The Edinburgh Learning Design Roadmap (ELDeR), created in 2016, is a practical, team-based approach to learning design, based on the University of Northampton’s CAIeRO approach. ELDeR also incorporates elements of other learning design tools and approaches, including the Open University’s Curriculum Feature cards, the University of Ulster’s Viewpoints toolkit, and University College London’s ABC method.

These open resources can be used to facilitate collaborative workshops, which will enable academic teams to develop a detailed blueprint of their learning design, together with a comprehensive action plan.

The student learning experience is at the heart of ELDeR. Student feedback and assessment literacies are given top priority, and a shared vision of the programme is developed between team members. By considering what students should be able to do by the end of the programme, and how they will know that they are getting there, a foundation is set for authentic assessment that aligns with learning outcomes.

The principles behind ELDeR

• It is efficient: the initial investment of time developing a robust design means less ad hoc adjustment later.
• It is a creative, supportive and collaborative process: tackling problems together results in better solutions and strengthens the team.
• It is a safe space: everyone’s input is valued, and there are no silly questions.
• It is an invaluable staff development tool: in particular, it supports and builds the confidence of staff who are new to teaching.
• It is invaluable for programme directors: it provides an overview of the programme so that gaps and duplications can be identified and addressed.

ELDeR Workshop Resources

ELDeR Workshop Course Design Planner – A planner outlining the steps and resources needed to run a two-day ELDeR workshop (.doc, University of Edinburgh, 2019,  adapted from The CAIeRO Planner, University of Northampton, ABC Learning Design by Clive Young and Nataša Perović, University College London, the Open University Learning Design tools and principles, and Viewpoints Curriculum Design, University of Ulster, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.)

ELDeR Workshop Slides – Powerpoint slides for use in ELDeR workshops (.ppt, University of Edinburgh, 2022, adapted from The CAIeRO Planner, University of Northampton, ABC Learning Design by Clive Young and Nataša Perović, University College London, the Open University Learning Design tools and principles, and Viewpoints Curriculum Design, University of Ulster, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.)

Curriculum Feature cards – Curriculum Features cards developed by the Open University Learning Design, available to download from Archive.org (.pdf)

ABC LD Storyboard and ABC LD Learning Types cards – From the ABC LD Toolkit 2020 (.zip, .ppt, @ABC_LD, UCL Digital Education, CC BY-NC-SA.)

Additional Resources

University of Edinburgh Learning Design Service.  Additional information about ELDeR and other approaches to learning design.

Student Personae (Xerte OER, Educational Design and Engagement, University of Edinburgh, 2021, CC BY-SA.)

Student Personae (.doc, Educational Design and Engagement, University of Edinburgh, 2021, CC BY-SA.)

Writing intended learning outcomes for courses (Xerte OER, Educational Design and Engagement, University of Edinburgh, 2021, CC BY-SA.)

Introduction to Writing Learning Outcomes (Catherine Bovill, University of Edinburgh, CC BY.)

References

McCune, V. and Hounsell, D. (2005) The development of students’ ways of thinking and practising in three final-year biology courses. Higher Education, 49(3), pp.255-289;

Mor, Y. and Craft, B. (2012) Learning design: reflections upon the current landscape. Research in Learning Technology, 20;

Mor, Y. and Craft, B. (2013) The art and science of learning design: Editorial. Research in Learning Technology, 21, article no. 22513;

Wiggins, G., and McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design (Expanded 2nd ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (ASCD).

Acknowledgements

A number of University of Edinburgh colleagues past and present have contributed to the development and refinement of the ELDeR approach and materials including Cathy Bovill, Lorna M. Campbell, Lizzy Garner-Foy, Susan Greig, Fiona Hale, Kelly Hall, Melissa Highton, Jon Jack, Lesley Kelly, Neil Lent, Tracey Madden, Jenna Mann, Celeste McLaughlin, Stuart Nicol, Jenny Scoles, and Elliott Spaeth.

Licence

The ELDeR Planner, The University of Edinburgh, 2020, is adapted from The CAIeRO Planner, University of Northampton, ABC Learning Design by Clive Young and Nataša Perović, University College London, the Open University Learning Design tools and  principles, and Viewpoints Curriculum Design, University of Ulster, and is similarly licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International License.