Instructional design

What is instructional design?

Instructional design is the systematic and strategic planning of learning experiences. In other words, it is a design process that ensures that students actually learn from educational content or materials. Its main objective is to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills by students. Instructional design is based on sound pedagogical principles and uses specific strategies to achieve educational objectives, thus maximizing the impact of learning.

The 5 phases of instructional design

Although there are various instructional design models, each complete with their own set of phases, the most commonly used are inspired by the ADDIE model:

1. Needs analysis

In this first phase, students’ learning needs are identified and educational objectives are determined. The main objective here is to gather data on who the students are and what they need to learn.

2. Design

In the second phase, the actual teaching plan is designed. This involves choosing teaching methods, designing teaching material and establishing the overall structure of the course. In the design phase, a planner determines how information will be presented to students, and how progress will be evaluated.

3. Development

This is the phase where educational resources are created – these can be reading materials, interactive activities, videos or assessments. Whichever resources are chosen, their contents should be organized in a manner consistent with wider objectives.

4. Implementation

In the fourth phase the teaching itself is carried out, following the design developed in steps 2 and 3. Instructors use resources and materials, either in-person or in a virtual classroom, and guide students through the learning process.

5. Evaluation

In the final phase, student performance and the effectiveness of the instructional design can be evaluated. The results of that evaluation will reveal which areas of the course need to be improved.

Best practice for applying instructional design in your training

In order to successfully apply instructional design in training, it’s important to take several pieces of advice into consideration:

Know your audience: It’s crucial to understand the specific characteristics and needs of your students in order to design and deliver an effective course.

Be clear with objectives: Defining clear and measurable learning objectives is vital to the integrity and success of your design.

Use appropriate technology: Choosing the right technological tools can greatly enhance the learning experience.

Evaluate: Constant feedback and periodic design reviews allow for any necessary improvements and adaptations.

Instructional design is a fundamental process in creating effective, student-centered learning experiences. By following the correct phases and applying best practice, educators can make a significant impact on the quality of their training. And what better tool than isEazy Author to help you achieve this? Now’s the time – learn about the #1 authoring tool on the market, which lets you design and create incredible courses in just a few minutes.