A Sneak Peek into the World of an Instructional Designer

If you have ever taken an eLearning course, read through a guidebook or job aid, or participated in some type of digital tutorial and thought that was really helpful, the odds are that it was created by an instructional designer. Making learning meaningful takes a lot of dedicated effort by an Instructional Designer (ID). But what does an instructional designer do to create that fantastic experience, and why is their role so pivotal to our learning experiences? This blog post is meant to dive into the world of instructional design and tease out the intricacies of just a few of the many hats designers wear.

Content Conjurers

The primary task of an ID is to create engaging, effective learning content. They are the architects who construct course materials for a wide array of subjects for various audiences, from schoolchildren to corporate employees. There are many different ways to go about conjuring content. One of the first steps is to weigh in on the curriculum objectives, the learner's needs, and the latest evidence-based learning strategies and create a meaningful course that gets the learners to the level of learning they need to be.

Throughout this content-conjuring process, IDs leverage a tool kit of instructional design

principles to facilitate active learning. These principles range from creating logical and intuitive navigation systems for online courses to weaving in multimodal elements such as text, images, and videos to cater to different learning preferences to integrating ample opportunities for practice and feedback to reinforce learning.

Behind each engaging activity, interactive multimedia content, or self-assessment quiz, there lies an ID who crafts these experiences meticulously. The complex task of transforming raw subject matter into learner-friendly modules rests primarily on their capable shoulders. They strike a balance between maintaining learner engagement and ensuring educational efficacy by weaving the course materials into an enriching tapestry of knowledge. Their ultimate goal is to design a learning experience that imparts the necessary knowledge and skills and motivates and inspires learners to achieve their learning objectives.

One of their superpowers is their ability to collaborate with experts in various fields to create courses that meet the needs of diverse learners.

Methodology Masters

IDs are experts in how learners learn content. IDs employ various instructional theories, strategies and models, like ADDIE or SAM, to guide their design process. They create a roadmap (or storyboard) for each course, outlining each lesson, the learning objectives, the type of content (text, images, video, audio), interactivity, and assessments. My favorite strategies are the tried and true predicting and distributed practice strategies. These are the most evidence-based strategies we have and the least utilized. It's the opposite of what it should be.

An IDs work doesn't end when a course is launched. IDs continually gather feedback, analyze learner performance, and revise their materials to improve effectiveness and engagement in an iterative quality enhancement process.

Researcher Radicals

An integral part of an ID's job is to conduct continual research. IDs keep abreast of the latest learning theories, technological tools, and assessment strategies. They also conduct needs analyses to identify the best solutions for issues. Spoiler alert...Training is only the best solution around 10% of the time. IDs know many evidence-based approaches to solving complex issues because training is only a solution when a lack of skill is the underlying cause of the issue.

Collaborators and Consultants

Contrary to what one might think, IDs don't work in a vacuum. They often collaborate with

subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure the content they create is accurate and comprehensive. They also work hand-in-hand with graphic designers, programmers, and other tech and creative professionals to breathe life into their instructional blueprint. Furthermore, they act as consultants to educators and business leaders, offering advice on best training practices and custom learning solutions.

Assessors and Evaluators

To ensure that a course meets its objectives, IDs also build in strategies for assessment and feedback. They design quizzes, tests, and interactive activities that engage the learner and measure their understanding. But their work doesn't end when a course is launched. IDs continually gather feedback, analyze learner performance, and revise their materials to improve effectiveness and engagement in an iterative process of quality enhancement.

Accessibility Advocates

One important facet of an ID's role is to ensure that their courses are accessible to all learners, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities. This involves designing content in line with universal design principles and legal guidelines, such as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

To conclude, the role of an instructional designer is multifaceted, deeply creative, and rooted in pedagogical research. While their work often happens behind the scenes, the courses they design play a crucial role in shaping the learning experience of countless individuals, fostering skill development, knowledge acquisition, and personal growth. So next time you click through an eLearning module or an online tutorial, spare a thought for the instructional designer who made it all possible!

Three Top Skills for Designers

The three top skills IDs need to have are people skills and have nothing to do with the tools and strategies they use for creating solid learning. Those skills are:

1. Building authentic relationships.

2. Adapting to organizational and industry changes.

3. Communicating from an others-centered perspective.

Let me know what you think. What would you add?