Learning design templates–a pedagogical just-in-time support tool

An ongoing obstacle to the widespread adoption of effective and engaging online teaching is the degree of pedagogical understanding required by the academic to make the most of the available online tools. This paper describes the Learning Design Templates project at Queensland University of Technology, which provides academics with templates that embed specific pedagogical principles, for example problem based learning, work integrated learning and creative thinking skills. These ‘learning design templates’ consist of online tools, examples and suggestions that are carefully structured around generic learning activities. The templates can be customised to suit a range of subject disciplines, and are situated within an educational framework. This short paper outlines the rationale and process undertaken to create the learning design templates.