Piloting Online Course Designs: The Smart Approach to Testing and Scaling Digital Learning
Introduction
Developing an effective online course or degree programme is a significant investment, requiring careful planning and strategic decision-making. Before committing resources to a full-scale rollout, universities and educational institutions can benefit from piloting their course designs—a critical step that allows for real-world testing, refinement, and validation of digital learning strategies.
At Learning Design Solutions (LDS), we work with universities and educational organisations to design, implement, and evaluate pilot courses, ensuring they are well-structured, engaging, and scalable. Our experience includes piloting online course designs for ICAS, the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, and Reel Connections, helping these organisations refine their approach before committing to broader deployment.
What is a Pilot Course?
A pilot course is a small-scale, test version of an online course or programme, designed to assess its effectiveness before full implementation. Typically, a pilot involves:
A limited cohort of learners, often internal staff or early adopters.
A sample selection of content—not necessarily the full course, but key components.
The use of analytics and feedback mechanisms to evaluate engagement, effectiveness, and learning outcomes.
Iterative improvements based on findings, ensuring the final version is high-quality, scalable, and impactful.
Why Pilot an Online Course?
A pilot phase can offer significant advantages to universities and organisations developing online learning strategies:
1. Validate Course Design & Learning Approach
Ensure that the pedagogical approach is effective for online delivery.
Test the engagement levels of multimedia content, assessments, and interactive elements.
Identify whether the course meets the intended learning outcomes before a full launch.
2. Gather Real Learner Feedback
Gain insights from a small cohort of test learners on what works and what needs improvement.
Use analytics to assess learner engagement, drop-off points, and comprehension gaps.
Collect qualitative feedback to improve the learner experience and support needs.
3. Identify Technical & Accessibility Issues
Ensure the course functions seamlessly on different devices and platforms.
Test LMS integration, video playback, and interactive components.
Verify compliance with accessibility standards to support all learners.
4. Reduce Risk & Improve ROI
A pilot helps institutions avoid costly mistakes in full programme launches.
Enables adjustments to course structure, content, and delivery methods before scaling.
Ensures a smoother transition to large-scale delivery with minimal disruption.
How Learning Design Solutions Can Help
At LDS, we support universities and educational institutions through every stage of the pilot course process, ensuring that pilots provide meaningful insights and lead to successful course rollouts. Our approach includes:
✔️ Strategic Planning & Pilot Design – Identifying key objectives, structuring the pilot, and selecting the right learners.
✔️ Course Development & Testing – Developing high-quality, small-scale pilot content that reflects the full programme’s intent.
✔️ Facilitation & Learner Engagement – Managing learner interaction, support mechanisms, and data collection throughout the pilot.
✔️ Evaluation & Iteration – Analysing learner feedback and engagement data, providing actionable recommendations for course refinement.
Proven Success: Our Pilot Course Experience
LDS has worked with a range of organisations to successfully pilot online learning strategies:
ICAS – Piloted online course components to test their digitally transformed Chartered Accountant qualification. Read the case study.
Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology – Supported a pilot course to test online learning models for engineering education. Read the case study
Reel Connections – Developed a short-course model for creative sector education, demonstrating how pilot courses can work outside traditional university settings. Read the case study
These pilot projects helped organisations fine-tune their digital learning approaches, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure high-quality learner experiences before full implementation.
Next Steps: Ready to Pilot Your Online Course?
If your institution is developing an online course or degree programme, a pilot phase can provide invaluable insights before a full-scale launch. At Learning Design Solutions, we help universities and organisations create effective, scalable, and engaging pilot courses that set the foundation for long-term success.
Book a Consultation to explore how LDS can support your pilot course development and ensure your digital learning strategy is built for success.