Learning Sciences for Innovators - Sustainable EdTech for Africa | Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Develop expertise in learning sciences through self-paced certificate courses.

Courses are free to Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellows and Hubs

A sample certificate for an AI course offered by Carnegie Mellon University and signed by three faculty.

Complete all the courses in a series to receive a digital certificate of completion to add to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Our Courses

Learning Science

Motivation by Design: Helping Learners Stick with your EdTech Product

This course series explores how to design EdTech experiences that do more than capture attention, they support lasting learner motivation, confidence, and growth. Grounded in learning science and product design, the series equips you with the tools to move beyond surface-level engagement and build products that learners return to because they’re genuinely invested.

You’ll start by uncovering what motivation really is, how it influences learning outcomes, and how design decisions can either support or undermine it. From there, you’ll learn how to guide users through the early stages of their journey with effective onboarding, personalized pathways, and well-designed rewards. The final course focuses on long-term strategies – how to respond when motivation dips, foster social and emotional connection, and help learners develop a sense of purpose and identity through your product.

  • Designing for Motivation in EdTech
  • Designing Product Experiences that Motivate Learners
  • Supporting and Sustaining Motivation Over Time

Whether you’re creating a new learning tool or improving an existing one, this series will give you the insight and strategies to design for motivation at every stage – so learners don’t just get started, they keep going.

Learn more about this series or register.

Learning Science

Educational Game Design

The Educational Game Design series explores how games can be used to teach, engage, and inspire. Whether you’re an educator, instructional designer, or aspiring game creator, this three-course series will guide you through the fundamentals of educational game design, the learning science behind effective games, and the hands-on development process.

  • Foundations of Educational Game Design: Learn the basics of game mechanics, educational alignment, and player engagement.
  • Learning Sciences and Educational Games: Explore how motivation, cognitive science, and data-driven design shape effective educational games.
  • Designing and Developing Educational Games: Apply practical methods for ideation, prototyping, playtesting, and iteration to create engaging and effective learning experiences.

By the end of this series, you’ll have the skills to design and develop educational games that are both fun and effective, using proven strategies to make learning more engaging and impactful.

Learn more about this series or register.

Learning Science

AI in Education: From Foundations to Innovations

Embark on a comprehensive journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence and its transformative impact on education, spanning topics from foundational AI to cutting-edge application of AI in educational technology.

You’ll explore the entire AI landscape, beginning with the evolution of AI from its basic concepts to sophisticated Large Language Models. You’ll gain a solid understanding of how machines learn, think, and generate human-like content. As you progress, you’ll bridge theory and practice, learning how to integrate Generative AI into educational products by harnessing the power of Large Language Models and APIs to create intelligent, responsive learning tools. The series culminates in examining the design of AI-enhanced learning experiences, where you’ll discover how to leverage Generative AI to create personalized, engaging, and adaptive educational content and systems.

  • AI Overview from Machine Learning to GenAI
  • Using GenAI to Improve Your Edtech Workflow
  • Integrating Learner-Facing GenAI Into Your Product

Whether you’re an educator, EdTech professional, or AI enthusiast, this series will provide you with the knowledge and skills to navigate and shape the future of AI-powered education, from foundational concepts to practical applications and innovative designs.

Learn more about this series or register.

Learning Science

Cultivating Personal and Interpersonal Growth in EdTech

Focusing on both personal and interpersonal growth in education is essential. These areas are profoundly interconnected and critical for overall well-being and success. Personal growth fosters self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability, which are fundamental for tackling personal challenges and achieving individual goals. Meanwhile, interpersonal growth enhances our ability to communicate, collaborate, and empathize with others, playing a crucial role in building strong, supportive relationships and thriving in social or professional teams. Together, these growth aspects ensure a well-rounded development, preparing individuals to navigate both their inner landscapes and external interactions effectively.

In this course series, we explore ways to foster both personal and interpersonal growth in e-learning environments.

  • Integrating Mindset and Social Emotional Learning in EdTech
  • Integrating Collaborative Learning in EdTech

Learn more about this series or register.

Learning Science

Multimedia for e-Learning

The Multimedia Principles, developed by Richard Mayer, outline guidelines for effective multimedia inclusion in e-learning. These principles are crucial for learning because they optimize how learners engage with instructional materials, enhancing comprehension, retention, and transfer of knowledge.

The Multimedia Principles are covered in three courses:

  • Essential Learning: Focusing on Key Elements
  • Efficient Learning: Minimizing Mental Strain
  • Generative Learning: Promoting In-depth Understanding

This foundational course sequence is especially relevant to Instructional Designers, UX Designers, and Developers who craft e-learning experiences.

Learn more about this series or register.

Learning Science

Intro to Learning Engineering

Learning Engineering, pioneered by Herb Simon at Carnegie Mellon University, blends science and technology to optimize learning outcomes, improving effectiveness and efficiency. This interdisciplinary field integrates insights from learning sciences, instructional design, data analytics, and technology to develop learning solutions.

Throughout the courses in this sequence, you’ll delve into essential concepts and processes at the heart of Learning Engineering, building a foundational understanding.

  • E-Learning Foundational Theories and Principles
  • Designing Clear Learning Goals
  • Designing Assessments for Learning

This course sequence is not only useful for instructional technologists, but anyone who supports edtech (in any role) can benefit from this foundational course.

Learn more about this series or register.

Carnegie Mellon University’s online courses are offered through Torus, a next-generation open platform for developing, delivering, improving, and researching adaptive learning experiences.

Meet with course authors and designers

We encourage you to register for one or more Zoom office hour sessions, which our team hosts on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 10:00 EDT/ 16:00 CAT. These office hours are a great opportunity to ask questions and network with the course instructors, our learning engineers, and other learners like you.

  • Register for 2nd Wednesdays when Dr. Ken Koedinger, who is the Director of the Masters of Educational Technology and Applied Learning Sciences (METALS) program, will be available
  • Register for 4th Wednesdays when you will have the opportunity to speak with our learning engineers