Instructional Design
We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change.
And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn. - Peter Drucker
What is Instructional Design?
Instructional design is the planning and creation of effective, measurable, and engaging learning objectives, activities, and assessments. Overall, instructional designers apply best pedagogical practices that take into account research on learning science, student development, and inclusive teaching. Instructional designers also provide training so faculty can leverage technology and pedagogy to build learning environments where students are able to flourish regardless of the modality of instruction. Instructional design includes taking a critical look at pedagogical practices by acknowledging the social and cultural contexts of learners and is committed to working with intentionality to bring equity to teaching and learning. Finally, instructional designers participate in research that furthers the extant knowledge on teaching and learning through a variety of platforms and modalities.
How can an Instructional Designer assist me?
Working with an instructional designer can help you improve your teaching, course design, course materials, assignments, assessments, and overall experience with using technology in your teaching. While using technology may be part of your teaching, that is not the goal of instructional design. The goal is simply to improve the quality of the teaching and learning experience. Instructional designers can help you:
- Assess the overall curriculum needs of a course
- Determine course goals
- Determine measurable course learning objectives and the sequence in which to address them
- Develop and implement instructional content, teaching strategies, and assessment
- Conduct formative and summative course evaluations
Last updated: 3/11/2021
