Welcome to Learning Design at the University of Portsmouth
This is your home for designing engaging, inclusive, and effective learning experiences. Whether you're revamping a single activity or rethinking an entire module, these pages are here to help you do it with confidence and creativity. Rooted in the principles of Active Blended Learning, and aligned with our institutional commitment to Teach Well, Consistently Well, you’ll find resources, examples and guidance to help you move beyond content delivery and focus on meaningful student engagement.
What's New?
The latest news in Learning Design ...
- You can book the following CPD sessions on Docebo:
- Teaching Well, Consistently Well at Portsmouth - 1st Oct, 2nd Dec, 4th Feb, 14th April, 10th June 2027
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Designing Context-Rich Activities for Student Engagement - tbc
An Introduction to Active Blended Learning
Learning design is one of the most important things when creating content for the classroom. Below are only some of the things required in learning design to separate teaching from delivering:
- context over content
- designed for engagement
- scaffolded
- meaningful technology adoption
- Designed once, deployed many times.
I had initially heard about enABLe from a colleague after joining the University... Not only did it give me the opportunity to reflect on WHAT I was teaching my students; but most importantly, WHY I was teaching them what I am teaching them, and to be able to communicate that to them in a meaningful way
Reading List
Bates, B. (2023). Learning theories simplified: ...and how to apply them to teaching / Bob Bates. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Biggs, J., Tang, C., & Kennedy, G. (2022). Teaching for Quality Learning at University. McGraw-Hill Education.
Fry, H., Ketteridge, S., & Marshall, S. (2003). A Handbook for teaching & learning in higher education : enhancing academic practice / [edited by] Heather Fry, Steve Ketteridge, Stephanie Marshall. Kogan Page.
Gagnon, G., Collay, M., Schmuck, R. A., Zucker, F., & Dubowe, M. (2006). Constructivist learning design : key questions for teaching to standards / George W. Gagnon, Jr., Michelle Collay ; foreword by Richard A. Schmuck ; acquisitions editor Faye Zucker ; cover designer Michael Dubowe. Corwin Press.
Gravells, A. (2017) Principles and practices of teaching and training. A guide for teachers and trainers in the FE and skills sector / Ann Gravells. Learning Matters.
Laurillard, D. (2012). Teaching as a design science ; building pedagogical patterns for learning and technology / Diana Laurillard. Routledge.
Padilla Rodriguez, B. & Armellini, A. (2021). Cases on active blended learning in higher education / Brenda Padilla Rodriguez and Alejandro Armellini. IGI Global.
Petty, G. (2018). How to teach even better ; and evidenc-ebased approach / Geoff Petty. Oxford University Press.