Instructional Design for eLearning (Updated 2026) (Udemy.com)
A practical introduction to instructional design for online learning.
Created by: Marina Arshavskiy
Last updated January 2026
What you will learn
- Apply core instructional design principles to create effective eLearning and online courses
- Analyze learners, goals, and instructional context to make informed design decisions
- Design instruction aligned with learning objectives, activities, and assessments
- Use instructional design models and learning theories in real-world course design
- Create structured design documents, storyboards, and scripts for eLearning projects
- Design engaging, accessible, and instructionally sound eLearning experiences
- Use emerging tools, including AI, to support instructional design workflows responsibly
How it compares
Against the other 503 rated Udemy courses in Teaching & Academics on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.3 out of 5higher than 16% of them
- Reviews8,017#18 of 504 by number of reviews
- Length4.8 hourslonger than 62% of them
- Last updatedJanuary 2026more recently than 80% of them
Course Description
Instructional design is at the core of effective eLearning.
Whether you are designing courses for higher education, corporate training, or professional learning, strong instructional design ensures that online learning is structured, engaging, and aligned with learning outcomes.
This course provides a clear, comprehensive introduction to instructional design for eLearning, covering the core principles, processes, and decision-making skills needed to design effective online courses.
It is designed for professionals working in real-world educational and training environments, where time, tools, and resources are often limited and where quality still matters.
Who this course is for
Instructional designers (new or aspiring)
Faculty and educators transitioning courses to online or hybrid formats
eLearning developers and training professionals
Anyone responsible for designing or improving online learning experiences
What you’ll learn
The core principles of instructional design for eLearning
How to analyze learners, goals, and instructional context
How to structure online courses for clarity and learning effectiveness
How to design meaningful learning activities and assessments
How instructional design models are applied in practice
How to collaborate effectively with subject-matter experts and stakeholders
How emerging tools, including AI, can support instructional design decisions responsibly
This course focuses on instructional thinking and design judgment, not on specific tools or software that quickly become outdated.
You’ll gain a solid foundation in instructional design that you can apply across a wide range of eLearning and online course contexts.
Why this course
Broad, foundational approach to instructional design
Applicable across higher education, corporate training, and professional learning
Focuses on principles and process, not trends
Suitable for beginners while still valuable for experienced professionals
This course is ideal if you want a reliable, structured introduction to instructional design for eLearning that you can build on as your role or responsibilities grow.
Instructor Details
- 4.3 Rating
8,017 Reviews
Marina Arshavskiy
Marina Arshavskiy is an award-winning instructional designer, eLearning expert, and the author of multiple books on instructional design, including "Instructional Design for ELearning" and "ELearning on a Shoestring." With over 15 years of experience creating impactful learning experiences for universities, corporations, and non-profits, Marina is known for her practical, results-driven approach to course design.
Currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Learning Design and Technology at Johns Hopkins University, Marina is further enhancing her expertise in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to improve online learning.
Her courses are known for their clear, actionable strategies, empowering educators and instructional designers to create high-quality training on any budget.
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Reviews
By Jessica Hollister on 7/24/2026
Learning about Instructional Design from an eLearning perspective and developer is very enlightening. As a former instructor for a local community college, I've used the LMS systems time and time again, but to now understand HOW my courses were actually developed from the ground up makes so much more sense now. Additionally, I'm now also able to look through a different lens as a multimedia designer as well. Attending meetings will make more sense, as I'm able to connect some of the "WHY" behind the development of courses and what the IDs, ADs, SMEs and management teams are referencing as well. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is both curious about what Instructional Design is as well as the process that's involved in creating an eLearning course from the ground up. Very insightful! Thank you, Marina and Udemy for offering this course in such a well thought out and engaging way.
By Christine Eruokwu on 4/14/2026
The training was detailed and interesting; however, some sections would benefit from relevant graphics. There should be an option to slow down the audio. Resources should be uploaded to a single document, with section links included in the course.
By Joanna McDouall on 4/7/2026
Have only completed the first 6 modules, and the content is good, but I've noticed that every quiz so far has issues. In some cases I will choose the correct answer but am told I am wrong; when I select the answer it tells me is right, the explanation given is that of the answer I initially selected. Considering this is a course about Instructional Design, I would have expected there to be some QC before publishing!
By Seipati Mokhathi on 3/27/2026
First, to do proper research before designing an e-learning by looking into the demographic of your learners, where they come from and if they are in the same area or different areas. Their needs and psychological needs for the organization. Then, you are able to choose to synchronize or asynchronize learning. I would best choose e-learning and blended learning so that the learners can be able to participate and compete in activities for long-run knowledge and be able to implement best practice in their organizations
By María E. Oliveras Negrón on 12/31/2025
Si lo encuentro muy bien explicado. Y lo mejor es que puedo escuchar y retroceder si no entiendo o no escucho bien lo que se dice.
By Kenneth Pinto on 11/18/2025
Good course. I am the SME and course designer, and in most cases, the client, so maybe a little different than is typical. This course is designed for typical scenarios. I like it though, for sure. I have learned a few things that will improve our courses.
By Hannah Muders on 11/7/2025
The course was packed with information which is overall good, but it was so hard to follow the voice and additionally the voice including the packed information sheets. In a course that teaches me how to do good eLearning I would expect that it also applies the methods its teaching.
By Samrat Chakraborty on 11/18/2020
In the past couple of years primarily as an e-learning Sr.designer and an on-training Creative Art Director, I have worked side by side with professional SME’s and Instructional designers to create memorable and effective courses. While designing visual elements, implementing gamification, analyzing scripts and story-boarding for e-learning content (ID) I have always felt a strong need to learn Instructional design models, learning theories, styles, LNA, etc in more depth. With high experience and strong hold in designing, I always aimed to build myself as a Creative Director cum Project manager with deeper insights on how to build measurable and highly effective courses. This amazingly detailed course by an award-winning author and expert in the industry Ms. Marina Arshavskiy, helped me to reach closer to my objective on certain levels. My three and a half months of commitment in studying this course have served its purpose beyond expectations. As they say learning has no end, I want to continue studying and implementing my past and newly acquired knowledge in organizations I will be working in the future to develop better e-learning content.
By Travis Hartman on 11/15/2020
Really enjoying the course. Well-worth the money paid.
By Rashed Aldossary on 11/15/2020
a lot of info about the topic , PERFECT COURSE
By Ekaterina Tkachenko on 11/8/2020
In general for now the cours looks fine, but the sound is not good.
By Natasha Scott on 11/8/2020
Yes.
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 86 / 100






