Education

Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology

The Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology is a postgraduate programme that prepares educators for advanced practice in designing learning experiences and integrating technology in education. The programme combines learning science with technology-enhanced instructional design.

Core areas include learning design theory, educational technology, instructional systems design, e-learning development, learning analytics, multimedia for learning, educational research methods, and thesis or capstone project. Students engage with both learning design theory and practical technology application.

The programme is offered by the Open University of Kenya and the University of Nairobi. The Open University of Kenya offers it as a Master in Learning Design and Technology (MLDT) through open and distance learning modes. The University of Nairobi offers it through its Department of Educational Communication, Technology and Pedagogical Studies.

Students develop competencies in learning design, instructional systems development, e-learning creation, learning analytics, multimedia content development, and educational research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, practical projects, and thesis or capstone project.

The Open University of Kenya charges KES 187,500 total (KES 101,500 in Year 1, KES 86,000 in Year 2, approximately KES 93,750/year). The University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 155,500/year for the project option or KES 181,500/year for the thesis option. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division.

Graduates pursue careers as learning designers, educational technology specialists, e-learning developers, instructional coordinators, teacher educators, and education researchers in schools, universities, corporate training, and educational organisations.

Skills Required

Learning Design Theory
Instructional Systems Design
E-Learning Development
Learning Analytics
Multimedia for Learning
Educational Technology Integration
Open and Distance Learning Design
Educational Research Methods
User Experience Design for Learning
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Learning Design Theory
Instructional Systems Design
E-Learning Development
Learning Analytics
Multimedia for Learning
Educational Technology Integration
Open and Distance Learning Design
Educational Research Methods
User Experience Design for Learning
Thesis or Capstone Project

Certifications

TSC Teacher Registration
AECT Professional Membership

Specializations

Instructional Systems Design

Focuses on systematic design of instruction using models such as ADDIE, examining analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning systems.

E-Learning Development

Examines designing and developing online learning experiences, covering learning management systems, online pedagogy, and digital content creation.

Learning Analytics

Covers using data to understand and improve learning, examining learning data collection, analysis, visualisation, and data-driven decision-making.

Open and Distance Learning Design

Focuses on designing learning for open and distance education, covering course design, learner support, and assessment for distance learners.

Multimedia Learning Design

Examines designing multimedia learning experiences, covering cognitive load theory, multimedia principles, and creating effective educational media.

User Experience Design for Learning

Covers designing learning interfaces and experiences, examining user-centred design, usability, and accessibility in educational technology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 155,500
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Learning Design Theory
Instructional Systems Design
E-Learning Development
Learning Analytics
Multimedia for Learning
Educational Technology Integration
Open and Distance Learning Design
Educational Research Methods
User Experience Design for Learning
Thesis or Capstone Project

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Learning Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines learning design theory, learning sciences, and pedagogical frameworks for creating effective learning experiences across educational contexts.
Instructional Systems Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers systematic design of instruction using models such as ADDIE, examining analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning systems.
Educational Technology Integration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines integrating technology into teaching and learning, covering technology selection, implementation frameworks, and evaluating technology impact.
Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting learning design research, preparing students for their thesis or capstone project.
E-Learning Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers designing and developing online and blended learning experiences, including learning management systems, online pedagogy, and digital content creation.
Multimedia for Learning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines designing multimedia learning experiences using cognitive load theory, multimedia principles, and creating effective educational media.
Learning Analytics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers using data to understand and improve learning, examining learning data collection, analysis, visualisation, and data-driven decision-making.
Open and Distance Learning Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines designing learning for open and distance education, covering course design, learner support, and assessment for distance learners.
User Experience Design for Learning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers designing learning interfaces and experiences, examining user-centred design, usability, and accessibility in educational technology.
Contemporary Issues in Learning Design and Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers current trends, challenges, and developments in learning design and technology, including AI in education, adaptive learning, and emerging technologies.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal or capstone project plan, including design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis or Capstone Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis or capstone project on a learning design and technology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and practical application, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Instructional Systems Design
Focuses on systematic design of instruction using models such as ADDIE, examining analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning systems.
E-Learning Development
Examines designing and developing online learning experiences, covering learning management systems, online pedagogy, and digital content creation.
Learning Analytics
Covers using data to understand and improve learning, examining learning data collection, analysis, visualisation, and data-driven decision-making.
Open and Distance Learning Design
Focuses on designing learning for open and distance education, covering course design, learner support, and assessment for distance learners.
Multimedia Learning Design
Examines designing multimedia learning experiences, covering cognitive load theory, multimedia principles, and creating effective educational media.
User Experience Design for Learning
Covers designing learning interfaces and experiences, examining user-centred design, usability, and accessibility in educational technology.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Ed. (Learning Design and Technology) programme combines online lectures, design projects, technology practicals, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover learning design theory, instructional systems, e-learning, and learning analytics. Learning design sessions examine systematic design models, learning theory, and pedagogical frameworks for creating effective learning experiences. Instructional systems sessions cover the ADDIE model and other systematic approaches to designing instruction. E-learning sessions examine designing online and blended learning, including learning management systems and online pedagogy. Learning analytics sessions cover using data to understand and improve learning, including data collection, analysis, and visualisation. Multimedia sessions examine creating educational media using cognitive load theory and multimedia learning principles. Open and distance learning sessions cover designing for distance learners, including course design, learner support, and assessment. User experience design sessions cover designing learning interfaces, usability, and accessibility. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis or capstone project, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Design projects involve creating real learning solutions for educational problems. Technology practicals provide hands-on experience with authoring tools, learning management systems, and analytics platforms. Online discussions and seminars provide opportunities for peer learning and debating current issues. Guest lectures from learning design practitioners and technology experts provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or capstone project on a learning design and technology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

The Open University of Kenya offers this programme at very affordable fees (KES 93,750/year) through open and distance learning, making it accessible to many learners.
Growing demand for learning design and technology skills as education systems increasingly adopt digital and blended learning.
Programme combines learning science with technology, providing versatile skills applicable in education, corporate training, and e-learning industries.
UoN provides detailed official fee structure on its department website, ensuring fee transparency.

Against it

Only two universities offer this specific programme, limiting institutional choice.
Significant fee variation between OUK (KES 93,750/year) and UoN (KES 155,500/year) requires careful cost-benefit analysis.
Rapidly evolving technology landscape requires continuous self-learning beyond the programme curriculum.
Programme may overlap with instructional methods and educational technology programmes, causing confusion for prospective students.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public94k to 156k

94k at The Open University of Kenya156k at University of Nairobi

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN Ed Tech 155.5K/yr (ect.uonbi.ac.ke). OUK 93.75K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). AIU 191K.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC supports teacher professional development. AECT and ISTE may provide professional development support. The Open University of Kenya's affordable fee structure makes the programme accessible to many learners.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Teacher Professional Development
AECT Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate education studies at recognised universities.
TSC Teacher Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Teachers Service Commission supports professional development for registered teachers pursuing postgraduate learning design and technology qualifications.
AECT Professional Development
GrantKsh 100,000
Association for Educational Communications and Technology supports professional development and research for educational technology professionals.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require a Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field with Upper Second Class Honours. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience may be considered. The Open University of Kenya may have additional requirements for open and distance learning. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework25% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, design projects, seminar presentations, and online participation.
Written Examinations
Examination35% of the mark
Written examinations covering learning design theory, instructional systems, educational technology, and e-learning development.
Practical Project Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through learning design projects, e-learning module development, multimedia creation, and demonstrating technology integration skills.
Research Thesis or Capstone Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or capstone project on a learning design and technology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and practical application, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The Open University of Kenya and the University of Nairobi (both public) offer master's programmes in learning design and technology or educational technology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate learning design and technology training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. The Open University of Kenya and the University of Nairobi (both public) offer master's programmes in learning design and technology or educational technology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate learning design and technology training. Graduates are eligible for TSC registration.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Learning Designer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Designs learning experiences for schools, universities, and organisations, overseeing instructional design, content development, and learning effectiveness evaluation.
Educational Technology Specialist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Supports technology integration in educational institutions, overseeing technology selection, teacher training, and evaluating technology impact on learning.
E-Learning Developer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops online and blended learning courses, overseeing e-learning design, content creation, and managing online learning platforms.
Instructional Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Coordinates instructional design and curriculum implementation in educational institutions, overseeing design, development, and quality assurance.
Teacher Educator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Educates future teachers on learning design and technology integration at university or college level.
Education Researcher
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts research on learning design and educational technology, overseeing research projects, publishing findings, and contributing to knowledge.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Moodle
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source learning management system widely used in Kenyan and global universities for delivering online and blended learning courses.
Articulate Storyline
Software
E-learning authoring tool for creating interactive online courses, assessments, and multimedia learning content.
Google Workspace for Education
Software
Google's education platform including Classroom, Drive, Docs, and other tools for teaching, learning, and educational collaboration.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for learning design research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Learning design and technology is just about using computers in education.
The programme covers systematic learning design, instructional theory, learning analytics, multimedia design, and research, not just basic computer use.
This is only for IT professionals.
Learning design and technology is for all educators who want to design effective learning experiences, regardless of their technical background.
Online learning is inferior to face-to-face learning.
Well-designed online learning can be as effective as or more effective than traditional instruction, and this programme teaches how to design quality online learning.
The Open University of Kenya qualification is less valuable than traditional university qualifications.
OUK is a fully accredited public university regulated by CUE, and its qualifications are recognised equally with those from other Kenyan universities.
Learning design is the same as instructional methods.
While related, learning design focuses on systematic design of learning experiences using technology, while instructional methods focuses on teaching strategies and approaches.
Technology will make teachers obsolete.
Technology enhances teaching but requires skilled learning designers and educators to create effective learning experiences, making this qualification increasingly valuable.