Coursework & Training
AICI coursework is structured as a sequenced studio pathway for educators and instructional designers. Each course deepens fluency in The Aletheian Design Theory of Learning (ADTL): where educators become designers of possibility through artifacts, critique, and implementation.
Six courses, one capstone.
Each course builds on the last, moving from foundational theory to a portfolio that documents your evolution as an Aletheian designer of learning.
Foundations of the Aletheian Design Theory of Learning
Entry point into ADTL and design-centered pedagogy.
Build a working understanding of ADTL's pillars, the Aletheian Learning Cycle, and the role of the educator as an ethical designer of understanding.
- Unpacking Cognitive Design, Cultural Connection, and Aesthetic Experience.
- Guided reading and studio annotation of the core ADTL paper.
- Introduction to the Aletheian Learning Cycle (ALC) and Aletheian Workflow (AWDL).
- Map an existing lesson against ADTL pillars and ALC stages.
- Build your personal pedagogical brand identity.
- Mini design critiques using small-scale redesigns.
- Explain the core claims of ADTL with clarity and precision.
- Diagnose cognitive and aesthetic gaps in instruction.
- Describe teaching decisions as design decisions.
- Reflective essay: "My teaching through ADTL."
- One redesigned instructional artifact.
- Participation in critique and revision cycles.
Visual Literacy & Instructional Aesthetics
Deepens Cognitive Design and Aesthetic Experience.
Treat design as pedagogy, using layout, hierarchy, and visual rhythm to make complex ideas visible and memorable.
- Principles of visual hierarchy and instructional clarity.
- Diagramming and concept-map design for cognitive architecture.
- The classroom environment as a learning interface.
- Slide deck transformations from text-heavy to visual narratives.
- Create a learning gallery with concept maps.
- Redesign a concept using three visual modes.
- Apply visual literacy principles to instructional design.
- Evaluate visuals for clarity and cognitive load.
- Align visuals to your pedagogical brand identity.
- Portfolio of three redesigned visuals.
- Environmental design plan.
- Participation in critique and refinement.
AI-Integrated Curriculum Design
Applies ADTL to AI-supported design workflows.
Use AI as a studio collaborator to prototype Aletheian-aligned learning sequences, visuals, and artifacts.
- ADTL-aligned prompting and AI collaboration.
- Mapping AI outputs back into the AWDL cycle.
- Ethical evaluation using the Aletheian Ethical Design Code.
- Co-design an AI-assisted unit skeleton.
- AI critique labs using ADTL analysis.
- Create a cohesive AI-assisted visual media set.
- Write prompts using ADTL vocabulary and constraints.
- Audit AI-generated artifacts for cognitive and cultural integrity.
- Integrate AI into human-centered design practice.
- Full AI-integrated unit prototype.
- Ethical reflection and revision log.
- Peer review and critique cycle participation.
The Studio Aletheia Design Lab
Applied practicum in design-centered instruction.
Design, prototype, and test Aletheian learning experiences with real data, critique, and iteration.
- Translating AWDL into design briefs and studio plans.
- Design sprints and mid-cycle redesign.
- Data-informed refinement for instruction.
- Team-based studio cycles with critique walls.
- Pilot implementation of ALC stages.
- Gallery walks and stakeholder feedback.
- Translate theory into real learning experiences.
- Use observational evidence to refine design decisions.
- Operate within collaborative design teams.
- Piloted design project with AWDL documentation.
- Studio log and reflection.
- Design critique presentation.
Assessment as Design
Reframes assessment through ADTL and design ethics.
Transform assessment into a designed architecture of thinking, where portfolios and artifacts reveal learning aesthetically and intellectually.
- Assessment through Cognitive Design and Cultural Connection.
- Rubrics that honor aesthetic cognition.
- Portfolio-based assessment aligned to ADTL domains.
- Redesign tests into design-centered performance tasks.
- Build an Aletheian portfolio structure.
- Co-create criteria with learners.
- Align assessments with ADTL domains.
- Design rubrics that capture design decision-making.
- Use reflection as evidence and process.
- Completed design-centered assessment task.
- Portfolio map and scoring guide.
- Assessment reflection and critique notes.
Capstone: The Aletheia Instructional Portfolio
Culminating synthesis of ADTL practice.
Compile and present a complete instructional portfolio documenting your evolution as an Aletheian designer of learning.
- Curating ADTL-aligned evidence.
- Portfolio narrative writing.
- Planning next-stage ADTL implementation.
- Portfolio labs and sequencing critique.
- Create a visual timeline of design evolution.
- Capstone presentation to cohort and panel.
- Articulate design-centered educator identity.
- Demonstrate transfer across contexts.
- Plan future ADTL-based leadership and inquiry.
- Complete Instructional Portfolio.
- Capstone reflective synthesis.
- Final critique participation.