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others are low-quality or outdated.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:
|
Name |
Provider |
Duration |
Cost |
Level |
Rating |
|
Instructional Design Foundations and
Applications |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
1-3 Months |
Free |
Mixed |
4.0/5 |
|
Online Learning Design for Educators |
Macquarie University |
3-6 Months |
$49/month |
Beginner |
4.7/5 |
|
Gamification |
University of Pennsylvania |
1-3 Months |
Free |
Mixed |
4.8/5 |
|
Instructional Design for ELearning |
Udemy |
5 Hours |
$17.99 |
All Levels |
4.2/5 |
|
The complete Instructional Designer
course |
Udemy |
5.5 Hours |
$14.99 |
All Levels |
4.5/5 |
|
Instructional Design Pro (Part 1):
No Beginners Allowed! |
Udemy |
6.5 Hours |
$18.99 |
All Levels |
4.3/5 |
|
The 28 Best Instructional Design
Certificate Programs in 2023 |
Devlin Peck |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
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