--- title: 2. Instructional Design Fundamentals Modules description: "These modules cover: how learners process and assimilate skills and knowledge; techniques to support this; the best delivery mediums for effective results." --- **** [![pacific-blue-logo-white](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20transparent.png?width=520&height=105&name=White%20transparent.png) ![Pacific Blue Logo](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Corporate%20blue%20transparent.png?width=520&height=105&name=Corporate%20blue%20transparent.png) ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk) [![LET'S TALK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/31306/0bee0e88-7dab-4481-aa27-3e0ea6439460.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/31306/0bee0e88-7dab-4481-aa27-3e0ea6439460) [**](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/design-fundamentals#tmpmodule_1565312155912709) ** #### Learning Re-Framed In-House Programme #### Articulate Storyline #### Learning Re-Framed Public Programme #### E-Learning Design Services #### Other Design and Support Services #### More ![Customers](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hubfs/Customers.jpg "Customers") ![Group discussion faces obscured - small](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20discussion%20faces%20obscured%20-%20small.jpg?width=640&height=427&name=Group%20discussion%20faces%20obscured%20-%20small.jpg) # Instructional Design Fundamentals Modules #### Designing learning around how skills are actually transferred — not how courses are traditionally built.   ## About the Design Fundamentals Modules Why is some learning more effective than others? Why do well-designed courses still fail to change behaviour? And how do you decide which delivery approach — classroom, virtual, digital, or blended — actually makes sense for what people need to do? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to those questions. But there are well-established principles that explain why some learning transfers smoothly into practice — and why other learning never does. The problem is that most instructional design focuses on what to teach and how to package it, rather than on the nature of the transfer challenge itself. This stream reframes instructional design around a more practical starting point: - what kind of transfer is actually required - how far learners need to move from where they are now, and - what that means for practice, support, and delivery choices Once you see learning through this lens, decisions about activities, blends, and formats become far clearer — and a lot of unnecessary design effort simply disappears.   ## What Are the Available Modules? There are two modules in our **Instructional Design Fundamentals** content stream:   ### IDF01: Successful skills transfer Skills and knowledge transfer sit at the heart of how learning succeeds — or fails — in real work contexts. This module introduces: - the skills and knowledge transfer continuum - the three types of transfer - how to identify the kind of transfer type you are working with, and - the implications this has for practice activities in your learning design **Module length**: 2 hours ![fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9.png?width=50&height=50&name=fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9.png) ![Woman at desk - nightime](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5816394/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg)   ### IDF02: Applying Blended Models With a clear picture of your learners, their needs, and the type of transfer required, you are in a strong position to make informed decisions about delivery approaches. This module introduces: - some key blended learning concepts - the broad programme models that people typically use for blended learning, and - our *Frequency, Complexity and Shelf-Life Matrix* to help you make smart decisions about which medium or mediums to use. **Module length**: 1.5 hours ![fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9.png?width=50&height=50&name=fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9.png) ![Blender](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5816394/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) ![ITOL Accredited Centre Logo](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9.png?width=180&height=180&name=fc1bb0cc-5961-4f91-ba6c-e0d2f2b195a9.png)   ## ITOL Accredited Certificates As an **ITOL Accredited Centre**, all our courses and programmes count towards badges, certificates or diplomas.  By including **any 4 modules** from the following content streams in your in-house programme (*Planning and Analysis*; *Instructional Design Fundamentals*; *Face-to-Face Classroom Design*) **and** successfully completing the formal end of modules assessment, you’ll receive an ITOL accredited **Certificate in Instructional Design Fundamental**s. ### Rethinking instructional design through the lens of real transfer If you’ve ever designed learning that looked solid on paper but didn’t quite translate into changed behaviour, you’re not alone. **Learning Re-Framed** is a weekly exploration of how learning connects to day-to-day work — and why many well-intentioned design decisions fail to deliver the impact we expect. From transfer types and practice design, to delivery choices and support beyond the course, each edition offers a small shift in perspective rather than a set of prescriptive rules. If you’re interested in strengthening your instructional design by understanding what really enables skills to transfer, you’re very welcome to subscribe.   [![SUBSCRIBE TO LEARNING RE-FRAMED](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/31306/interactive-204447066248.png) ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLUaUTwJOgxWOdXyDJ5nNKmW94TvYhvFkdk0Z0aPZh%2FDT2OBSwxDBh1UDkmIO0UKzyr%2Bpgc8m1ktzjp%2BituZhnGzc9EazmJi0q76bzIfMbSd5mbdwX38bY4KCbP0p%2Be3lk8Ipk5P%2FpKeuy4usrbN3tWdUL%2FqUZT7IuBiHQBMnL38tS%2Bjkow1oA%3D&webInteractiveContentId=204447066248&portalId=31306) ![Instructional design](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5816394/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg)   ## Available Delivery Mediums All of the modules in the **Instructional Design Fundamentals** content stream are available in the following delivery mediums: #### 1. In-Person Classroom An in-person, in-house course happens on your premises at a date or dates convenient to you. Any trainer travel or accommodation expenses associated with delivery, are re-charged to you. ** #### 2. Live Online Virtual Classroom A live online virtual classroom programme means all sessions are held over the web at a date or dates convenient to you. Attendees need a desktop or laptop computer and a stable broadband connection. ** ## Download a Learning Re-Framed Programme Brochure... If you need more information about our **Learning Re-Framed** **in-house or public programme** download one of the comprehensive brochures shown below: [![Classroom course](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=640&height=427&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### In-House Programme Brochure ##### CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/instructional-design-training-in-house-brochure) [![Trainer showing group a big screen - small](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=640&height=427&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### Public Programme Brochure ##### CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/instructional-design-training-public-and-self-study-brochure)   ## Browse More Modules? Ready to take a look at the modules in other content streams? Use the links below or the main site menu above. [![Evaluating Training In-House](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=640&height=427&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### Optimising Learning and Performance ##### Go To Modules ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/optimising-learning-and-performance-modules) [![Two people working with post-it notes - small](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=640&height=480&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### Planning and Analysis ##### Go To Modules ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/planning-and-analysis) [![Happy man](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=640&height=426&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### e-Instructional Design ##### Go To Modules ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/e-instructional-design) [![Zoom meeting with coffee mug - small](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=640&height=480&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### Virtual Classroom Design ##### Go To Modules ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/virtual-classroom-modules) [![Trainer helping female student - small](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/5816394/hubfs/CLEAN-images/gfx/lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg?width=623&height=427&name=lazy-placeholder-350x200.jpg) #### Face-to-Face Classroom Design ##### Go To Modules ](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/face-to-face-classroom-design-modules)   ## Ready to put together a programme or just need some help?   ### Get some help If you have any questions, or need some help with any aspect of the programme:   **Click on the button below to use our help form**; call us on **0845 122 7102** or email us at: [enquiry@pacificblue.co.uk](mailto:enquiry@pacificblue.co.uk)     [Click to ask your question or get help](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/design-fundamentals#tmp1_widget_1592674026873)   ### Putting it all together If you are ready to put your modules together into a customised in-house course, take a look at the [**How does it all work**?](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/how-does-it-all-work) page. This explains how you can put together the modules you want into a customised programme. - The minimum length for a programme is half a day face-to-face or 3 hours of virtual classroom time - The maximum length is determined by however many modules you want to include ### Get help Use the form below to contact us about your question or message:   ## A practical starting point for instructional design fundamentals   If you’re looking for a simple, structured introduction to core instructional design principles, this guide offers a clear and practical starting point. The **Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Instructional Design** focuses on the foundations that underpin effective learning design, including how to: - avoid content-heavy, presentation-driven learning - build meaningful practice into your designs - support learners to apply what they’ve learned back in the workplace The guide is intentionally practical and works well alongside [the broader thinking explored in **Learning Re-Framed**](https://learningreframed.substack.com/) — particularly if you’re looking to strengthen your design fundamentals before going deeper. ![Signpost small](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Signpost%20small.png?width=427&name=Signpost%20small.png)   ##### Impact and Instructional Design - Guides Impact and Instructional Design - Guides ##### Learning Re-Framed Programmes Learning Re-Framed Programmes ##### Storyline Training - Courses Storyline Training - Courses ##### E-Learning Design - Guides and Toolkits E-Learning Design - Guides and Toolkits [![White transparent-2](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20transparent-2.png?width=150&height=30&name=White%20transparent-2.png "White transparent-2")](https://www.pacificblue.co.uk) Copyright © 2026 Pacific Blue Solutions Ltd ** ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/1071354352/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)