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Get Started with
Instructional Design
Many of our clients are working on their first instructional design project. We have found that it can be really helpful to introduce you to some terms and answer some common questions.
Common Terms
Instructional Design
Instructional design covers anything related to the creation of learning experiences, materials, and activities to help learners master new skills.
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This means that a good instructional designer will be able to work with you on any and all parts of developing a training or e-learning course. Instructional design doesn't have to be digitally based, but that is what we specialize in here at EQubed, LLC.
The Process
It's important to note that not every organization needs all of these steps, and that there isn't always an instructional designer needed for each of these steps. This is just a guideline to help you get started.
1 / Orientation
The contract is signed and we are ready to get started! This is the first meeting, and all subject matter experts should attend. Often it is the most helpful, because it gets everyone working on the project on the same page. Expectations get set, communication protocols are agreed upon, and the instructional designer receives any materials or information about what has already been started by the organization.
2 / Project Plan
Sometimes the project plan is created by the client, but sometimes the Instructional Designer is asked to set out expected due dates and a timeline for future meetings.
3 / Objectives and Assessments
We prefer to identify learning objectives and assessments at the beginning of a project. This helps ensure that we are only putting materials in front of learners that apply to the skills they are developing. Some organizations already have these, especially if they are redoing or updating a pre-existing training.
If you need help getting started with creating these, we can help.
4/ Learning Materials Collection and Development
This is the biggest, and most challenging part of the Instructional Design process. Subject matter experts provide the course materials. This might include written text, slideshows, videos, or requests for the instructional designer to build an activity.
If you need suggestions on what kind of activities make the most sense for your content, ask your instructional designer.
The more efficiently your organization can provide your learning materials or content, the faster the instructional designer can build your course.
5/ Feedback from Subject Matter Experts
Often this step is happening concurrently as learning materials are being compiled and built.
Our experience is that the first lesson or module usually takes the longest to build, because clients are still deciding what works best and the instructional designer is adjusting the user interfaces. Once that first one is done, and the team is satisfied, things tend to move along much faster.
6/ Revisions
Again, revisions are often happening throughout the development process, as subject matter experts and the client are providing feedback. There might be multiple drafts, depending on the client's expectations and the timeline of the project.
7/ Implementation
Once all the revisions are done, it is time to implement your course with your learners! Often, this is the step where the instructional designer steps away, but we are always available to help if you need it.