Instructional design is the art and
science of creating effective and engaging learning experiences for various
audiences and contexts. Instructional designers apply learning theories, instructional
design models, instructional design principles, and instructional
design strategies to analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate
learning solutions. Instructional designers work in various sectors and
industries, such as education, corporate training, e-learning, healthcare,
government, and more.
If you are passionate about helping others learn and
want to pursue a career in instructional design, you may wonder how to become
an instructional designer and what kind of education and training you need. In
this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with a comprehensive
guide on how to become an instructional designer with an instructional design
degree.
What is an instructional design degree?
An instructional design degree is a
formal credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field of
instructional design. There are different types of instructional design degrees
and certificates available, depending on your level of education and
experience. Some of the most common ones are:
- Bachelor’s
degree in instructional design: This is a four-year
undergraduate program that covers the basics of instructional design, such
as learning theories, instructional design models, instructional design
tools, curriculum design, assessment, and evaluation. A bachelor’s degree
in instructional design can prepare you for entry-level positions in
instructional design or for further studies at the graduate level.
- Master’s degree in instructional design: This is a two-year graduate
program that builds on your bachelor’s degree and provides you with more
advanced and specialized knowledge and skills in instructional design. A
master’s degree in instructional design can help you advance your career
as an instructional designer or pursue doctoral studies in the field.
- PhD in
instructional design: This is a four-year doctoral
program that involves conducting original research and contributing to the
body of knowledge in instructional design. A PhD in instructional design
can prepare you for academic or leadership positions in instructional design
or related fields.
- Instructional
design certificate: This is a short-term program
that focuses on a specific aspect or topic of instructional design, such
as e-learning, gamification, microlearning, etc. An instructional design
certificate can help you update your skills or specialize in a niche area
of instructional design.
Read also:
How to Choose the Best Instructional Design Courses for Your Needs
How to Choose the Best Master’s Program in Instructional Design
How to Get Articulate Storyline Certification
How to Create Stunning Online Courses with Articulate Rise 360
The common curriculum and learning outcomes of
instructional design programs vary depending on the type and level of the
program, but generally include the following:
- Learning theories: You will
learn about the different theories and principles that explain how people
learn and how to apply them to your instructional design practice.
- Instructional
design models: You will learn about the different frameworks and processes that
guide your instructional design practice, such as the ADDIE model, the
Dick and Carey model, the Rapid Prototyping model, etc.
- Instructional
design principles: You will learn about the
different guidelines and best practices that inform your instructional
design decisions, such as Bloom’s taxonomy, Gagne’s nine events of
instruction, Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation, etc.
- Instructional
design strategies: You will learn about the
different methods and techniques that you can use to create effective and
engaging learning experiences, such as storytelling, scenario-based
learning, problem-based learning, case-based learning, etc.
- Instructional
design examples: You will learn from various examples of successful instructional
design projects and portfolios that showcase the application of
instructional design theories, models, principles, and strategies.
- Instructional
design tools: You will learn about the different tools and technologies that can
enhance your instructional design process and outcomes, such as authoring
tools, graphic tools, video tools, audio tools, etc.
By completing an instructional design degree or
certificate program, you will gain the following skills and competencies that
are essential for any instructional designer:
- Analytical
skills: You will be able to analyze the needs, goals, characteristics, and
preferences of your learners and stakeholders.
- Design skills: You will be
able to create learning objectives, outcomes, content, activities,
assessments, and feedback that align with your analysis.
- Development
skills: You will be able to produce high-quality learning materials using
various tools and technologies.
- Implementation
skills: You will be able to deliver your learning solutions using various
modes and platforms.
- Evaluation
skills: You will be able to measure the effectiveness and impact of your
learning solutions using various methods and criteria.
How to choose the right instructional design program for you?
Choosing the right instructional design program for you
depends on several factors, such as your career goals, interests, budget, time,
location, accreditation, etc. Here are some tips and resources to help you make
an informed decision:
- Identify your
career goals: Think about what kind of work you want to do as an instructional
designer and what kind of skills and qualifications you need to achieve
it. For example,
- If you want to
work as an instructional designer for a large company, focusing on things
like corporate training or technology tutorials, you may need more
practical and technical skills than theoretical and academic ones.
- If you want to
work as an instructional designer for a school district or a university,
focusing on things like online classes or curriculum design, you may need
more theoretical and academic skills than practical and technical ones.
- Research your
options: Explore the different types of instructional design degrees and
certificates available and compare them based on their features,
reputation, rankings, reviews, etc. You can use the following resources to
help you with your research:
- Instructional Design Central -
A comprehensive resource for instructional designers and educators that
provides a list of instructional design degrees and certificates offered
by various universities and institutions around the world.
- Coursera - A
leading online learning platform that offers various instructional design courses and certifications from top universities and industry leaders.
- LinkedIn Learning -
An online learning platform that offers various instructional design
courses and certifications from experts and practitioners in the field.
- Apply for the
most suitable program for you: Once you have narrowed down
your options, you can apply for the most suitable program for you by
following the admission requirements and procedures of the program. You
may need to submit the following documents and materials as part of your
application:
- A resume or CV
that highlights your education, work experience, skills, and achievements
related to instructional design.
- A personal
statement or essay that explains your motivation, goals, interests, and
expectations for pursuing an instructional design degree or certificate.
- A portfolio or
sample of your instructional design work that showcases your skills and
competencies in the field.
- A letter of
recommendation or reference from someone who can attest to your academic
or professional performance and potential in instructional design.
- A transcript
or diploma that shows your academic record and degree completion.
- A test score
or certificate that shows your proficiency in English or other languages
required by the program.
What are the career opportunities and salary prospects for instructional designers?
Instructional designers have a variety of career
opportunities and instructional designer salary prospects in different sectors and industries. Some of
the common roles and responsibilities of instructional designers are:
- Curriculum
designer: A curriculum designer is responsible for creating, developing, and
evaluating curricula for various educational levels and settings, such as
K-12, higher education, vocational education, etc.
- E-learning
designer: An e-learning designer is responsible for creating, developing,
and evaluating online learning solutions for various audiences and
contexts, such as students, employees, customers, etc.
- Training
designer: A training designer is responsible for creating, developing, and
evaluating training programs for various purposes and outcomes, such as
skill development, performance improvement, compliance, etc.
- Instructional
technologist: An instructional technologist is responsible for selecting,
implementing, and managing the tools and technologies that support the
instructional design process and outcomes, such as authoring tools,
learning management systems, multimedia tools, etc.
- Instructional
consultant: An instructional consultant is responsible for providing guidance,
advice, and support to other instructional designers or educators on how
to improve their instructional design practice and outcomes.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
the median annual wage for instructional coordinators (a category that includes
instructional designers) was $66,970 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned
less than $38,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104, 110. The
median annual wages for instructional coordinators in the top industries in
which they worked were as follows:
- Professional,
scientific, and technical services: $73, 940
- Government:
$72, 590
- Educational
services; state, local, and private: $65, 500
- Health care and
social assistance: $63, 960
The BLS also projects that employment of instructional
coordinators will grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for
all occupations. The demand for instructional designers will be driven by the
need to improve the quality of education and training in various sectors and
industries, especially in online learning.
However, the career opportunities and salary prospects
for instructional designers may vary depending on several factors, such as your
location, education, experience, skills, portfolio, network, etc. Therefore, it
is important to keep yourself updated with the latest trends and developments
in the field of instructional design and to showcase your value and potential
to your employers or clients.
Some of the challenges and trends that affect the field
of instructional design are:
- The rapid
changes in technology: Instructional designers need to
keep up with the latest tools and technologies that can enhance their
instructional design process and outcomes. They also need to be aware of
the advantages and disadvantages of using different technologies and how
to select the most appropriate ones for their learners and contexts.
- The increasing
diversity of learners: Instructional designers need to
consider the diverse needs, preferences, backgrounds, and characteristics
of their learners and how to design learning solutions that are inclusive,
accessible, and culturally responsive.
- The growing
demand for personalized and adaptive learning: Instructional
designers need to explore how to create learning solutions that can adapt
to the individual needs, goals, progress, and feedback of their learners
and provide them with personalized and relevant learning experiences.
- The rising
importance of data and analytics: Instructional designers need to
leverage data and analytics to inform their instructional design
decisions, measure their learning outcomes, and improve their learning
solutions. They also need to ensure the ethical and responsible use of
data and protect the privacy and security of their learners.
How to succeed as an instructional designer?
To succeed as an instructional designer, you need to
constantly improve your skills and performance in the field. Here are some
practical advice and best practices on how to do that:
- Keep learning: The field of
instructional design is constantly evolving and changing, so you need to
keep yourself updated with the latest theories, models, principles,
strategies, tools, and technologies in the field. You can do that by
taking online courses, reading books and articles, attending webinars and
workshops, joining professional associations and communities, etc.
- Keep practicing: The best way
to improve your skills and competencies as an instructional designer is to
practice them in real-world projects and scenarios. You can do that by
working on your own projects or collaborating with others on theirs. You
can also seek feedback from your peers, mentors, clients, or learners on
how to improve your work.
- Keep reflecting: The process
of instructional design is not linear or static, but iterative and
dynamic. You need to constantly reflect on your instructional design
practice and outcomes and identify what works well and what needs
improvement. You can do that by using various methods and tools, such as
journals, portfolios, checklists, rubrics, etc.
Some of the tools and technologies that can enhance
your instructional design process and outcomes are:
- Authoring tools: These are
software applications that allow you to create interactive and multimedia
learning materials without requiring coding or programming skills. Some
examples are Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Lectora Inspire, etc.
- Learning
management systems (LMS): These are software platforms
that allow you to deliver, manage, track, and report on your learning
solutions. Some examples are Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, etc.
- Multimedia
tools: These are software applications that allow you to create or edit
various types of media, such as images, audio, video, animations, etc.
Some examples are Photoshop, Audacity, Camtasia, etc.
Some of the professional development opportunities and
networks that can help you advance your career and knowledge as an
instructional designer are:
- Certifications: These are
credentials that validate your skills and competencies in a specific area
or topic of instructional design. Some examples are Certified Professional
in Learning & Performance (CPLP), Certified Professional in Training
Management (CPTM), Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF), etc.
- Conferences: These are
events that bring together instructional designers and other professionals
in the field to share their insights, experiences, best practices,
research findings, etc. Some examples are DevLearn Conference & Expo,
Learning Solutions Conference & Expo, ATD International Conference
& Exposition, etc.
- Communities: These are
groups or platforms that connect instructional designers and other
professionals in the field to exchange ideas, resources, feedback,
support, etc. Some examples are Instructional Design Central, The
eLearning Guild, Association for Educational Communications &
Technology (AECT), etc.
Conclusion
Instructional design is a rewarding and challenging
career that requires a combination of education, training, skills, and
experience. If you want to become an instructional designer with an
instructional design degree, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose the
right instructional design program for you based on your career goals,
interests, budget, time, location, accreditation, etc.
- Apply for the
most suitable program for you by following the admission requirements and
procedures of the program.
- Complete the
program by following the curriculum and learning outcomes of the program.
- Seek career
opportunities and salary prospects in various sectors and industries as an
instructional designer.
- Succeed as an
instructional designer by constantly improving your skills and performance
in the field.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to become an instructional designer with an instructional design degree.