Ranga Auaha Ako
Learning and Teaching Design Team
We are learning designers and technologists with a commitment to enhancing teaching through improving course and assessment design.
What we do
We support academic staff through practical, creative, and research-informed advice, and provide training and professional learning for teaching opportunities. Our work aligns closely with strategic initiatives such as the Signature Pedagogical Practices, TeachWell Framework, and the University’s vision, Taumata Teitei—helping you translate these priorities into inclusive, impactful learning experiences.
Our team
Associate Director Learning and Teaching Design
Senior Learning Designer, Team Lead
Senior Learning Designer, Team Lead
Head of Elearning, Team Lead
Senior Learning Designer, Team Lead
Learning Technologist
Senior Application Specialist
Learning Designer
Digital Experience Developer
Learning Technologist
Learning Designer
Learning Designer
Learning Designer
Learning Designer
Learning Designer
What we bring
Our learning designers and learning technologists each bring their own strengths, interests, and expertise in:
- Curriculum and course design
- Assessment strategy and academic integrity
- Inclusive and accessible learning
- Blended, online, and in-person teaching
- Cultural capability, indigenous, and kaupapa Māori pedagogies
- Learning technologies and digital tools
- Staff capability-building and facilitation
What is learning design and why does it matter?
Learning design is more than delivering content or using digital tools. At its heart, it’s the intentional, research-informed planning of student engagement, learning, and assessment. As teaching and higher education evolve—especially with rapid changes like generative AI—thoughtful learning design is more important than ever.
Through our team, you have access to support that ensures your course is inclusive, high-quality, and future-ready, helping you translate big ideas and policy into teaching that truly works for you and your students.
Good learning design helps you teach with greater clarity and purpose.
Learning design gives structure to your ideas, helps you sequence learning in ways that build understanding, and creates space for meaningful student engagement. Whether you’re designing new activities, refining assessments, or wanting to get the most out of Canvas and other educational tools, learning design provides the frameworks and support to make it all work for you and your students.
Whether you’re developing new materials, adapting for changing needs, or seeking practical improvements, our team is here to help you get there.
How can learning design improve your course?
Want to work with us?
If you’re interested in working with us, reach out through the TeachWell Consult service, or speak with your faculty about initiating a project.
TeachWell Consult
Up to 3 hours
a) Send a consultaton request and we’ll be in touch.
b) Reach out to the learning designer for your faculty.
Feedback on assessment design, Canvas tweaks, ideas for active learning, course structure advice, relational learning strategies, accessibility practices, designing assessments, AI advice, etc.
Project requests
3 – 12 weeks
Targeted course redesign, reworking assessment structure, aligning activities to outcomes, etc.
Beyond 12 weeks
New course builds, major course redesigns, curriculum integration.
Additional ways we support teaching
Beyond collaborative projects, we also offer professional learning opportunities to help you grow your teaching practice. These include:
- Professional Learning Series—Facilitated and self-paced sessions on topics like blended learning, generative AI, course design, and assessment. Some are co-run with academic staff.
- Learning Futures CoI—A monthly community of practice forum for academic staff sharing and exploring future-focused teaching.
- Workshops by our learning technologists—Practical sessions on Canvas, design tools, accessibility practices, and similar.
Page updated 11/09/2025 (minor edit)