Professional standards for learning design

Mapping values, practices and professional identity

Abstract

Learning design as a profession remains in a liminal space, increasingly central to digital education yet without the formal recognition or collective voice enjoyed by other professional domains. This panel addresses the current lack of shared professional standards by asking: What values, practices and indicators of quality might form the basis of a professional standards framework for learning designers? Drawing on established models from education and technology professions, and sociological theories of professionalisation, the panel invites ASCILITE participants to collaboratively explore what such a framework might look like, how it should be developed, and why it matters. Through guided provocations and participatory workshop activities, attendees will help shape a draft map of core values, domains of practice and levels of expertise, forming the foundation for further community-led work.