What are the best instructional design courses on Coursera?

Top courses include Instructional Design Foundations and Applications from the University of Illinois and An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD) from the University of Michigan as well. These programs cover learning theory, course planning, digital pedagogy, and technology tools for designing engaging learning experiences.

Can I learn instructional design for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many instructional design courses offer a free audit option. You can access video lectures and readings at no cost. If you want to complete assessments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in an instructional design course?

You’ll learn how to design learning objectives, structure courses, select appropriate media and tools, and evaluate learning outcomes. Many courses also include frameworks like ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Do I need a teaching background to start learning instructional design?

Not necessarily. While experience in education or training can be helpful, many courses are beginner-friendly and provide a strong foundation for anyone interested in creating effective learning experiences.

Can Coursera’s instructional design courses help me build a career?

Yes. Instructional design is a growing field across education , corporate training , government , and nonprofits . Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, create a portfolio of work, and earn certificates that demonstrate your ability to design engaging and effective learning materials.

Top Instructional Design Courses - Learn Instructional Design Online

Northeastern University

Intro to Managing Healthcare Supply Chain Operations

Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Lean Methodologies, Process Improvement, Operations Management, Performance Improvement, Supply Chain Management, Business Process, Waste Minimization, Operational Efficiency, Process Mapping, Project Management, Six Sigma Methodology, Healthcare Industry Knowledge

MongoDB Inc.

MongoDB Aggregation Framework

Skills you'll gain: Data Transformation, MongoDB, Data Manipulation, Data Processing, NoSQL, Data Migration, Database Systems, Data Analysis, Query Languages, Unstructured Data, Data Structures, Network Analysis, Machine Learning

Coursera Instructor Network

Creating Infographics with GenAI for Marketing

Skills you'll gain: Infographics, Data Visualization, Target Audience, Data Storytelling, Design Elements And Principles, Technical Communication, Content Creation, Generative AI, Process Mapping, Communication, ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence

Johns Hopkins University

Computing for Cancer Informatics

Skills you'll gain: Computer Systems, Data Processing, Computing Platforms, Health Informatics, Bioinformatics, Data Storage, Computer Architecture, Big Data, Capacity Management, Data Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, Oncology

Status: Free

Coursera Project Network

Design a Client Welcome Kit using Canva

Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Design, Process Mapping, Brochures, Marketing Collateral, Graphic Design, Presentations, Content Creation, Marketing Materials, Color Theory, Portfolio Management

Status: Free Trial

IBM

JavaScript Full Stack Capstone Project

Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Full-Stack Web Development, MongoDB, Application Deployment, Cloud Applications, Node.JS, React.js, DevOps, NoSQL, Database Management, Kubernetes, JavaScript Frameworks, Front-End Web Development, Software Architecture, Application Development, Web Applications, Authorization (Computing), Back-End Web Development, Restful API, Application Programming Interface (API)

Amazon Web Services

Capstone: Following the AWS Well Architected Framework

Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing Architecture, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Security, Operational Excellence, Solution Architecture, Cloud-Native Computing, Corporate Sustainability, Performance Tuning, Operational Efficiency, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Cost Reduction, System Requirements, Cost Management, Disaster Recovery, Interviewing Skills

Nanjing University

计算机系统基础（一）：程序的表示、转换与链接

Skills you'll gain: Computer Systems, Computer Architecture, System Programming, Secure Coding, Programming Principles, Hardware Architecture, Computational Logic, Data Storage, C (Programming Language), Operating Systems, Data Structures, Computer Hardware, Numerical Analysis

Status: New

Status: Free Trial

Vanderbilt University

ChatGPT + Cybersecurity: AI-Powered Tabletops & Training

Skills you'll gain: Crisis Management, Incident Response, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Prompt Engineering, Threat Modeling, Cyber Security Strategy, Cybersecurity, Scenario Testing, Complex Problem Solving

Status: Free Trial

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Evaluación del y para el aprendizaje: enfoque cualitativo

Skills you'll gain: Patient Evaluation, Curriculum Planning, Qualitative Research, Health Assessment, Psychological Evaluations, Simulations, Program Evaluation, Education and Training, Instructional Strategies

Status: Free Trial

Microsoft

Data Preparation and Management

Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Data Cleansing, Power BI, Data Transformation, Data Management, Data Quality, Data Wrangling, Data Processing, Data Validation, Data Integration, Data Modeling, Data Import/Export, Data Storage

Status: Free Trial

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Integrated Analysis in Systems Biology

Skills you'll gain: Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Analysis, Systems Analysis, Biology, Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Data Analysis

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