The world of E-learning is opening up!

Instructional Design is defined “as a systematic process that is employed to develop education and training programs in a consistent and reliable fashion” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2007). As a field, instructional design is historically and traditionally rooted in cognitive and behavioral psychology. 

Abstract

E-learning, is a booming industry waiting to be explored! As the focus shifts from Teacher to Learner, there is a huge need for self-learning material, accessible anywhere, anytime, through Computer, Game-based learning programs, and online courses. Literally taking the learner to new dimensions!!

According to E-Learning Market Update 2010; 35% to 40% of all training is done electronically. That means companies are now moving away from trainers and increasingly using technology, design, e-learning service and support activities. A large part of the E-learning content and design is outsourced and that’s where India plays a major role.

line

If you are passionate about learning and teaching and have good technology and analytical skills - then a lucrative career in Instructional Design awaits you!

Instructional Design has been a part of the learning and teaching structure for a long time; but as a serious career option it entered the Indian market around the late nineties. Importantly, Instructional Design should not be confused with Industrial Design. Falling under the big banner of E-Learning, Instructional Design is that field where you are expected to transform a given course content or own-knowledge of a subject into effective learning material, using Technology.

  Right Skills  
 
You are expected to bring your passion for teaching into this field! The whole idea is to create exciting ways to make new learning experiences by using design/ digital methods and research tools.

Instructional Design is the science of “designing instructions for learners, such that it leads to maximum knowledge transfer.”

What is expected?

You are expected to bring your passion for teaching into this field! The whole idea is to create exciting ways to make new learning experiences by using design/ digital methods and research tools. An important point here is that the designer works with the SME (Subject matter Expert) to develop the content in a way that it holds the learner’s interest.

Instructional Designer should be able to:
  • Understand basic Instructional Design Principles and Learning Principles ( so a bit of Educational Psychology will help here), which is the foundation to write correct objectives, structure the content etc
  • Understand technology and tools used in creating a course. While the actual visuals are created by specialists in various functions, it is important that the instructional designer also understands these tools, their basic features, limitations and what it takes to build the designs they are proposing.
  • Learn and understand content: Though the Designer is not expected to know the subject, it is important that the instructional designer understands enough content to have meaningful discussions with Subject Matter Experts and others involved.
  • Interview and take pertinent note.
  • Assimilate and chunk information.
  • Write correctly, clearly and concisely.
  • Collaborate with specialists in different areas (graphics, media, software engineering).
  • Write stories, dialogues, scenarios, narration and scripts.
  • Present clearly the proposed approach to all those concerned.
  • Think out of the box and be creative.

 

 
No votes yet