Learning Design

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.

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Learning Outcomes: Getting It Right from the Start

Clear, purposeful learning outcomes are the backbone of good curriculum design. They set the direction for learning, shape meaningful assessment, and help students understand what success looks like.

This section brings together everything you need to craft learning outcomes that do just that. You’ll find our full guidance document -  Learning Outcomes: A Guide to Writing Effective Learning Outcomes - plus a selection of quick-access info sheets designed to give you practical tips at a glance.

Whether you're designing a new module or reviewing your current ones, these resources will help you create outcomes that are inclusive, constructively aligned, and genuinely useful for you and your students.

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Learning Outcomes Principles Framework (PDF)
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Learning Outcomes Framework - At a Glance (PDF)
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How to Write a Learning Outcome (PDF)
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Level and Hierarchy (PDF)

Groupwork

Groupwork can be one of the most powerful parts of the student experience especially when it’s designed well. It’s not just about teamwork for the sake of it, but about building real-world skills, encouraging collaboration, and supporting deeper learning through shared problem-solving.

This section is here to help you make groupwork more effective, inclusive, and manageable. You’ll find the full Groupwork That Works guides which are packed with strategies and examples alongside a selection of accessible info sheets you’re welcome to use and adapt.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, these resources will help you design group activities that are purposeful, fair, and genuinely engaging for all students.

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Making Groupwork Work, A Guide to Designing Effective Groupwork (PDF)
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Groupwork Principles Framework (PDF)
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Groupwork Principles Framework - At a Glance (PDF)
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Groupwork Principles Framework Checklist (PDF)