QLS study plan
QLS · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Learning Theory and Instructional Design
Define and contrast at least six major learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, social learning, experiential, andragogy) in your own words
Map each theory to at least one concrete instructional strategy you could deploy in a real course
Explain the ADDIE and backward-design models and identify where learner analysis fits in each
Draft a one-page comparison table linking theory, strategy, and intended learning outcome
Your checkpoint
A one-page theory-to-strategy comparison table covering six theories with a cited instructional strategy for each
Learning Theory and Instructional Design & Curriculum Development and Content Authoring
Write three measurable learning objectives using Bloom's revised taxonomy at three different cognitive levels
Align each objective to an assessment method and an instructional activity to demonstrate constructive alignment
Sequence a 3-module outline that applies backward design from outcomes to activities
Critique a sample module outline you write yourself, flagging any misalignment between objective and assessment
Your checkpoint
A 3-module backward-design outline with objectives, aligned activities, and aligned assessments plus a written alignment critique
Curriculum Development and Content Authoring
Draft content for one module applying chunking, signaling, and the modality principle
Apply Universal Design for Learning guidelines to at least two content elements and note the changes made
Select and justify a content format (text, video, interactive) for three different objective types
Build a style-and-format checklist for consistent content authoring
Your checkpoint
One fully drafted module (roughly 20 minutes of learner time) plus a completed authoring style checklist
Facilitation and Learner Engagement
Design a 15-minute synchronous session plan using at least two active-learning techniques
Write facilitation prompts that invite participation from quiet learners without putting them on the spot
Plan responses to three common engagement failure modes (silence, dominance, off-topic drift)
Script a session opening and closing that set expectations and consolidate learning
Your checkpoint
A complete 15-minute facilitation plan with timed segments, prompts, and contingency responses
Assessment, Evaluation, and Learning Measurement
Construct a 10-item assessment blueprint mapping items to objectives and cognitive levels
Write items in at least three formats (selected-response, constructed-response, performance task) and check each against writing-quality rules
Define a scoring rubric with 3-4 performance levels and observable descriptors
Distinguish formative from summative use and specify how each will inform revision
Your checkpoint
An assessment blueprint plus a 10-item assessment with a scoring rubric and answer rationale
Assessment, Evaluation, and Learning Measurement & Learning Technology and Digital Tools
Compute and interpret at least three evaluation metrics (completion, item difficulty, item discrimination) from a small sample dataset you construct
Apply the Kirkpatrick levels to design an evaluation plan for one program
Set up a basic quiz or survey in a learning tool and export the results for analysis
Compare two digital delivery tools on cost, accessibility, and data-export capability
Your checkpoint
A one-page evaluation plan with a worked metrics example and a tool comparison table
Accessibility, Inclusion, and Learner Support & Professional Practice, Ethics, and Compliance
Audit one piece of your drafted content against WCAG success criteria and list specific fixes
Identify accommodations and inclusive-language edits for three hypothetical learner profiles
Summarize core ethical duties (privacy, consent, data handling, bias) and apply them to one scenario
Outline a compliance checklist covering record retention, accessibility, and learner data protection
Your checkpoint
A combined accessibility audit and ethics/compliance checklist applied to your drafted module
Program Management and Stakeholder Communication & Learning Theory and Instructional Design & Assessment, Evaluation, and Learning Measurement
Build a stakeholder communication plan naming audiences, message cadence, and channel for one program
Draft a one-page status update and a risk escalation note
Complete a timed 40-question mixed-domain practice set and score it against your blueprint
Review missed items by domain and write a targeted remediation plan for the two weakest areas
Your checkpoint
A stakeholder communication plan plus a scored practice set with a written remediation plan
Milestones
Week 2: Can write three measurable objectives at different Bloom levels and correctly align each to an assessment without notes
Week 4: Can deliver a timed 15-minute facilitation plan and explain the rationale for each active-learning choice
Week 6: Can compute item difficulty and discrimination from raw data and interpret both correctly
Week 8: Score at or above 80% on the mixed-domain practice set with no domain below 60%