Read time: 2 mins
What Is Instructional Design?
Instructional design is the process of identifying the skills, knowledge, information and attitude gaps of a targeted audience and creating, selecting or suggesting learning experiences that close this gap.
Watch this 1-minute video where Carien Aalbers, Head Tutor of the University of the Witwatersrand Instructional Design online short course, explains the multiple facets of the discipline further.
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An instructional designer uses a multitude of skills, including writing, web design, graphics, collaboration, using technology in education and planning. The diverse discipline involves:
- Leveraging teaching with technology and the advantages of an online environment, and taking into account how people interact and learn online by using technology in the classroom
- Expressing the learning need and identifying the required exit level outcomes, and then constructing a curriculum and delivery model based on that need
- Developing digital learning content, assessments and platforms, and interpreting learning analytics data
The implementation of e-learning programmes into various institutions is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Ready to fill the gap as an instructional design expert?
Expand your teaching experience; move into the online education industry; or formalise your skills in instructional design
Transcription:
Instructional design involves designing and developing learning experiences that leverage the technological advantages of an online environment, and take into account how people learn online. It encompasses the design of online learning programs from start to finish. This includes articulating the learning need and identifying the required exit level outcomes, and then designing the optimal curriculum and delivery model based on that need. Instructional design also involves developing digital learning content, assessments and platforms, and the interpretation of learning analytics data. So as you can see, it’s an exceptionally multifaceted discipline and instructional designers may be involved in some or all of these aspects.