What is an Instructional Design?

Instructional design is the creation of learning experiences and materials in a manner that results in the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. The discipline follows a system of assessing needs, designing a process, developing materials and evaluating it’s effectiveness. In the context of workplace learning, Instructional Design provides a practical and systematic process for effectively designing effective curricula.

Basic Components of Instructional Design

While there are a number of instructional design models and processes, many of their components are similar. They include analysis, design, development, and evaluation.

Analysis

Analysis typically includes understanding the needs and learners including why a training or learning solution is required. It may be the case that training is not the solution and some other type of performance improvement or non-training solution will be recommended. In this stage, you’ll also begin to develop the goals of the training, including learning objectives, and determine how the training will be delivered.

Design & Development

Design and development includes the actual design and development of the instructional materials or determining the delivery methods to be used. It often includes drafting curriculum and lesson plans, developing any instructional materials including presentations, e-learning, job aids, participant guides, and anything else to be used in the training.

Evaluation

Evaluation looks at how you determine if your training or learning solution was successful. Did it create a measurable impact on the learner’s behavior and did that lead to the desired results back on the job? There are a number popular evaluation models to consider, including: 

• Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation
• Brinkerhoff’s Success Case Method
• Philips ROI Methodology
• Learning-Transfer Evaluation Model (LTEM)