How to Choose the Best Instructional Design Courses for Your Needs

Are you interested in creating online courses that are effective, engaging and learner-centered? Do you want to learn how to apply the principles and practices of instructional design and technology to your own projects? If so, you might want to consider taking some instructional design courses.

Instructional design is the process of designing, developing, implementing and evaluating learning experiences that meet the needs and goals of learners and organizations. Instructional design courses can help you learn the skills and knowledge required to create online courses that are aligned with learning outcomes, based on sound pedagogy and supported by appropriate technology.

In this article, we will provide you with an overview of what instructional design courses are, how to choose the best ones for your needs, and how to create your own instructional design courses. We will also answer some of the frequently asked questions about instructional design courses and provide you with some external links for further learning.

What are Instructional Design Courses?

Instructional design and development of online courses are online courses that teach you the concepts, methods and tools of instructional design. They can cover topics such as:

• Learning theories and models
• Instructional design models and frameworks
• Learning objectives and outcomes
• Curriculum design and development
• Content creation and delivery
• Learning activities and assessments
• Feedback and evaluation
• Multimedia and interactivity
• Gamification and motivation
• Accessibility and usability
• Project management and collaboration

Instructional design courses can vary in their format, duration, cost, level and quality. Some of them are self-paced, while others are instructor-led or cohort-based. Some of them are free, while others require a fee or a subscription. Some of them are beginner-friendly, while others require prior experience or knowledge. Some of them are high-quality, while others are low-quality or outdated.

Instructional design courses can be found on different platforms and domains, such as:

• Online learning platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, edX, Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning.
• Online universities and colleges, such as University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Macquarie University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Edinburgh.
• Online communities and blogs, such as Devlin Peck, eLearning Industry, The eLearning Guild and ATD.
• Instructional design and technology program Online certifications, such as Instructional Design Pro, The complete Instructional Designer course and Instructional Design for ELearning.

Read also:

How to Choose the Best Master’s Program in Instructional Design

How to Become an Instructional Designer with an Instructional Design Degree

Instructional Designer Salary: What You Need to Know in 2023

How to choose the best instructional design courses for your needs?

With so many instructional design courses available online, how can you choose the best ones for your needs? Here are some factors to consider when selecting instructional design courses:

• Your goals: What do you want to achieve by taking instructional design courses? Do you want to learn the basics of instructional design or advance your skills? Do you want to create online courses for yourself or for others? Do you want to get a graduate certificate in instructional design or a degree in instructional design or just learn for fun?
• Your background: What is your current level of knowledge and experience in instructional design? Do you have any prior education or training in instructional design or related fields? Do you have any existing projects or portfolios that showcase your work in instructional design?
• Your budget: How much are you willing to spend on instructional design courses? Do you have a limited budget or a flexible one? Are you looking for free or paid courses? Are you willing to pay a one-time fee or a monthly subscription?
• Your time: How much time do you have to dedicate to instructional design courses? Do you have a tight schedule or a flexible one? Are you looking for short-term or long-term courses? Are you looking for self-paced or instructor-led courses?
• Your preferences: What kind of instructional design courses do you prefer? Do you prefer theoretical or practical courses? Do you prefer text-based or video-based courses? Do you prefer individual or collaborative courses?

Based on these factors, you can compare and contrast some of the best instructional design and learning design and technology courses and certifications available online. You can use the table below as a reference to see the key information of each course or certification:

You can also read the reviews and feedback from other learners who have taken the courses or certifications to get a better idea of their quality and outcomes.

How to create your own instructional design courses?

If you want to create your own instructional design courses, you will need to follow some steps and use some tools and resources. Here are the steps involved in creating your own instructional design courses:

• Conduct a needs analysis: Identify the target audience, the learning problem, the learning goals and the learning context of your course.
• Design a curriculum: Define the learning objectives, the content outline, the learning activities, the assessments and the feedback of your course.
• Develop content and materials: Create the text, images, audio, video and other media that will deliver the content of your course.
• Implement and evaluate the course: Publish, deliver and monitor the course and collect data on its effectiveness and impact.

Here are some tips and best practices for creating effective and engaging instructional design courses:

• Use multimedia and interactivity: Incorporate different types of media and interactive elements to enhance the learning experience and cater to different learning styles.
• Use gamification and motivation: Apply game elements and motivational strategies to increase the learner’s engagement and retention.
• Use feedback and evaluation: Provide timely and constructive feedback and evaluation to help the learner improve their performance and achieve their goals.
• Use accessibility and usability: Ensure that your course is accessible and usable for all learners, regardless of their abilities, devices or environments.

Here are some tools and resources for creating instructional design courses:

• Authoring software: Use software that allows you to create online courses easily and efficiently, such as Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, iSpring Suite or Lectora
• Templates: Use templates that provide you with a ready-made structure and layout for your course, such as Instructional Design Models: What are They and Why are They Important?
• Frameworks: Use frameworks that guide you through the instructional design process, such as ADDIE, SAM or Backward Design.
• Guides: Use guides that offer you tips, examples and best practices for creating instructional design courses, such as Top 10 Instructional Designer Skills or 50 Free Online Tools for Creating Instructional Design Courses.

Instructional Design Courses FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about instructional design courses:

What is an example of instructional design?

An example of instructional design is creating a course on how to use a software application, based on the learners’ needs, goals and preferences.

What programs should an instructional designer know?

There are many programs that an instructional designer should know, depending on their specific role, industry and project. However, some of the most common and useful programs are:

eLearning authoring tools: These are software tools that help you create interactive and engaging online courses, such as Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, iSpring Suite or Lectora. These tools allow you to add multimedia, interactivity, feedback and assessment to your courses without coding.

Storyboarding tools: These are software tools that help you plan and visualize your course design before you start developing it, such as Adobe XD, PowerPoint, Lucidchart or Storyboard That. These tools help you create mockups, wireframes, flowcharts and prototypes of your course layout, navigation and functionality.

Learning Management Systems (LMS): These are software tools that help you deliver, track and report on your online courses, such as Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard or TalentLMS. These tools help you manage your learners, enrollments, assignments, grades and certificates/

Video editing tools: These are software tools that help you edit and create video content for your online courses, such as Camtasia, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie or Filmora. These tools help you trim, crop, splice, add effects and transitions to your videos.

Graphic design tools: These are software tools that help you create and edit images, icons, logos and other graphics for your online courses, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva or Snagit. These tools help you enhance the visual appeal and clarity of your course content.

What are the skills of an instructional designer?

Some of the skills of an instructional designer are:

• Analyzing learning needs and objectives
• Designing effective and engaging learning experiences
• Developing content and materials that align with learning outcomes
• Implementing and evaluating learning solutions
• Using technology and tools to create online courses
• Communicating and collaborating with stakeholders

Where do I start as an instructional designer?

If you want to start as an instructional designer, here are some steps you can follow:

Learn about methods, principles and theory: A thorough understanding of the theories and frameworks of the field is a prerequisite for success as an instructional designer. Theories such as Merril, ADDIE, Gagne and Bloom’s Taxonomy guide instructional designers’ decisions You can learn about these methods, principles and theory by taking online instructional design courses, reading books and articles, or joining professional associations and communities.

Get a relevant bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s degree is a common requirement to become an instructional designer. As someone who’s going to be designing educational tools, curricula and programmes, it’s beneficial for you to have gone through higher education. Some degrees set you up for becoming an instructional designer better than others2 Some of the relevant degrees are instructional design, education technology, learning design, or psychology.

Build a portfolio of your work and projects: A portfolio is a showcase of your skills and abilities as an instructional designer. It can include samples of your work, such as course designs, learning materials, assessments, feedback and evaluations. It can also include testimonials from your clients, learners or employers. A portfolio can help you demonstrate your competence, creativity and professionalism to potential employers or clients You can build a portfolio by working on your own projects, volunteering for non-profit organizations, or taking on freelance or contract work.

Network and connect with other instructional designers: Networking and connecting with other instructional designers can help you learn from their experiences, get feedback on your work, find mentors or collaborators, and discover new opportunities. You can network and connect with other instructional designers by joining online forums, groups or platforms, attending events or webinars, or participating in online courses or certifications.

Apply for internships or entry-level jobs in instructional design: Internships or entry-level jobs in instructional design can help you gain practical experience, learn from experts, and build your reputation and credibility. They can also help you transition to a full-time career as an instructional designer. You can apply for internships or entry-level jobs in instructional design by searching online job boards, contacting companies or organizations that offer online learning solutions, or reaching out to your network or mentors.

How can I be a good instructional designer?

To be a good instructional designer, you need to have a combination of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will help you create effective and engaging learning experiences. Here are some of the qualities of a good instructional designer:

Knowledge of learning theories and models: A good instructional designer should be familiar with the principles and theories of how people learn, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism and connectivism. They should also be able to apply different instructional design models and frameworks, such as ADDIE, SAM or Backward Design, to guide their design process.

Ability to write engaging and informative content: A good instructional designer should be able to write content that is clear, concise, accurate and relevant. They should be able to use different types of writing, such as storytelling, scripting, instructional text and copywriting, to suit the purpose and audience of their content. They should also be able to use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Creativity and innovation: A good instructional designer should be able to brainstorm creative ideas and solutions for their learning projects. They should be able to use different types of media and interactivity, such as images, audio, video, animations, games and simulations, to enhance the learning experience. They should also be able to experiment with new technologies and trends, such as augmented reality, virtual reality or artificial intelligence.

Analytical and critical thinking skills: A good instructional designer should be able to analyze the needs and goals of their learners and organizations. They should be able to conduct research, collect data and feedback, and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of their learning solutions. They should also be able to identify problems, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Communication and collaboration skills: A good instructional designer should be able to communicate effectively with different stakeholders, such as subject matter experts, clients, learners, managers and team members. They should be able to listen actively, ask questions, give feedback and present their ideas clearly and persuasively. They should also be able to collaborate with others, share their expertise, respect different opinions and perspectives, and work towards a common goal.

What are the 3 major components of instructional design?

the 3 major components of instructional design are:

Analysis: This involves assessing the needs of the learners, the goals of the instruction, and the context of the learning environment. Analysis can help to identify the gaps, challenges and opportunities for designing effective and engaging learning experiences.

Design: This involves defining the learning objectives, the content outline, the learning activities, the assessments and the feedback of the instruction. Design can help to align the instructional components with the learning outcomes and the pedagogical principles.

Development: This involves creating the content and materials that will deliver the instruction, such as text, images, audio, video and other media. Development can help to ensure the quality, accessibility and usability of the instruction.

Some sources also include two additional components of instructional design:

Implementation: This involves publishing, delivering and monitoring the instruction to the learners. Implementation can help to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and appeal of the instruction.

Evaluation: This involves collecting data and feedback on the impact and outcomes of the instruction. Evaluation can help to measure the achievement of the learning objectives, the satisfaction of the learners and the improvement of the instruction.

Where do I start as an instructional designer?

You can start as an instructional designer by following these steps:

Learn about methods, principles and theory: A thorough understanding of the theories and frameworks of the field is a prerequisite for success as an instructional designer. Theories such as Merril, ADDIE, Gagne and Bloom’s Taxonomy guide instructional designers’ decisions. You can learn about these methods, principles and theory by taking online courses, reading books and articles, or joining professional associations and communities.

Get a relevant bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s degree is a common requirement to become an instructional designer. As someone who’s going to be designing educational tools, curricula and programmes, it’s beneficial for you to have gone through higher education. Some degrees set you up for becoming an instructional designer better than others. Some of the relevant degrees are instructional design, education technology, learning design, or psychology.

Build a portfolio of your work and projects: A portfolio is a showcase of your skills and abilities as an instructional designer. It can include samples of your work, such as course designs, learning materials, assessments, feedback and evaluations. It can also include testimonials from your clients, learners or employers. A portfolio can help you demonstrate your competence, creativity and professionalism to potential employers or clients. You can build a portfolio by working on your own projects, volunteering for non-profit organizations, or taking on freelance or contract work.

Network and connect with other instructional designers: Networking and connecting with other instructional designers can help you learn from their experiences, get feedback on your work, find mentors or collaborators, and discover new opportunities. You can network and connect with other instructional designers by joining online forums, groups or platforms, attending events or webinars, or participating in online courses or certifications.

Apply for internships or entry-level jobs in instructional design: Internships or entry-level jobs in instructional design can help you gain practical experience, learn from experts, and build your reputation and credibility. They can also help you transition to a full-time career as an instructional designer. You can apply for internships or entry-level jobs in instructional design by searching online job boards, contacting companies or organizations that offer online learning solutions, or reaching out to your network or mentors. 

Conclusion

Instructional design courses can help you learn how to create online courses that are effective, engaging and learner-centered. They can also help you advance your career as an instructional designer or an online educator.

If you want to take some instructional design courses, you should consider your goals, background, budget, time and preferences. You should also compare some of the best instructional design courses and certifications available online. You can use this article as a guide to help you choose the best ones for your needs.

If you want to create your own instructional design courses, you should follow some steps and use some tools and resources. You should also apply some tips and best practices for creating effective and engaging instructional design courses. You can use this article as a reference to help you create your own courses.

We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about instructional design courses. If you want to learn