What Does an Instructional Designer Do? How Do You Become One?  

In the ever-evolving landscape of education and training, instructional designers act as the designers of effective learning experiences. They craft courses, programs, and materials that help learners gather knowledge and skills efficiently and with confidence. Instructional designers are vital to all kinds of big and small companies and educational institutes. In this blog, we’ll explore the role of instructional designers, the fundamental components of instructional design, and how you can start your journey on this career path.  

Who is an Instructional Designer? 

An instructional designer is an education professional who combines expertise in education theory, technology, and content to create engaging and effective learning experiences for learners of all ages. They do this by identifying the learning gaps, conducting a needs assessment, and defining the learning objectives and outcomes within an organization.  

They select the appropriate instructional methods and media, develop the content and activities, and test and revise the learning solutions. Then they deliver or facilitate the resolution, measuring its impact and effectiveness, and making necessary modifications. To reach their conclusive methodology, instructional experts make use of various tools and techniques to develop and deliver learning content that helps learners acquire new skills, knowledge, and behavior.    

Their work improves learning experiences and enables learners to acquire new skills and knowledge based on their needs. 

What are the Main Components of Instructional Design? 

Learning Objectives 
Learning objectives serve as the foundation of any instructional design project. They articulate what learners should know or be able to do upon completion of the learning experience. Clear, measurable objectives provide a roadmap for the entire design process. Practical learning objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). 

Learning Activities 
Engaging and interactive activities form the core of instructional design. These can encompass lectures, discussions, hands-on exercises, simulations, and multimedia presentations. The choice of activities depends on the learning objectives and the preferences of the target audience.   

Assessments 
Assessments are crucial in evaluating learners’ understanding and proficiency. They come in various forms, including quizzes, exams, projects, and performance evaluations. Well-designed assessments provide valuable feedback to both learners and instructors. 

Who Can Become an Instructional Designer? 

Many instructional designers hold a degree in instructional design, instructional technology, or a related field, but it’s not a necessity. Anyone can become an instructional designer as the field attracts professionals from diverse backgrounds, including education, psychology, design, and technology. Many professionals transition into instructional design from these related fields. 

The 4 Cs of Instructional Design

An excellent instructional design should focus on building the 4 Cs of instructional design.

Clarity 

Plainly stated directions and clear expectations set students up for success. This is something we found to be especially true for online education. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself. This can ensure that no important points get missed. And always strive to present information in an easy-to-understand way. When assigning larger projects, try to break it down into smaller components.  

Consistency 

How you structure your lessons, assignments, and lectures should be consistent—this way students subconsciously know what to expect at any given lesson stage. Creating a sense of familiarity helps students be comfortable in the learning environment. Students focus and learn better when they’re not experiencing stress.  

Cohesion 

Laying out your course design in a cohesive and logical way helps students track and follow along much more easily. One way to approach this is to start at the end. What are your course learning objectives? Develop each preceding assignment and lesson guide to lead the student to a successful understanding.  

Care 

Instructional designers can’t approach their work too mechanically. Every student is different, with different limits and learning styles. Lessons need to reflect that as much as possible. Designers can do this by creating flexible learning plans that instructors can adjust on the fly.  

Instructional Designer Job Description 

The job description of an instructional designer can vary depending on the industry, company, or project. Some common responsibilities include: 

Needs Analysis and Learning Design 

Needs analysis involves gathering data to determine the audience’s learning needs and organization. It can involve interviewing topic experts, analyzing job performance data, and reviewing organizational goals.  

Instructional designers conduct a needs analysis to identify the learning objectives, target audience, and content requirements. This is the foundation for the overall structure of the learning experience. 

Content Development 

Content development is the principal duty of instructional designers. Here is where they create and curate the content and materials that support an organization’s learning goals. The content may include various formats, such as: 

• Text 
• Graphics 
• Videos 
• Animations 
• Simulations 
• Audio 
• Case studies 
• Quizzes  

Learning Management System (LMS) Operation 

Using LMS, instructional designers create, manage, deliver, and track learning experiences. It’s a type of software platform that provides instructional designers with all the tools to facilitate collaboration, feedback, and social learning among learners. It’s quickly become an invaluable tool for those in this profession. 

The LMS platform makes uploading and managing course content easier, including videos, e-learning modules, and other multimedia material. It helps ensure course materials are accessible and user-friendly and helps meet learning objectives and the organization’s goals. An instructional designer can even use the LMS to track learner progress and performance, such as completion rates and test scores. 

Evaluation and Feedback 

An instructional designer is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the learning experience using formative and summative evaluations. They gather feedback from learners and stakeholders and analyze the data to determine the impact of their learning experiences. 
 This can involve data gathered from: 

• Test scores 
• Completion rates 
• Surveys 
• Focus groups 

The feedback helps instructional designers make informed decisions to improve the learning experience. The data might require them to revise the learning materials, change the instructional approach, or modify the learning environment.   

Become an Instructional Designer  

Instructional designers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and training. By understanding the core components of instructional design, aspiring professionals can embark on this rewarding career path. People trained formally in instructional design can land lucrative jobs in large multinational companies as well.  In the M.Ed. program at UoPeople, there is a dedicated course on curriculum design and instructional decision-making that introduces learners to the major curricular models and analyzes their design and development, implementation, and evaluation. With dedication, a commitment to learning, and a passion for education, one can become a proficient instructional designer, influencing the learning journeys of countless individuals. 

Ready to get started? At University of the People, we offer American-accredited higher education that is flexible, affordable, and comprehensive. And they’re all 100% online. Earning a Master’s of Education in Advanced Teaching is a great start for those looking to work as an instructional designer. Start building your successful career today!