There is an ongoing discussion within the instructional design community as to whether a degree is needed to be most helpful in this field. A solid foundation in learning theory and cognitive science enables the designer to adapt learning procedures to varied audiences and content. On the other hand, some degreed instructional designers create poor learning products.
Step #1: Do Instructional Designers Need a Degree?
What is most important is that an instructional designer is a self-did act. The designer is motivated to read cognitive psychology, instructional design, eLearning textbooks, trade books, journals, and blogs. The person takes advantage of tutorials, podcasts, and certification programs. That he or she can learn something in a completely different field and transfer this knowledge to instructional design. As professionals in the learning field, we should get the experience needed to fill our gaps and grow and expand.- Bachelor’s Degree: Start with a degree in education, instructional design, educational technology, or a related field.
- Master’s Degree: Consider pursuing a master’s degree in instructional design or educational technology for advanced knowledge and specialization.
Step #2. Determine your primary objective and/or specialty
First, you'll want to consider what niche you'd like to specialize in and/or your primary intention of becoming an Instructional Designer. Is there a skill that needs to be taught and may be undervalued? Are you planning on specializing in the educational sector or the corporate sector? Are you an expert in a particular field and want to share your knowledge with others? Determining your primary goal will allow you to begin narrowing down what content you offer and which learning materials you will use.- Entry-Level Positions: Start with roles such as instructional design assistant or e-learning developer.
- Freelance Projects: Take on freelance projects to build a diverse portfolio.
- Internships: Participate in internships to gain hands-on experience and industry exposure.
Step #3. Gain priceless experience in your niche
If you still need to become more intimate with the subject you will be specializing in, then you will need to study its core ideas, principles, and concepts as much as possible. Furthermore, you will also have to gain general experience in instructional design. If there's an eLearning course that your organization suggests that it needs to be fine-tuned, then offer to improve it. If an organization is in need of a new eLearning course, let them know that you'll do it free of charge to gain that invaluable experience. On the other hand, if you prefer testing the waters before actually working for an organization, then why not merely design an eLearning course based on a hobby or a point of interest that you may have, such as music theory or gardening, to try out the eLearning tools and practical applications.- Advanced Degrees: Consider pursuing advanced degrees (e.g., master's, PhD) for deeper knowledge.
- Certifications: Obtain professional certifications relevant to your field.
- Online Courses: Take advantage of online courses and webinars to stay current with industry trends.
Step #4. Study the Instructional Design models and theories
After you've gathered all-important experience, consider learning about the methods and models of Instructional Design. These theories will often act as your eLearning courses' backbone or structure. They will help you build eLearning courses that engage and motivate the learner to acquire and retain the information you offer. For example, cognitive load theory suggests that learning should be presented in “bite-sized” modules or lessons that allow the learner to sufficiently obtain the information rather than overloading them with the affluence of information at once. Read the multiple theories and models required in Instructional Design and determine which ones will help you create meaningful and valuable eLearning courses.- Behaviorism: Learn how behavior is influenced by stimuli and responses.
- Cognitivism: Understand how learners process information.
- Constructivism: Study how learners construct knowledge based on experiences.
- Adult Learning Theories: Familiarize yourself with theories such as Andragogy and Transformative Learning.
Step #5. Consider Instructional Design training (such as certificate programs or training courses)
There is a diversity of Instructional Design programs and degrees that offer you the chance to gain an in-depth understanding of the core concepts and principles of Instructional Design. When selecting the right program, you may opt for one that offers real-world knowledge rather than just basic knowledge of Instructional Design theories. This will allow you to learn from other eLearning design professionals and gain on-the-job practical training. The article " How to Choose the Right Online Instructional Design Certificate Program " may be valuable.- Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP): Offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
- eLearning Guild Certifications: Various certifications related to e-learning and instructional design.
Step #6. Learn about eLearning tools, design principles, and multimedia aids
Get familiar with eLearning authoring tools, Learning Management Systems, policies, and multimedia aids available as an Instructional Designer. These will be the “tools of the trade” that you will use once you develop your eLearning course design strategy. If you'd like to learn more about the best eLearning authoring tools and cloud-based films, this article features a list of HTML5 eLearning authoring tools, and here is a list of Cloud-Based Learning Management Systems that you may want to consider.- Authoring Tools: Master tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Lectora.
- Learning Management Systems (LMS): Gain proficiency in platforms like Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, or other LMS.
- Multimedia Tools: Learn to use graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator) and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Camtasia).
Step #7. Begin growing an Instructional Design portfolio
Your portfolio is going to be your first impression as an Instructional Designer. Employers and clients will get a glimpse of your past work, regardless of whether it was paid or volunteer work, and their hiring decisions will be based on what they see. So, developing a robust portfolio should be a top priority. Be sure to include explanations for each project you include in your collections, such as your design strategy or the project's primary goal.- Showcase Work: Include examples of your instructional design projects, such as e-learning modules, instructional videos, and training materials.
- Diverse Examples: Ensure your portfolio demonstrates a variety of projects across different formats and technologies.
Step #8. Stay up-to-date with the latest eLearning technology.
The world of eLearning and Instructional Design is constantly changing and evolving. Educational technologies that are cutting-edge today may give way to bigger and better methods and tools tomorrow. As such, staying on top of the latest eLearning course design technology is essential to provide your learners with the best eLearning experience. This also allows you to improve your eLearning course designs while simplifying the development process, thanks to emerging technologies offering a wide range of time (and resource) saving benefits.- Professional Development: Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences related to instructional design.
- Subscribe to Journals: Read journals such as the International Journal of Instructional Media or TechTrends.
- Follow Influencers: Keep up with thought leaders in instructional design on social media and blogs.
Step #9. Develop Business Savvy
Focus on expected business outcomes and design as cleanly as possible to reduce time to proficiency and control costs. Build a business case for learning and demonstrate why their solution will work cost-effectively. Create a compelling design within the constraints of a project regarding available technology, budget, time, and human capital.Step #10. The successful instructional designer should
Conceptually and intuitively assume how people learn. Know how to correlate with an audience on an emotional level. Be competent in imagining oneself as the learner/audience member. Be obsessed with learning everything. Brainstorm creative strategies and innovative instructional strategies. Visualize instructional graphics, the user interface, interactions, and the finished product. Write compelling copy, instructional text, audio scripts, and video scripts. Meld memories with Subject Matter Experts and team members. Know the capacities of eLearning development tools and software. Understand related fields—usability and experience design, information design, communications, and new technologies.Bonus
0 Comments