What I Learned While Designing My Blended Learning Course: Challenges, Growth, and What I’d Do Differently Next Time

Designing a blended learning course has been one of the most rewarding—and humbling—experiences of my instructional journey. Even with years of experience in curriculum and instruction, stepping into the role of designer for a fully blended environment challenged me in new and unexpected ways. As I reflect on the development process, several key lessons stand out, along with a clearer sense of what I would adjust the next time around.

Challenge 1: Balancing Digital Tools With Instructional Purpose

One of the biggest challenges I faced was ensuring that every digital tool aligned intentionally with my learning goals. With so many high-quality platforms available—EdPuzzle, Padlet, Threadly, Canva videos, and more—it was tempting to add tools simply because they were engaging. At times, I found myself redesigning activities because the technology overshadowed the pedagogy.

What I’d do differently:

Next time, I will begin with a tighter structure of “technology by purpose,” mapping each tool to a specific instructional strategy (e.g., formative assessment, collaboration, reflection, modeling). This will help me preserve simplicity and avoid overwhelming learners with too many platforms.