Carpe Diem - A team based approach to learning design

A good way of creating fast, effective, forward looking learning design is to use a team-based learning design process called Carpe Diem. The idea behind Carpe Diem is that every moment of the time during the workshop is spent on designing something that can be put into immediate use with learners – so I use the term ‘Carpe Diem’, Latin for ‘Seize the Day’. 


Storyboarding is a key element in Carpe Diem.
​Learn more about how to do it here.

Carpe Diem Resources

Carpe Diem Work Book

Below is the general workbook used in Carpe Diem workshops.  
Please feel free to download this resource to support your Carpe Diem Facilitation Journey.
Workbooks are licensed under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license:

carpe_diem_planning_process_workbook_webversion1june2020.pdf
File Size: 1069 kb
File Type: pdf
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​Carpe Diem Further Reading

For further reading about the implementation of Carpe Diem at universities around the world,  consult the articles and reports here, as well as the Publications page.

Carpe Diem - for Modules : Process

The Carpe Diem process is broken up into six steps;
  1. Write a blueprint – envision the future
    Here you work together in your Carpe Diem pods to lay out the essential aspects of what you aim to achieve.
    Your output will be an agreed mission statement
  2. Make a storyboard – become a designer
    Here you draw out the process of your learning, teaching and assessment in a visual way, working out your schedule, a sense of flow and alignment between the components. Use the 5 stage model as a rough scaffold and your calendar for the delivery of the learning to participants to help you plan. It’s your plan for transformation and impact.
  3. Build your prototype online
    Now you try out your design in the online environment, and create some real practical testable e-tivities.
  4. Check reality
    Your designs are tried out by your colleagues as ‘reality checkers’, to give you productive feedback. Let them have a go and then listen carefully to their feedback. Try not to be too defensive. You will be doing the same for others.
  5. Review and adjust
    Preview the work so far, make adjustments, refine timings, flag up places to return to, indicate what additional work is needed and who should be responsible for it. You are ready to do the action plan when you can see a way from the storyboard and prototypes to an operational design vision of your online or blended course.
  6. Planning your next steps
    Now the team is ready to build an action plan together.
Carpe Diem at Stellenbosch University, South Africa 2017 

Presentations about Carpe Diem


Carpe Diem Come of Age: Learning Design for Programmes

Presented at the OEB Conference in Berlin, December 2017


​Carpe Diem April 2017











Carpe Diem Workshop on Storyboarding - December 2014

















Carpe Diem Workshop  August 2015, Cape Town South Africa - Emerging Technologies and Authentic Learning in Vocational Higher Education














Carpe Diem MOOC: Practical Lessons Learnt







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​Further slide resources can be found on the Other Media page or on Gilly Salmon's Slideshare.

Carpe Diem Videos


​An Overview of Carpe Diem

Creating a Blueprint for Carpe Diem

Start With The End In Mind - Feedback and Assessment

Planning Learning Design Through Storyboards.
Storyboards for Learning Design - An Action Example

​The 5 Stage Model

Building E-tivities

Reality Checking - A Carpe Diem Process