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

Status: New

Status: Free Trial

Microsoft

Data Structures and Algorithms

Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Data Structures, Microsoft Copilot, .NET Framework, Algorithms, Back-End Web Development, C# (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Programming Principles, Microsoft Development Tools, Scalability

Status: Free Trial

University of Michigan

The History of Rocket Science

Skills you'll gain: Manufacturing and Production, World History, International Relations, Business Modeling, Political Sciences, Timelines, Engineering Design Process

Status: Free

Coursera Project Network

Launch an auto-scaling AWS EC2 virtual machine

Skills you'll gain: Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Virtual Machines, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Cloud Infrastructure, Scalability, Verification And Validation

Status: Free Trial

EDUCBA

Splunk Query Language and Data Analysis

Skills you'll gain: Splunk, Dashboard, Data Transformation, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Query Languages, Data Visualization Software, Ad Hoc Reporting, Real Time Data, Data Modeling, Continuous Monitoring, Taxonomy

University of Washington

Machine Teaching for Autonomous AI

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Automation, Decision Support Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Human Machine Interfaces, Artificial Intelligence, Real-Time Operating Systems, Machine Learning, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Human Factors

Coursera Project Network

Analyze Data in a Model Car Database with MySQL Workbench

Skills you'll gain: MySQL Workbench, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Exploratory Data Analysis, MySQL, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Database Design, SQL, Analytical Skills, Data Presentation, Technical Communication, Relational Databases

Status: Free Trial

Arizona State University

Technology & Entrepreneurship

Skills you'll gain: Curiosity, Lean Methodologies, Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Commercialization, Innovation, Persona Development, Customer Analysis, Presentations, Target Audience, Customer Insights, Product Improvement, Market Opportunities, Technology Solutions, Team Oriented, Market Research, Ideation, Solution Design, Brainstorming, Business Research

Status: New

Board Infinity

Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics

Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Data Ethics, Content Creation, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Computer Programming, Automation, Emerging Technologies

Status: Free Trial

Microsoft

Data Modeling and Architecture

Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Ethics, Data Modeling, Data Governance, Data Architecture, Database Design, Power BI, Star Schema, Information Privacy, Data Security, Data Integrity, Snowflake Schema, Relational Databases, Data Quality, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Cleansing

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado System

Facilitating and Leading Cross-Functional Collaboration

Skills you'll gain: Product Roadmaps, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Product Development, Team Building, Collaboration, Meeting Facilitation, Empathy, Team Management, Team Motivation, Product Management, Leadership, Business Priorities, Conflict Management, Goal Setting, Continuous Improvement Process

EIT Digital

Automated Reasoning: satisfiability

Skills you'll gain: Computational Logic, Deductive Reasoning, Combinatorics, Logical Reasoning, Computational Thinking, Mathematical Modeling, Operations Research, Theoretical Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Algorithms, Linear Algebra, Verification And Validation

Status: Free Trial

Wesleyan University

Data Analysis and Interpretation Capstone

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Analytical Skills, Report Writing, Data Management, Big Data, Statistical Analysis, Real Time Data, Research, Research Design

Instructional Design Courses

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