What is instructional design?
You’ve heard of instructional design. Perhaps you’re wondering, what do instructional designers do? The goal of instructional design is to facilitate learning. We interpret this as helping people transfer new knowledge and skills so they can apply it to previously un-encountered situations. Instructional designers use a process that identifies the performance gaps of a target audience. Then we create or selects learning experiences that close this gap. The best instructional designers use evidence-based learning theories and best practices from the field.
As a range of resources are increasingly available for learning, instructional designers are now able to offer different types of blended learning experiences rather than only individual courses. See A Look into the Future below for more on this.
What is the instructional design process?
Start with Analysis and Design
Although the approaches people use to design and develop online instructional events vary widely, the common denominator is that the process is systematic (but flexible) and iterative. In the workplace, the process often starts with a performance problem. We then analyze the audience and the context to identify the cause of the problem and whether training will be a solution. If so, we define the requirements and specifications. The process typically goes through a design and prototyping phase to communicate and/or test out one’s ideas.
Proceed to Development and Production
Following this, comes some sort of development, such as writing storyboards, test items, manuals, discussion questions, etc. In eLearning, there is a production phase that involves creating multimedia and programming running lessons with an authoring tool. Prior to going live with any course, good designers and developers follow a Quality Assurance process. They also use a continuous evaluation process to assess the effectiveness of a learning experience.
The Learning Experience
Generally, the instructional design process results in a set of one or more learning events or experiences. Design and development are more of an iterative than a linear process. For more detail on this process, see A Framework for Developing Online Learning and Best Practices for Blended Learning.
Design Thinking Methods
The standard instructional design process can be enriched by including Design Thinking methods. Design Thinking provides ways to generate innovative solutions. In many environments, instructional designers need to be creative on demand. Design Thinking methods can help.
What does an instructional designer do?
The tasks that an eLearning designer conducts are so varied that it would be difficult to list them all. Instead, I’d like to list the Instructional Design competencies identified by the IBSPI (International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction). These competencies are brief and obviously do not include everything, but it will give you a sense of what instructional designers might do. Not every instructional designer performs all of these tasks, as some are for those who are more advanced in their career.
Professional Foundations
- Communicate effectively in visual, oral and written form.
- Apply current research and theory to the practice of instructional design.
- Update and improve one’s knowledge, skills and attitudes pertaining to instructional design and related fields.
- Apply fundamental research skills to instructional design projects.
- Identify and resolve ethical and legal implications of design in the workplace.
Planning and Analysis
- Conduct a needs assessment.
- Design a curriculum or program.
- Select and use a variety of techniques for determining instructional content.
- Identify and describe target population characteristics.
- Analyze the characteristics of the environment.
- Analyze the characteristics of existing and emerging technologies and their use in an instructional environment.
- Reflect upon the elements of a situation before finalizing design solutions and strategies.
Design and Development
- Select, modify, or create a design and development model appropriate for a given project.
- Select and use a variety of techniques to define and sequence the instructional content and strategies.
- Select or modify existing instructional materials.
- Develop instructional materials.
- Design instruction that reflects an understanding of the diversity of learners and groups of learners.
- Evaluate and assess instruction and its impact.
Implementation and Management
- Plan and manage instructional design projects.
- Promote collaboration, partnerships and relationships among the participants in a design project.
- Apply business skills to managing instructional design.
- Design instructional management systems.
- Provide for the effective implementation of instructional products and programs.
A Look into the Future
As organizations accept alternative forms of learning in the workplace, the role of some instructional designers is changing. In addition to creating the structured types of courses described above, instructional designers will be asked to enable learning by creating supportive environments. This might include managing an online community, promoting collaboration and discussion through social technologies, curating content, and teaching experts how to generate and share their own content.
Some practitioners currently think that the label, instructional designer, is too narrow a title. They prefer the term learning experience designer. Instructional designers who keep up with the rapid pace of change have an exciting career to look forward to. See more about Learning Experience Design (LXD).
If you’re interested in learning the skills needed to design learning experiences, see my membership community, Mastering Instructional Design. You’ll find self-paced and live virtual courses, a vibrant community, bimonthly video calls and an instructional design toolkit with job aids.
If you want to find out more about a career in instructional design, download my quick read eBook below.
I’m sorry I don’t know anything about most of the programs listed there. So, it doesn’t mean it’s not a good program. Perhaps it wasn’t around when I was creating the list or perhaps I missed it. I think you should contact the program and talk to the director and also ask if you can talk to any graduates.
Hi Connie,
Many thanks for the information and knowledge you share with everyone. I would like to ask you if you heard anything about the Instructional Design MasterTrackâą Certificate at the University of Illinois, at Urbana-Champaign. I haven’t found it in the list you kindly created. What do you think is it worth it? As a means of diving in the field and starting a new career? Thank you!
Hi Gwendolyn,
I respectfully disagree with you. Instructional designers close the knowledge and skill gaps as well as change attitudes using a variety of learning experiences. Learning is a journey and there are many types of experiences that can build competence, such as discussion forums, learning cohorts, simulations, learning games, job aids (and study aids for education), videos, manuals, podcasts, eLearning, etc. Instructional designers can design any of these, it’s just that IDs are often underused in higher education so you may not see this as often as in workplace (corporate, government, non-profits) training.
Connie
My question to you is why do you not have the direct answer on your Webpage about what Instructional Designer do?
The simple answer is Instructional Designers design online line courses, in the world of academia, ID’s have to have all the skills that you list to understand how to design content however the bottom line is, and should be listed in the very first paragraph of your webpage Instructional Designers Design Online Courses.
All the information that is on your webpage is great.
Hi Hilary,
Do you mean a teacher in a virtual classroom? Often eLearning is understood as a self-paced asynchronous event, whereas a teacher could be working in a synchronous virtual classroom or could record lectures for asynchronous use.
Connie
HELLO ALL,
WHAT IS THE WORK DESCRIPTION OF AN E-LEARNING TEACHER?
Hi Lihle,
You have one of the most important qualities of an effective instructional designer. Seeing things through the perspective of the participant/user/learner. I hope you stick with it. Thanks for sharing your story.
Connie
Hi Connie
I am a teacher by profession but I let teaching 2 years ago and landed myself internship as an Instructional Designer (ID) in one of the South Africa Universities.I design fully online modules,working with different content expects and the expectations regarding course development varies.The experience is amazing as I now embody numerous roles in the process e.g consultant,content developer etc.
When I was a digital immigrant student (in the same University), it was hard for me to navigate and got to understand how Learning Management System operates,I would get confused to the point of even submitting my assignments privately (via emails) and this was acceptable.As I am not an Instructional Designer I design the module such that it gives clearer instructions to the audience (students),I do not want participants to experience what I went through.
I am looking forward to learn more from your course so as to strengthening my ID skills.
Kind Regards
Lihle
Abhipsa,
I think you already are one, LOL. Developing eLearning modules is not the only career path of the instructional designer. There are many paths and it sounds like you are competent in many aspects of ID. If you want to learn more about developing eLearning in particular, I’d look for online courses at ATD (https://www.td.org/education-courses) and sites like lynda.com or udemy.com or see if there are professional development classes at universities, such as certification courses. Here’s my list of programs (scroll down for the certification courses): https://theelearningcoach.com/resources/instructional-design-programs/. I hope this helps.
Connie
Great post Connie!
I am a L&D professional and have experience in the entire learning process: TNA, TNI, Content development, Delivery and also TTT. My question is all these are part of ID then how is it different than what I generally do? Second thing, if it is about developing eLearning modules, what kind of course should I do to become an ID?
Regards
Abhipsa
Hi Tahira,
You’re right that there are similarities between the two fields. You can get a better idea of the career by signing up for my free 12-lesson course: Breaking Into Instructional Design. That will give you an idea of your next steps. I would also suggest reading a few books about instructional design. Best wishes on a fulfilling new career.
Best,
Connie
Hi,
Thanks for sharing an informative post. I am a teacher by profession. I am a teacher by profession and interested in transitioning to instructional designer. I see many elements between teaching and instructional designing are common. Do you think I need to take additional course / certification to pursue instructional designing. And are there any scholarship or grants if I want to take course work. Kindly guide…
Hi There,
I’d appreciate it if you would just be straight about it and say “here is an article I wrote or that is on my site. Will you please link to it and help me get more traffic?”
Connie
Great read. Try to read this one. It’s all about elearning instructional design process https://blog.weevur.io/5-ways-to-optimize-your-elearning-instructional-design-process-2a4b2a17a4a8
Hi Brad,
Thanks for your comment. I can see why you were disappointed in this career and why it isn’t a good fit. I do not know if there are IDs who specialize in infographics and data visualization, but I know people get into that field with many different backgrounds. I think your training in analysis and design will be a real asset in your new field and I’m guessing you will do well. Best of luck,
Connie
I’ve been working as a Learning Designer and Developer for the past five years. I even have a Master’s degree in the field. I’m disappointed in the career though. Most of these jobs require you to “wear many hats” and what results is expedient work that at times results in lower quality output. I actually regret pursuing this career path. I’m now transitioning into the area of infographics and data visualization projects? Are there IDs who specialize in this specific area?
Hi June,
I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer and it probably depends on the person, their knowledge and previous experience. Why don’t you take my free course on having a career in instructional design and perhaps it will help you make a decision: http://breakingintoid.com. Feel free to let us know what you think. Someone else might have the same question.
Best,
Connie
Is it easier to become an Instructional Designer than it is to be a Technical Writer?
Great question, Charlie. As a competent IDer, if you are willing to do more study to fine-tune your knowledge of a new area, I think you have the base set of skills for many other careers, including: technical writer, educational technology specialist or teacher, communications and media specialist, user experience designer, user interface designer, interaction designer or quality assurance specialist. Any career that requires understanding how people understand, learn and communicate would be good. I would definitely recommend having a few informational interviews in your potential choices and then completing some practice and study in your new possible career prior to interviewing. If relevant, make a portfolio.
Good luck!
Best,
Connie
Hope I’m not too late to this discussion. I loved reading your post, a great insight into what you need to enjoy/be good at to have a fulfilling career as an instructional designer. I became an instructional designer about 8 years ago after I moved from an Admin/Project Coordinator role in a training organisation. I decided it’s not the career for me quite early on for many of the reasons above and now I’ve decided to try and work on a career change. My question is…What else can you do with an instructional design background? How do you approach a career change not in to but from instructional design.
It is true that instructional designers may do a lot of writing in many job positions. I do not think they are typically considered authors though. I do think the career, in the correct position, does help to improve writing and could develop to being an author, in particular, of non-fiction.
Hi Connie
From the profile you have detailed above, it seems that almost an entire book is created by ID writers. As people in this job develop original content, are they considered as authors? Do they get credited for original poems and stories or do they act as ghost writers?
Though many seem to get into the career without degrees, you’ve got a good point there!
Hi Connie, great post! I can see one area of interest you have left out, education. Most IDT’s have a Master in Instructional Design and Technology. A Bachelors degree is fine but a Masters degree in IDT is what employers are looking for.
Shauna, the link wasn’t underlined in the above reply. The course is here: http://breakingintoid.com.
It will come as 12 emails over 6 weeks. Best wishes on your career journey.
Connie
Hello Connie,
Great article. Where can get access to your free eCourse please?
Thanks, Lana. You might benefit from my free 12-lesson eCourse then. Here’s the link to Breaking Into Instructional Design.
Great description and the changing role of an ISD. I find your article interesting, because I am currently working on certification the enter the field. As usual I gained more info that I have gotten anywhere else so far.
Hi Zuber,
Thank you so much for letting us know how ID is commonly understood in India in your experience. I also think there are some workplaces that are similar to how it is done in the U.S.too. Can others from India share their experiences?
Thanks,
Connie
Hi Connie,
I agree to the above definitions mentioned and my understanding are somewhat at the same page as others. But as ID in India it only means to do Story boarding and support IDs globally. As concept of ID is very much new in India, we don’t have a proper ID program to value add our skills. I don’t think so ID in India are made by will, they are made by accident. I too have a computer science background but I have landed up in such a creative world which I never thought, I would be. I agree to your point above that labeling it as ID of what exactly we do at our workplace is just limited.
Thanks for adding your definition, Syed. I like it.
Connie
According to me Instructional Design is all about arranging the given instructions (subject matter) in a meaningful way to the target audiences to meet their real world goals and objectives.
We should design or arrange instructions in such a way that learners should get motivation towards learning by using different tools and techniques i.e. strategies to impart correct education or knowledge transfer.
Hi Tom,
Love what your professor said. Thanks for sharing. It’s not easy to be right so often (especially when I’m often wrong at home đ
Best,
Connie
As a professor of mine in the discipline distributed on the first day of class … âTo pursue the career of an instructional designer, the first thing to accept is the burden you will carry of being right nearly all the time in a world that all too often wonât listen.â Of course, being naive, we thought he was only joking!
Thanks for the link. I’ve reviewed your program and it does look very interdisciplinary.
Hi Connie,
Always great to to get your insights on the changing demands on instructional designers and e-learning professionals. We’ve been trying to address these issues through changes in our graduate curriculum. Keith Hopper has a recent article in Intercom that discusses the need for more interdisciplinary cross-overs between the worlds of information design and instructional design, for example. I think what you’re saying here is spot on!
http://bit.ly/pAdQkD
Hi Jann,
Great that you can use this to describe your new job. Don’t forget to keep things wide open for future changes, such as that you’ll support and enable informal learning through a variety of technologies. This will leave your job wide open to experimentation. Good luck and thanks very much for your comment.
Best,
Connie
Connie ~
Great post! I am new to your fabulous site (just got the App too).
I am relatively new to instructional design and my employer asked me to now focus on eLearning. Very cool! I’ve been asked to assist in the creation of my new job description. My old job description never had anything about design in it.
As they say timing is everything! Your detailed explanation will be so helpful as I help define the job responsibilities.
Thank you!Thank you!
Jann
Thanks, Cathy. It probably took me 12 hours to come up with it =)
Love your one-sentence definition of ID–simple yet not simplistic:
Instructional design is the process of identifying the skills, knowledge, information and attitude gaps of a targeted audience and creating or selecting learning experiences that close this gap, based on instructional theory and best practices from the field.
What is the going rate for instructional design?
Thanks! (Love your site.)
Dear SuperDesigner with cape,
Oh yes, feedback and discussion is such an important part of elaborating on and refining concepts. All of this will help people construct more accurate schemas. And this can be implemented through social technologies as well as other approaches. I was just kind of excited about the idea of creating scenarios where people need info from each other. But that’s because I live a boring life.
Best,
Connie
Hi Connie!
You mentioned: setting up scenarios where people NEED to learn from each other to proceed…
Are there situations where people do not need to learn from one another? Feedback and discussion is an integral part of learning as is leveraging prior knowledge. I’m not saying that all ID needs to be story-based but I think that social learning definitely has its merits. Thoughts?
Take care,
April
PS I was thinking we could rename ourselves SuperDesigners and capes would be part of the uniform.
Hi April,
I think you bring up a good point. I’d like to see the game you’re referring to but I can see how some structure, some boundaries could be needed when thinking in terms of broad strategies. The idea of designers setting up scenarios where people NEED to learn from each other to proceed, possibly through a social technology or a real-time game, sounds like an infinitely exciting approach to learning (at least for some people). Thanks for your insightful comment.
Best,
Connie
p.s. Congrats on moving your blog to a new space. I like that you said “instructional design” is too bland to describe what you do. We do need a more exciting term, don’t we?
Hi Connie! Great post, as usual. The field is open for social learning instructional design. The broad type design you mention may need to take some cues from serious games, particularly scaffolded tasks (group and individual quests) within boundaries (“you are now leaving the battlefield” is my fav example from Star Wars PS2 game). This type of design almost requires that students learn from/with each other and develop critical thinking skills along the way. Your thoughts?
Take care,
April