Learning Design
UoA Online: Learning Design at Scale
Lead Learning Designer for eight online university courses across the Bachelor of International Business and Health Services Management programmes at the University of Adelaide.
UoA Online: Learning Design at Scale
LD Design Project @The University of Adelaide
Sections of my portfolio designed in this fashion showcase specific projects I worked on as a Learning Designer at the University of Adelaide, beginning in August 2021. I aim to detail my approach to tackling a unique educational challenge via separate case study pages, highlighting the design thinking processes and strategies employed to enhance user experience and learning outcomes.
These project pages provide insights into my problem-solving methodology, showcasing how practical solutions can be crafted to address specific needs within educational settings. It illustrates my commitment to creating accessible and effective learning experiences, reflecting my broader work ethic and dedication to educational innovation.
Project Scope
The project spanned the development of 35 courses for Open Universities Australia (referred to as OUA) initiative, (six of which I was the lead Learning Designer), strategically designed to enhance the University of Adelaide's suite of fully online undergraduate offerings. The scope included courses for both the Bachelor of International Business and the Bachelor of Health Services Management programmes with 12 shared courses amongst the two streams and culminating in a eChallenge Captstone. This initiative aimed to address the growing need for flexible education solutions, catering to the evolving landscape of higher education.
Constraints
The primary challenge was to cater to a diverse and geographically dispersed student population, predominantly from NSW, VIC, and QLD, while also considering the lifestyles of learners, 41% of whom are employed full-time. The demographic profile, heavily skewed towards working females aged between 30-39, demanded a flexible and nuanced approach to course delivery and design.
Opportunity
This project presented a significant opportunity to align the University's academic offerings with the strategic goal of increasing accessibility to quality education. By integrating foundational knowledge with specialised content across shared courses, the project sought to create a seamless and cohesive learning journey for students. The redevelopment was more than an academic exercise; it was a step towards redefining the educational model to be more inclusive, adaptable, and resonant with the needs of a modern learner.
The Orca Pod
For three years, I had the privilege of designing learning across a diverse portfolio of OUA courses alongside an extraordinary team we called the Orca Pod, part of the Learning Enhancement Innovation division at the University of Adelaide. The name fit us perfectly. Orcas move with precision, communicate constantly, and rely on collective intelligence to navigate vast and unpredictable waters. That was exactly how we worked — no one operated alone. Ideas surfaced, circled, and strengthened through shared effort.
The pod changed over time. People moved on, new directions called, but the group's rhythm never broke. We held onto our Salmon Hats, stayed tightly coordinated, and when challenges appeared immovable, we did what orcas do best — worked together beneath the surface until something shifted. Presenting our collective process at ASCILITE 2025 gave us a moment to surface and look back at what we had built. A special acknowledgement goes to Tim Klapdor, my line manager across the entire UoA project, who built the companion portfolio site that documents this work in full.
View my profile on the UoA Online project siteCourses I Designed
I was Lead Learning Designer on eight courses across the Bachelor of International Business (IB) and Bachelor of Health Services Management (HSM) programmes. Shared courses were co-designed to serve students in both programmes.
OUA Showcases
Showcase 1 - The OUA project - innovations behind the scenes
Showcase 2 - The OUA design process
Reflections on the curriculum design process
OUA Showcase - student testimonial
Interested in large-scale curriculum design?
Happy to walk through the design process artefacts and learning frameworks used.
Contact me