The many facets of instructional design

Instructional design (ID) activities differ greatly, depending on the mode of delivery. Creating learning can take many different forms, and the role of an instructional designer includes many specialist skills, from needs analysis to cross-platform implementation.

Instructional design for face-to-face or instructor-led virtual training

For these learning modes, ID means supporting the instructor to facilitate live learning sessions, taking into account the facilitator’s skills, the learning cohort, the external learning environment, and resources such as (digital) hand-outs, running sheets, guides, and learning props.

Self-directed eLearning on LMS

Here, the focus of ID is to create interactive, engaging learning content to maximise learner engagement on and offline. IDs need to be aware of different LMS’s functionalities and technology constraints.

Microlearning and performance support tools

This requires the ID to create short, sharp, on-the-job learning pieces or digital tools that can be accessed at the point of need. The ID needs to take into account the nature of the task and requirements of the role and understand the goals of the business.

Subject matter experts and instructional design

IDs work closely with subject matter experts to ensure the learning content is factually accurate and contextualised correctly. This requires high-level communication and organisational skills from the instructional designer.

Instructional designers visualise and tell stories

In eLearning, strong, relevant visuals (video or animation) play an important role in making the learning more accessible, authentic, and memorable. IDs need to know how to create contextualised scenarios to support the learning outcomes.

So we can ensure all our clients’ needs are met, Liberate Learning has the full stack of instructional design skills in-house.