What is Instructional Design?

1. What is Instructional Design? A quick primer on instructional design and why you may benefit from it

2. Table of Contents • What is Instructional Design? • Why should I care? • Adults learn much differently than students • Adult learning principles emphasize applying knowledge • What does an instructional designer do? • About the Author Karen G. Phelan 973-657-1291

3. What is Instructional Design? • Instructional design is the process of assessing the performance shortfalls of a particular population and then developing a program to teach the needed skills. • Instructional design emphasizes learning objectives and the attainment of skills. • Good instructional design radically improves the retention rate of the new material. Karen G. Phelan 973-657-1291

4. Why should I care? • Much research in last twenty years has shown the inadequacy of lecture/presentation teaching methods in gaining new knowledge and skills. • Unless trainees have the opportunity to apply, discuss, and synthesize new material, it will be forgotten in about a month. • People vary in the way they learn, and effective instruction should accommodate different learning styles. • Instructional design focuses on adult learners. Karen G. Phelan 973-657-1291

5. Adults learn much differently than students Student Entry Career Mature Career • “What’s in it for me?” • “Just give me the facts.” • Knowledge is possession. • Knowledge is right or wrong. • Learning is to get something. • “What do you think I should know?” • “How can I better meet others’ expectations?” • Knowledge is expert advice and opinions. • Learning is to be something. • “What is important for me to learn and succeed?” • I am responsible for my own learning. • Knowledge is an interpretation of facts, theories, etc., and our own experience. • Learning improves our life. Taken from Transformation Learning in Adulthood by Portnow, Popp, Broderick, Drago-Severson, and Kegan. Karen G. Phelan 973-657-1291

6. Adult Learning principles emphasize applying knowledge Most corporate training programs follow the guidelines of adult learning theory, developed by Malcolm Knowles and others. Adults learn: • by doing – training should have heavy emphasis on application. • using practical situations- adults must have a use for the information and learn it in that context. • by synthesizing and retaining knowledge through discussing and practicing examples. Adults do not learn well in theoretical, lecture environments. Karen G. Phelan 973-657-1291

7. What does an instructional designer do? • If required, assesses the needs of the target audience. • Works with client to determine goals and learning objectives of a particular program. • Works with a subject matter or content expert to design a program that appeals to a variety of learning styles and adult learning preferences. • Develops materials that aid in retention. • Helps to implement the program. • Evaluates the effectiveness of the program. • Makes improvements and updates when required. Karen G. Phelan 973-657-1291