Upon hearing the words, ‘instructional design’ many people may think of the creation of tools and resources (Think courses, worksheets, simulations etc.). I prefer to take a more expansive view: At its core, instructional design establishes a formal structure for learning. It begins with a deep understanding of the goals and needs inherent in a program, course, or coaching engagement. Effective instructional design is not just about delivering information – it is about creating experiences that shift mindsets, build new skills, and empower individuals, teams, and organizations to realize their full potential.
This approach to instructional design goes beyond traditional expectations. It creates a framework that not only imparts knowledge but also catalyzes growth and achievement. By aligning learning experiences with specific goals, instructional design becomes a pivotal force in transforming ‘potential' into tangible results. It is about architecting transformative experiences that unlock potential and drive meaningful change.
I think the limited view of instructional design happens because of the two discreet words in the title which lead people to think you are either a designer (let’s make it pretty) or you are providing educational materials. Let’s take a deeper look at what instruction design really is::
Curriculum Development: At its core, curriculum development focuses on content. The designer determines what needs to be taught, and in what order, establishing the foundational knowledge and skills that learners will acquire. Some designers work with SMEs (Subject matter experts), some are provided resources, while others are asked to create based on their knowledge or research. A combination of these usually works best.
Instructional Design: Building on curriculum development, instructional design concentrates on factors that lead to teaching the course material effectively. It involves:
Selecting appropriate teaching methods and materials
Applying academic theories and models to enhance learning effectiveness
Considering the learning process to optimize information retention and skill development
Design Implementation: The final step brings together content and instructional strategies through thoughtful design. This involves:
Crafting the visual and interactive elements of the course
Choosing a style (simple, professional, colorful) that complements the content
Ensuring the design enhances rather than hinders the learning experience
So, what makes instructional design truly effective? Let's explore some key principles:
Start with the 'Why' - Effective instructional design begins by clearly articulating why the learning matters.
Know your learners/audience - To create impactful learning experiences, you need to have a deep understanding of your audience, what matters to them, what their day-to-day is like, and what they value and care about.
Design for application - The true measure of success is whether leaders can apply what they learned to improve their performance and drive organizational success. This means moving beyond passive content delivery to create active, experiential learning opportunities.
Power of good storytelling - People remember stories at a deeper level than they will facts and figures. Look for opportunities to incorporate narrative elements in the design.
Fostering social learning - Leadership does not happen in isolation, and neither should leadership development.
Utilize technology thoughtfully - It is crucial to use technology purposefully, not just for its own sake.
Build in reflection and feedback - Instructional design should incorporate opportunities for learners to pause and reflect on their learning.
Measure what matters - The goal of any professional learning is to change practice, so it becomes important to focus on measuring outcomes that directly relate to development objectives and organizational goals.
Build in mechanisms for continuous evaluation and improvement - Great instructional design is never truly finished. It is an ongoing process of refinement and improvement based on participant feedback, performance data, and evolving leadership needs.
Remember you are designing for real-life humans - At its core, leadership development is about people. It is about helping individuals become the best they can be, enabling them to positively impact their teams, organizations, and communities. Never lose sight of the human element in your work.
Instructional design can be about making a presentation look better, building online courses and other learning assets, and organizing content in a meaningful way. If, however, you take an expanded view, instructional design comes in many forms and, implemented in the right way, may have life-altering changes for individuals as well as organizations.
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