Learning by Design
Learning design principles for future-focused education
The Learning by Design Project is a university-wide initiative focused on establishing UOW Learning Design principles and practices that guide engaging, high-quality, and future-focused learning experiences in an AI-enabled environment.
Dr Lorraine Fields, Academic Lead - Learning by Design (left)
Dr Alyce Mason, Educational Excellence (E²) Lead - Learning by Design (right)
Contact: 
renaissance-program@uow.edu.au
Project Overview
Learning by Design will establish UOW Learning Design principles and practices to guide high-quality, future-focused learning experiences in an AI-enabled world. Through a practice-led, participatory process, the project will surface shared values and define what excellent learning design looks like at UOW.
Why this matters
Without institution-wide learning design principles, learning experiences risk becoming fragmented and misaligned with contemporary pedagogy and emerging AI-driven expectations. UOW will need a shared foundation that ensures quality and coherence across all subjects and courses.
What the Learning by Design Project delivers
- A shared vision of what excellent learning design looks like in subjects and courses
- A set of evidence-based UOW Learning Design principles and practices that define high-quality, future-ready learning design for an AI-enabled world
- A university-wide guide that supports academics and professional staff in applying the principles across all subjects and courses
How it works
The project will bring together academics, students, and professional staff through design circles, collaborative forums, reflection sessions, and consultations. These collaborative exercises will inform the principles that are developed, principles that will be flexible enough to accommodate diverse disciplines while ensuring alignment across the curriculum.Strategic outcome
Learning by Design will enable UOW to enhance design quality and consistency while supporting discipline-specific innovation. It will position the University to deliver engaging, impactful, and future-focused learning experiences aligned with an AI-enabled world.
Project timeline
Mar-Apr
Sector benchmarking & mapping across UOW ecosystem
May-Jun
Consultation Phases commence with Students as Partners
Jul-Sep
Consultation Phases commence with UOW Staff
Oct-Nov
Showcase at renAIssance Week
Dec
Synthesis of insights and recommendations for UOW Learning Design Principles & guide for implementation
