Research current trends and best practices in AI for learning.
  • Outline the key points and structure of your blog post.
  • Write and edit your blog post for clarity and engagement.
  • Share your blog post on relevant online platforms.
Prototype a Generative AI-Enhanced Learning Module
Apply the concepts learned in the course by creating a prototype of a learning module that integrates generative AI tools.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific learning objective and target audience.
  • Identify potential applications of generative AI for that objective.
  • Develop a prototype module incorporating generative AI elements.
  • Evaluate the prototype's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Review 'AI for Learning'
Explore the broader landscape of AI in education to gain a deeper understanding of its potential impact on learning design.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read selected chapters focusing on specific AI applications.
  • Analyze the potential benefits and challenges of each application.
  • Reflect on how these applications can be integrated into learning design.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates learning experiences, such as courses and training programs, and this course directly addresses how to incorporate generative AI into that process. The course's focus on key stages of the learning design process, such as brainstorming, persona creation, and drafting outlines, aligns with the core tasks of an instructional designer. Exploring how to use generative AI as a partner allows an instructional designer to more efficiently and effectively create engaging and impactful learning experiences. The course's emphasis on incorporating AI into design frameworks means that this course provides a great resource for those who work as instructional designers. This course is valuable for someone seeking to work as an instructional designer because it addresses current technology.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
Training Specialist
A training specialist develops and delivers training programs, and this course can help in the design phase of such programs. The course explores the use of generative AI for brainstorming new ideas; this can be very helpful in generating new ideas for training program content. Similarly, the course covers drafting course outlines, and that skill is directly transferable to the work of a training specialist. The focus on generative AI as a partner in design equips training specialists with tools to create more innovative and effective training materials. By incorporating this technology into the work, a training specialist will likely find themselves more efficient, and this course will provide the foundation. This course will be valuable for a training specialist looking to leverage AI.
See salaries and explore the career path for Training Specialist
Learning Experience Designer
A learning experience designer focuses on creating engaging and effective learning experiences, and this course directly addresses how to incorporate generative AI to do just that. The course will cover key stages of the learning design process where AI may be most impactful, which will make the job of a learning experience designer easier. A learning experience designer would benefit from learning how to use generative AI to brainstorm new ideas and create learner personas. This course is an excellent method to learn how to use AI to design better learning experiences. If one is seeking to become a learning experience designer, they may find this course very helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Experience Designer
E-Learning Developer
An e learning developer creates online learning content and this course will help them design better content using generative AI. This course explores ways to use generative AI to draft course outlines, create learner personas, and brainstorm which are all tasks an e learning developer might do. An elearning developer will be able use AI to produce cutting edge content that will improve the learner's experience. The concepts discussed in this course will help an elearning developer use AI effectively. This course might be extremely helpful to someone trying to become an elearning developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for E-Learning Developer
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers create educational materials and resources. The course is focused on using generative AI to help in the design process, which is one of the most important phases of developing a curriculum. By covering how to use generative AI for drafting outlines and brainstorming, the course directly supports the work of a curriculum developer. A curriculum developer who is familiar with generative AI will be better equipped to produce cutting edge methods for learners. The techniques discussed in the course can help a curriculum developer stay on the forefront of educational practices. For those looking to become a curriculum developer, this course may be useful to learn about the applications of AI.
See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer
Educational Technologist
An educational technologist focuses on integrating technology into education and this course teaches how to incorporate generative AI into learning design. This course will cover the ways in which AI can assist throughout the design process, and those skills would be invaluable to an educational technologist. Incorporating AI into design frameworks is a core concept in the course, which makes the course directly relevant to the work of the educational technologist. An educational technologist needs to be familiar with generative AI, and this course will help them achieve that. Someone looking to become an educational technologist may find this course valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Technologist
Corporate Trainer
A corporate trainer develops and delivers training programs for employees, and this course about generative AI in learning design can certainly aid in the design process. The course directly addresses how to incorporate generative AI into design frameworks. Given that a corporate trainer is responsible for identifying opportunities for improvement in employee skill sets, this course will provide that capability. They will be able to use AI to brainstorm new ideas, create learner personas, and draft course outlines, all skills mentioned in the course. This course can be a great resource for a corporate trainer looking to make a difference in the workplace. Someone who wants to be a corporate trainer would likely find this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Trainer
Educational Consultant
An educational consultant provides expertise on educational practices and this course helps them understand how generative AI plays a role in modern learning design. Exploring the use of AI in areas like brainstorming, persona creation, and drafting outlines allows an educational consultant to provide informed guidance to their clients. As generative AI becomes an increasingly important part of education, consultants need to be knowledgeable. This course will enhance the skills of an educational consultant, making them more relevant in an evolving field. This course may be very valuable for someone looking to become an educational consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant
Academic Program Coordinator
An academic program coordinator oversees the development and implementation of academic programs, and this course can help provide insight into the learning design process. The course emphasizes the integration of generative AI into learning design, which can be a great resource for academic program coordinators. Knowing how to use AI to create learner personas and draft course outlines would be a benefit to the academic program coordinator. Incorporating this kind of technology can help improve academic programs, and this course provides the tools to do so. Academic program coordinators may find this course to be highly beneficial.
See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Program Coordinator
Learning Technology Specialist
A learning technology specialist focuses on the implementation of technology in learning environments, and this course focuses on how to apply generative AI in learning design. The course teaches how to use generative AI throughout the design process. This knowledge would be invaluable for a learning technology specialist. The focus on how to use AI to create learner personas and design outlines means the course covers the cutting edge of educational technology. A learning technology specialist will be well-served by what is taught in this course. Someone who wants to become a learning technology specialist may find this course very useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Technology Specialist
Training Coordinator
A training coordinator organizes and manages training programs, and this course can help them understand how to use generative AI to improve the design process. A training coordinator is tasked with identifying areas of improvement for training programs, and this course will help them do that. The course emphasizes utilizing generative AI to brainstorm new ideas, create learner personas, and draft outlines, all things a training coordinator will need to do. This course provides cutting edge techniques that the training coordinator can apply to their work. A training coordinator may find this course valuable to learn new methods.
See salaries and explore the career path for Training Coordinator
Instructional Technology Specialist
An instructional technology specialist focuses on integrating technology in educational settings. This course, which explores the use of generative AI as a partner in learning design, directly addresses an important aspect of that work. The course covers how to use generative AI to create learner personas, draft course outlines, and brainstorm new ideas, all of which are useful for an instructional technology specialist. By providing knowledge of generative AI, this course enables instructional technology specialists to help improve educational experiences. Someone looking to become a instructional technology specialist might find this course particularly helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Technology Specialist
Content Developer
A content developer creates materials for learning and training, and this course can help them learn how to incorporate AI into their work. The course emphasizes using generative AI during key stages of the design process, like brainstorming new ideas and drafting course outlines, which are common tasks for a content developer. By using AI, a content developer can potentially work more efficiently. The material taught in the course is directly applicable to the work of a content developer. Someone looking to work as a content developer would likely find this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Developer
Educational Materials Developer
An educational materials developer creates resources and tools for learning, and this course about generative AI can help them with the design aspect of their work. The course delves into the core phases of the learning design process, focusing on utilizing generative AI for brainstorming and drafting. An educational materials developer can use these skills to create more cutting-edge resources. This course provides the knowledge needed to leverage AI in the development of educational materials. Someone seeking to become an educational materials developer, might find this course useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Materials Developer
Learning and Development Specialist
A learning and development specialist focuses on improving employee skills and knowledge, and this course provides tools and insights for designing effective learning experiences via the utilization of AI. The course covers using generative AI to brainstorm and draft outlines, which can be applied directly to the creation of training and development programs. By learning how to integrate generative AI into learning design, a learning and development specialist can be more innovative in their work. A learning and development specialist may find this course to be useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Learning and Development Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design.
Cover image
Design for how People Learn
Save
Provides a practical guide to applying learning science principles to instructional design. It offers actionable strategies for creating engaging and effective learning experiences. Reading this book will help you better understand the underlying principles that generative AI can leverage to enhance learning design. It commonly used reference for instructional designers.
Design for how People Learn
Paperback
Check
Design for how People Learn
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Explores the potential of AI to transform education. It examines various applications of AI in learning, including personalized learning, automated assessment, and intelligent tutoring systems. Reading this book will provide a broader perspective on the future of AI in education and its implications for learning design. It is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course materials.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design.
Virtual Teacher Final Project
Most relevant
Getting started with the Vertex AI Gemini 1.5 Pro Model
Most relevant
Adobe Photoshop for Beginners: Generative AI Images
Most relevant
Conduct a 5 Whys Analysis in Miro
Most relevant
Miro for Beginners: Create a Product Innovation Board
Most relevant
GenAI for Social Media and Influencer Marketing
Most relevant
GenAI for Personalized Marketing at Scale
Most relevant
Using GenAI for Tailored Customer Emails
Most relevant
Generative AI and Model Selection
Most relevant

Coursera Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

Accredited University Partner
Free Trial & Audit

7-Day Free Trial & Free Audit

7-day free trial on monthly Coursera Plus subscriptions; free audit option available on most individual courses to explore video lectures and readings at no charge.

Return & Refund Policy

14-Day Refund Guarantee

14-day refund window on annual Coursera Plus subscriptions and single-course purchases prior to certificate issuance. Monthly subscriptions do not offer refunds once billed.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

Accredited university and industry certifications (e.g. Stanford, Google, IBM, Yale), secure SSL payment processing, and verifiable digital certificate links.

Key Purchase Protections
14-day refund window on annual Coursera Plus and single courses
7-day free trial on monthly Coursera Plus subscriptions
Free course audit option for lectures and readings
Verified certificates from top universities & companies
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
This course is designed to be completed in about 3-5 hours & will focus on 1-2 learning objectives.
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Michigan
Instructors
Rebecca Quintana, PhD
Chris Quintana
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the use of generative AI to brainstorm ideas, create learner personas, and draft course outlines, which are all essential tasks in instructional design
Introduces generative AI to the learning design process, which can support the creation of engaging instructional experiences for a variety of learners
Belongs to a series, "Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner," suggesting a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the topic
Examines the hype cycle surrounding emerging technologies, which provides a critical perspective for understanding the potential and limitations of AI
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Exploring Generative AI for Learning Design.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser