{"id":17712,"date":"2023-11-14T16:21:20","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T12:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=17712"},"modified":"2026-03-27T12:46:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T08:46:48","slug":"how-to-become-an-instructional-designer-6-steps-to-hit-the-bulls-eye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/how-to-become-an-instructional-designer","title":{"rendered":"How to Become an Instructional Designer: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When you take an eLearning course or watch an instructional video, who do you think is behind it all? It might not be the coach you see on your screen. A great deal of the course development process rests on an instructional designer\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n<p>Going pro doesn\u2019t happen overnight, but if you still have the passion and drive to study and practice, read our complete guide on how to become an instructional designer. We asked eLearning experts to share their insights to point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n<p>Feel free to bookmark this article and come back for more insights. And make sure to <a href=\"\/guides\/an-instructional-designer-s-notebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">download our Instructional Designer\u2019s notebook<\/a>, a\u00a0collection of interactive guides, checklists, and tips on instructional design and eLearning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy\">\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy__description\">\n<div><a class=\"inside-article-academy__logo\" href=\"\/ispringacademy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"inside-article-academy__logo-img\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/academy-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"166\" height=\"20\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy__title\">Create interactive online courses like a pro<\/div>\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy__subtitle\">Master every stage of interactive course development with 20 video lessons. Apply theory to practice with expert instructional designers.<\/div>\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy__links\">\n<div><a class=\"inside-article-academy__button\" href=\"\/ispringacademy\/video-course?ref=blog-insert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Register now<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy__link-block\"><a class=\"inside-article-academy__link\" href=\"\/ispringacademy\/video-course\/request?ref=blog-insert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get a demo lesson<\/a> <span class=\"inside-article-academy__link-arrow arrow\">\u2192<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inside-article-academy__image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"inside-article-academy__image\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/academy-banner-in-article.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"What-Is-an-Instructional-Designer?\"><a id=\"what-is-an-instructional-designer\"><\/a>What Is an Instructional Designer?<\/h2>\n<p>If you have friends outside of the eLearning world, they are likely to ask you what on earth an instructional designer is. Here is the answer you can give them: An instructional designer is an eLearning expert who gathers information from subject matter experts and uses instructional theories and models to create engaging and effective learning experiences.<\/p>\n<p>Then your friends might say: \u201cOkay, but what is it exactly that they do?\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"What-Instructional-Designers-Do\"><a id=\"what-instructional-designers-do\"><\/a>What Instructional Designers Do<\/h2>\n<p>Instructional design is the art and science of creating learning experiences that help people gain the skills they need. The aim of the instructional designer is to identify knowledge and skill gaps, and find the most powerful ways to close them, whether through online courses, games, or training videos.<\/p>\n<p>Instructional designers need to be experts in both how people learn and how to create content using technologies. They should be able to use <a href=\"\/blog\/html5-authoring-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">authoring tools<\/a> to create and deliver appealing learning materials and make training faster, easier, and more effective.<\/p>\n<p>The roles and responsibilities of instructional designers are quite varied. They include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Defining clear <a href=\"\/blog\/learning-goals-and-objectives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">learning objectives<\/a> and creating compelling content that aligns with them.<\/li>\n<li>Interacting with subject matter experts (SMEs) to collect information based on the learners\u2019 needs.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/elearning-storyboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Creating a detailed storyboard<\/a> of how an e-course should look and which interactions it should include.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-create-online-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Making online courses<\/a> with an authoring tool for learning and skill building, and developing tests and assignments for performing knowledge checks and evaluating training effectiveness.<\/li>\n<li>Creating supporting materials that include multimedia, e.g., audio, video, screencasts, and gamification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re going to become an instructional designer, the specifics of your job will depend on at least these two factors:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What field you\u2019ll be working in (corporate, higher education, government, non-profit)<\/li>\n<li>Whether you will work full-time, part-time, or freelance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a closer look at these factors.<\/p>\n<h3>Instructional design specifics in various fields<\/h3>\n<p>Nowadays, everyone needs online learning: small companies, large enterprises, universities, and nonprofits. These fields have both similarities and differences. Check out this table to get a general idea of the instructional design specifics for each one:<\/p>\n<div class=\"table_wrapper\">\n<table class=\"bordered_table\">\n<caption>ID specifics in different fields<\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><strong>Corporate<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Higher education<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Government<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Nonprofit<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Who your learners will be<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>employees, partners, customers<\/td>\n<td>students<\/td>\n<td>government and military personnel<\/td>\n<td>board members, staff, volunteers, donors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>What eLearning content you will design<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>onboarding, compliance training, hard skills training, soft skills training, product knowledge training<\/td>\n<td>mostly in-person courses converted to an online format, academic subject courses<\/td>\n<td>orientation, hard and soft skills training, etc.<\/td>\n<td>courses on fundraising, grant writing, and accounting, governance training, etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Average salary<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>$86,327<\/td>\n<td>$62,068<\/td>\n<td>$85,478<\/td>\n<td>$78,025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Main advantage of working in the field<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>high salary<\/td>\n<td>work-life balance<\/td>\n<td>interesting projects that affect many people<\/td>\n<td>challenging projects steered toward societal good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Main disadvantage of working in the field<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>possibility of overwork<\/td>\n<td>limited career opportunities<\/td>\n<td>bureaucracy and hierarchy<\/td>\n<td>limited career opportunity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Full-Time IDs vs. Freelance IDs<\/h3>\n<p>Apart from deciding what field you would like to work in, you should also determine how you would like to work. You can either be self-employed or work for a single company full-time (or part-time). Let\u2019s see the specifics of these formats and their pros and cons.<\/p>\n<h4>Full-time instructional designer<\/h4>\n<p>A full-time job is something many instructional designers look for when they start out in the field. It may be comforting because you\u2019re focused only on providing learning experiences for employees or students, and all other job-related duties lie in other departments.<\/p>\n<p>However, you might find yourself quite limited in terms of choosing eLearning project topics, course development tools, and more.<\/p>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons\">\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__col\">\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__top b-pros__top\">\n<p class=\"b-pros-cons__title\">Pros<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__body\">\n<ul class=\"b-pros-cons__list\">\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-pros__li\">Stability<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-pros__li\">Only instructional design duties<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-pros__li\">eLearning tool expanses lie with the company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__col b-cons__col\">\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__top b-cons__top\">\n<p class=\"b-pros-cons__title\">Cons<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__body\">\n<ul class=\"b-pros-cons__list\">\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-cons__li\">Inexperienced beginners may receive a lower salary<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-cons__li\">No opportunity to choose projects<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-cons__li\">Strict working hours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">Pros and cons of being a full-time instructional designer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Freelance instructional designer<\/h4>\n<p>A freelance instructional designer has more freedom in every respect: when and where to work, what projects to accept, which tools to use, and more. Still, any freelance job can be tricky. Although you have full control over your work and can take only the projects you\u2019re excited about, it doesn\u2019t necessarily happen like that \u2013 especially for beginners.<\/p>\n<p>There just might not be enough interesting projects for you to earn a decent income from. So, you have to work on something less thrilling than you would prefer, and you have to perform the extra work of running your business (marketing, taxes, management, negotiations, etc.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons\">\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__col\">\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__top b-pros__top\">\n<p class=\"b-pros-cons__title\">Pros<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__body\">\n<ul class=\"b-pros-cons__list\">\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-pros__li\">Freedom of choosing projects, when and where to work, what tools to use, etc.<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-pros__li\">Potentially higher income<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-pros__li\">Independence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__col b-cons__col\">\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__top b-cons__top\">\n<p class=\"b-pros-cons__title\">Cons<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"b-pros-cons__body\">\n<ul class=\"b-pros-cons__list\">\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-cons__li\">Extra tasks<\/li>\n<li class=\"b-pros-cons__li b-cons__li\">Instability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">Pros and cons of being a frelance instructional designer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"The-Skills-Instructional-Designers-Should-Have\"><a id=\"skills-id-should-have\"><\/a>The Skills Instructional Designers Should Have<\/h2>\n<p>Whether you aspire to be a full-time or freelance instructional designer, these are the essential skills you need to develop.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Creative thinking<\/strong>. As an eLearning developer, it\u2019s key to be able to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. This will help spice up the content to engage learners and make complex concepts easy to understand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multimedia design skills<\/strong>. Being handy with multimedia tools and software, such as video editing, visual design, and audio production, really helps when creating captivating eLearning content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Project management<\/strong>. Instructional designers often find themselves handling multiple projects at once. So, having the ability to set deadlines, manage resources, coordinate with stakeholders, and keep everything running on time and within budget is crucial.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collaborative skills<\/strong>. eLearning designers frequently work with subject matter experts and other stakeholders. They need to communicate and collaborate with these individuals effectively to ensure that the learning materials meet the desired outcomes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adaptability and a willingness to learn<\/strong>. The instructional design world is always evolving with new tools, technologies, and approaches constantly emerging. That means instructional designers have to be open to continuous learning and updating their skills to provide the best possible learning experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To gain insight from other eLearning experts on the essential skills every instructional designer must have, read our <a href=\"\/blog\/top-5-instructional-designer-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">article on the top 5 instructional designer skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"How-Much-an-Instructional-Designer-Gets-Paid\"><a id=\"how-much-an-id-gets-paid\"><\/a>How Much an Instructional Designer Gets Paid<\/h2>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/Salaries\/instructional-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_Cn9MNFELtRytVxO4ZEzIBJqxLk9u4mne7CcIxf3ZTjE-1634725609-0-gqNtZGzNAnujcnBszRKl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Glassdoor<\/a>, the average instructional designer salary in America is $71,070 per year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devlinpeck.com\/posts\/instructional-designer-report-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Devlin Peck<\/a>, an eLearning expert, provides a different number \u2013 $85,466 per year. Of course, \u2018average\u2019 means you can earn both much more than and much less. There are 5 major factors that can affect your income:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">1. Level of education<\/span><\/p>\n<p>According to the survey conducted by Devlin Peck, eLearning specialists with a master\u2019s degree get the highest salary: with a master\u2019s degree, you\u2019ll generally earn $2,000 more than you would with only a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">2. Geography<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Instructional design incomes vary depending on what country you live in and work in. The highest average salaries are in America ($85,466) and Australia ($89,905), while the lowest are in the UK ($52,012) and India ($11,535).<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">3. Size of the organization<\/span><\/p>\n<p>According to Glassdoor, an average instructional design salary in small companies is $69,750 and $75,024 in large enterprises.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">4. Instructional design field<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The field you work in has a great influence on how much you get paid. Take a look at Devlin Peck\u2019s data on average salaries in instructional design fields:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Corporate: $86,327<\/li>\n<li>Government: $85,478<\/li>\n<li>Nonprofit: $78,025<\/li>\n<li>Higher education: $62,068<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>5. Professional experience<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Glassdoor states that the average salary of an instructional designer with 0-3 years of experience is $63,653, while the wage for those with over 15 years is $84,528. According to Devlin Peck, IDs with 0-3 years of professional experience receive the lowest salary of $71,961, and those with 16-20 years receive the highest average salary of $110,737.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"How-to-Get-Instructional-Design-Experience\"><a id=\"how-to-get-id-experience\"><\/a>How to Get Instructional Design Experience<\/h2>\n<p>Professional experience can be an essential factor during your job interview. You might even get the position without it, but this would definitely have an impact on your salary. So, how can you get course development experience? There are at least 3 ways to do this:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">University projects<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re getting a master\u2019s degree in instructional design, you have plenty of opportunities to get your first professional experience. You\u2019ll be involved in different eLearning projects for organizations, and your final project is likely to be a course on some topic.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">Volunteering<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re currently working in a different field, you can volunteer at your workplace to create an eLearning project. That way, you\u2019ll be creating a course about something you know about \u2013 which is great \u2013 and you\u2019ll get a chance to check whether instructional design is right for you.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">Networking and consulting<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Find other instructional designers on LinkedIn and follow them. They might post job vacancies from time to time. Or, you could participate in an eLearning project as a consultant. Besides, networking is a crucial part of the eLearning world, so you might want to start doing that right away.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"How-to-Become-an-Instructional-Designer\"><a id=\"how-to-become-an-id\"><\/a>How to Become an Instructional Designer<\/h2>\n<p>There are 4 main paths to instructional design: the direct path, transitioning from teaching, transitioning from a position as a school administrator, and getting there from a noneducational sphere. Let\u2019s look at each of them:<\/p>\n<h3>Direct path<\/h3>\n<p>The direct path is for people who want to get into the eLearning world right after they graduate from university. If you\u2019re currently finishing your bachelor\u2019s degree and thinking about getting a master\u2019s in instructional design, check out the best academic courses listed <a href=\"#h814skyip8zeap8y6z61rtdgheqn3932\">later in the article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s important to keep in mind is that, unlike teachers, school administrators, and other professionals, you don\u2019t have any professional experience yet. So, it would be great if you could get that while attending university.<\/p>\n<h3>Transitioning from teaching<\/h3>\n<p>Teachers and university professors have lots of teaching experience, know teaching models, strategies, and much more. But this could be both a great advantage and a limitation. You see, instructional design differs from traditional teaching. You have different learners, different tools, different models, and your role is different too. It\u2019s important that you realize this, acquire new knowledge and skills, and adapt your previous experience and knowledge to your new profession.<\/p>\n<p>Download our <a href=\"\/guides\/transitioning-from-teaching-to-instructional-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">comprehensive journey map \u201cTransitioning from Teaching to Instructional Design.\u201d<\/a> It includes everything you need to start out in your new career: all the basic instructional design theories and models, practical guides, checklists, ID volunteer opportunities, job interview questions, and much more!<\/p>\n<h3>Transitioning from a role as a school administrator<\/h3>\n<p>School administration might be a great background for instructional design \u2013 especially if you\u2019re looking for freelance work. You already have the necessary organizational skills, such as learner management or curriculum design, that some eLearning specialists might find complicated. However, to create online courses, you\u2019ll need to study instructional design theory and upgrade your design skills.<\/p>\n<h3>From a noneducational sphere<\/h3>\n<p>The fact that you don\u2019t have any prior teaching experience might be your advantage. First of all, you will not mix teaching knowledge and skills up with those of instructional design \u2013 you\u2019re like a blank page, and you can fill yourself only with relevant information.<\/p>\n<p>Also, you are likely to have worked somewhere, which makes you an expert in that particular field. So, you can become an instructional designer who specializes in that sphere. Let\u2019s suppose you used to build cars. Imagine how preferable you would look among other learning designers who don\u2019t have such experience and apply for an ID job at Mercedes or Volkswagen. Study ID theory, practice, network, and you\u2019ll be great.<\/p>\n<p>No matter which path you take, following these steps will be of great help If you want to know how to become an instructional designer:<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Step-1:-Study-ID-Models,-Theories,-and-Strategies\">Step 1: Study ID Models, Theories, and Strategies<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve realized that your dream is to become an instructional designer and you want to make it come true as quickly as possible. The first thing you need to do is learn the basics of eLearning, study instructional design models, theories, and strategies, and get certifications to prove your competence. There are two basic ways to do that: university programs and nonacademic courses.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"h814skyip8zeap8y6z61rtdgheqn3932\">The best instructional design university programs<\/h3>\n<p>Check out these five university programs. All of them are focused on innovative eLearning approaches and modern technologies, methods, and techniques.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Indiana University Bloomington: Instructional Systems Technology<\/li>\n<li>Florida State University: Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies<\/li>\n<li>University of Georgia: Educational Psychology<\/li>\n<li>Purdue University: Learning Design and Technology<\/li>\n<li>Michigan State University: Educational Psychology and Technology<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>The best instructional design courses<\/h3>\n<p>If you don\u2019t feel like taking a full-fledged master\u2019s program, you can take an online course. We\u2019ve collected five great instructional design courses for you to check out. If you want to learn more about each of them and see some other courses, check <a href=\"\/blog\/instructional-design-certificate-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.idolcourses.com\/academy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">IDOL Courses<\/a> (Instructional Design Academy)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwstout.edu\/programs\/instructional-design-certificate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Instructional Design Certificate \u2013 4 courses<\/a> (University of Wisconsin-Stout)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.extension.harvard.edu\/academics\/professional-graduate-certificates\/learning-design-technology-certificate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate<\/a> (Harvard Extension School)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edx.org\/micromasters\/usmx-umgc-instructional-design-technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MicroMasters Program in Instructional Design and Technology<\/a> (University of Maryland)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/learn\/teach-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Learning to Teach Online<\/a> (Coursera)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Instructional design models<\/h3>\n<p>For those who want to study instructional design theory on their own, we\u2019ve prepared the basic info on various ID models. Check them out:<\/p>\n<h4>ADDIE Model<\/h4>\n<p>The first handy design tool you should have in your eLearning arsenal is the ADDIE framework.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\" style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"text-align: center\" title=\"ADDIE Model\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642422877.png\" alt=\"ADDIE Model\" width=\"700\" height=\"287\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">\u00a0The ADDIE Model<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The ADDIE model has been around since the 70s and tackles the five stages each eLearning project goes through (which gives rise to the acronym). They are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Analysis.<\/strong> In the analysis phase, you need to clarify at least two things. Who is your target audience, and what should they know or be able to do after completing the course?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Design.<\/strong> Now that it\u2019s clear who you\u2019ll train and what knowledge they should get, you need to understand how. Which instructional methods, activities, textual content, and media assets will you use to create a killer learning experience?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Development.<\/strong> Now it\u2019s time to translate all this into reality. You need to storyboard the text, produce graphics and videos, and develop the learning interactions outlined in the design stage. Then, gather all the content and start building a course. This can be a challenging and time-consuming phase, but authoring tools can make your job quicker and easier.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Implementation.<\/strong> This is the phase where the course goes live. Since it\u2019s ready now, share it with your learners. For example, you can deliver a course right to the LMS that they use.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evaluation.<\/strong> Since evaluation can help make training even better, it\u2019s crucial to gather learners\u2019 feedback. You need to find out what works, and what should be improved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Make sure to read about the <a href=\"\/blog\/addie-model\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ADDIE model<\/a> in more detail.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>SAM (Successive Approximations Model)<\/h4>\n<p>The SAM model is a more recent instructional design model, created by eLearning pioneer Michael Allen. It\u2019s built to help you design meaningful, memorable, and motivational learning experiences.<\/p>\n<p>The SAM model is an alternative to the ADDIE model and aims to fix some limitations of its predecessor. The main difference is probably that, with the SAM model, there\u2019s more creativity and freedom in the project creation process, while ADDIE has a strict structure that makes you follow each step. Here\u2019s how you\u2019ll create your eLearning project if you choose SAM:<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"SAM (Successive Approximations Model)\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423106.png\" alt=\"SAM (Successive Approximations Model)\" width=\"700\" height=\"206\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">\u00a0 SAM (Successive Approximations Model)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Preparation Phase<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Collect background information on learners\u2019 prior knowledge, weaknesses, strengths, and other factors. Brainstorm ideas on every aspect of your project. By the end of this phase, you are to come up with a potential design for every content area.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Iterative Design Phase<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Design and prototype your project and send it to other people for review. Based on the feedback, fix the weaknesses.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Iterative Development Phase<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Finish your online course and implement it. Collect feedback from your learners, evaluate the training program, and fix issues if necessary by returning to the iterative design phase.<\/p>\n<h4>Gagn\u00e9\u2019s Nine Events of Instruction<\/h4>\n<p>Gagn\u00e9\u2019s Nine Events of Instruction, when used together, form a framework for a successful learning process. The idea is that once you complete each step, your learners are likely to be more engaged in learning and subsequently retain new knowledge and skills. Consider these events when designing an eLearning course:<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Gagn\u00e9\u2019s Nine Events of Instruction\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423158.png\" alt=\"Gagn\u00e9\u2019s Nine Events of Instruction\" width=\"700\" height=\"425\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">Gagn\u00e9\u2019s Nine Events of Instruction<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Kirkpatrick\u2019s Four-Level Training Evaluation Model<\/h4>\n<p>Don Kirkpatrick suggests 4 levels of training evaluation: Reaction, Learning, Impact, and Results.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Kirkpatrick\u2019s Four-Level Training Evaluation Model\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423230.png\" alt=\"Kirkpatrick\u2019s Four-Level Training Evaluation Model\" width=\"700\" height=\"270\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">Kirkpatrick\u2019s Four-Level Training Evaluation Model<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Here\u2019s what to do if you decide to evaluate your course with this model:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Level 1: Reaction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Collect learners\u2019 feedback on the course.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Level 2: Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Measure how much new knowledge learners gained from your course.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Level 3: Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Assess how much an employee\u2019s behavior changed after the training program.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Level 4: Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Analyze quality, efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction ratings to evaluate the overall impact of your course on the organization.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure to learn about this and other <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-evaluate-a-training-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">training evaluation models<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>The Revised Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy<\/h4>\n<p>The original Bloom\u2019s taxonomy included these 6 categories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Knowledge<\/li>\n<li>Comprehension<\/li>\n<li>Application<\/li>\n<li>Analysis<\/li>\n<li>Synthesis<\/li>\n<li>Evaluation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>However, in 2001, a group of cognitive psychologists and education specialists offered a revision of this taxonomy that proved to be more effective. Instead of nouns used by Benjamin Bloom, they used action words \u2013 verbs and gerunds \u2013 that describe the learner\u2019s cognitive processes. They also changed the sequence and replaced the \u201cSynthesis\u201d category with the \u201cCreate\u201d step. Check it out:<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"The Revised Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423415.png\" alt=\"The Revised Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy\" width=\"700\" height=\"292\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">The Revised Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">1. Remember<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Recall facts and basic concepts.<\/p>\n<p>Define, duplicate, list, memorize, repeat, state.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">2. Understand<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Explain ideas or concepts.<\/p>\n<p>Describe, discuss, explain, identify, locate, recognize, report, select, translate.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">3. Apply<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Use information in new situations.<\/p>\n<p>Execute, implement, solve, use, demonstrate, interpret, operate, schedule, sketch.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">4. Analyze<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Establish connections among ideas.<\/p>\n<p>Differentiate, organize, relate, compare, contrast, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">5. Evaluate<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Justify a stand or decision.<\/p>\n<p>Appraise, argue, defend, judge, select, support, value, critique, weigh.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em;font-weight: bold\">6. Create<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Produce original work.<\/p>\n<p>Design, assemble, construct, conjecture, develop, formulate, author.<\/p>\n<h4>Waterfall Model<\/h4>\n<p>The Waterfall model is a sequential linear adaptation of the ADDIE model that includes these 6 steps: feasibility, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Waterfall Model\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423457.png\" alt=\"Waterfall Model\" width=\"700\" height=\"320\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">The Waterfall Model<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The model is based on the idea that each following step is easier than the previous one, as is the case with a waterfall: water falls faster and faster until it hits the ground. The course development happens quickly because once you finish a step, you don\u2019t come back to it, so you don\u2019t spend extra time running through content, visuals, and other project components. However, this might affect the overall course quality.<\/p>\n<h4>Merrill\u2019s Principles of Instruction<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">David Merrill suggested 5 instructional design principles that will help you create a truly effective learning experience:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Merrill\u2019s Principles of Instruction\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423515.png\" alt=\"Merrill\u2019s Principles of Instruction\" width=\"700\" height=\"418\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\">Merrill\u2019s Principles of Instruction<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Principle 1: Problem-Centered<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Engage learners by letting them solve real-world problems:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Show an example of the task that learners will perform.<\/li>\n<li>Make sure learners understand what they are going to do and are interested in the task.<\/li>\n<li>Provide learners with a basic problem, then give them a complex real-life problem to solve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Principle 2: Activation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Activate learners\u2019 existing knowledge and use it as a foundation for new knowledge. Ask them about their relevant experience and knowledge, and make up examples and tasks that connect both with these experiences and new information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Principle 3: Demonstration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Learners need to see everything: learning outcomes, new knowledge application examples, etc. Your task is to show it to them using media that will engage them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Principle 4: Application<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Let learners apply what they\u2019ve learned. Provide them with guidance on how to use new knowledge and skills, and give them an opportunity to practice them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Principle 5: Integration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Help learners integrate new knowledge into their world. In order to do this, let them demonstrate new skills to others, reflect on them, and encourage learners to transfer what they have learned into their lives.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">AGILE<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>AGILE is another course development model that focuses on one eLearning module at a time. You move to the next one only after you\u2019ve finished the previous one. This results in a higher quality course because you pay more attention to details in each segment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper image_wrapper_caption_margin\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"AGILE Model\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2022\/01\/ispring-blog-image-1642423566.png\" alt=\"AGILE Model\" width=\"700\" height=\"206\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"caption\" style=\"text-align: center\">The AGILE model<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>So, here\u2019s what you should do according to the AGILE model:<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Align<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Set goals and objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Get Set<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Plan how you are going to develop your eLearning project.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Iterate and implement<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Develop the project following the plan.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Deploy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Test the module.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Evaluate<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Collect feedback, analyze, and assess the module. Fix any issues.<\/p>\n<h3>Instructional design essentials<\/h3>\n<p>If you want to deliver good knowledge and skills, and keep your learners engaged and motivated, you need to understand them. Realize how they absorb the information, what drives them to better learning results, and, conversely, what can be a distraction.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re going to promote training in the workplace, start exploring the psychology and behaviors of the average adult learner. Of course, there\u2019s no single learning approach that works for everyone, though there are some generic aspects common to all people that you should know about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adult learners have a wealth of experience to draw on when learning and they want their voices heard.<\/li>\n<li>They learn best when there are opportunities to self-reflect and internalize the learning.<\/li>\n<li>They aren\u2019t used to receiving direction in education and want to be respected for their experience. Ideally, they want to contribute their experience and wisdom when in a learning environment, rather than just absorbing content.<\/li>\n<li>Adult learners need a purpose or motivation for learning. It might be that learning a framework can make a process more efficient and\/or the learning might help them achieve goals \u2013 ranging from realizing personal achievements to improving in their current role, or even preparing for a new role.<\/li>\n<li>They want their ideas and learning needs to be incorporated into the process; they want to be involved.<\/li>\n<li>Many adult learners are self-directed, meaning they like to learn independently in a self-paced environment.<\/li>\n<li>They don\u2019t have a lot of extra time in their day or life for learning and prefer chunks\/bursts of learning (<a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-microlearning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">microlearning<\/a>) and individualized training. They are more motivated to learn if they have quick wins by completing learning rapidly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To delve deeper into how adults learn, you can also explore existing adult learning theories, including <strong>Transformational, Experiential, and Individualized (Centric) learning, as well as Andragogy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Step-2.-Learn-the-Basics-of-Visual-Design\">Step 2. Learn the Basics of Visual Design<\/h2>\n<p>The way that content is displayed affects how people perceive it. Visual design isn\u2019t just about making things look nice. When done correctly, it helps make content easier to consume and saves learners\u2019 minds from cognitive overload.<\/p>\n<p>You might argue that visuals don\u2019t matter in eLearning. But let\u2019s be realistic, the four basic principles of visual design, such as contrast, proximity, repetition, and alignment, are hard to argue against.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a closer look at each principle:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Contrast<\/strong>: Contrast is all about making things stand out by using different colors, sizes, or typography. It helps highlight important information, draws attention to key concepts, and makes content more visually appealing. For example, using different colors for headers and body text makes things easier to read and helps learners distinguish between different sections of content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Proximity<\/strong>: Proximity is when you group related elements together to show they\u2019re connected. By putting similar things close to each other, you let learners know that they\u2019re related and organized. For example, grouping together images, text, and icons helps learners see how different parts of a concept or topic fit together.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Repetition<\/strong>: Repetition means using the same visual elements, like colors, fonts, or styles, throughout your materials. By repeating certain design elements, you can provide a cohesive visual experience for learners. This helps reinforce learning by establishing patterns that learners can recognize and associate with specific information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Alignment<\/strong>: Alignment is about arranging visual elements in relation to each other. Proper alignment creates a sense of order and structure in training materials, making them more visually pleasing and easier to read. You should align text, images, and other elements in a way that ensures their visual harmony and promotes a more fluid navigation. Well-aligned content enables learners to engage with the material more effectively and avoids distracting or confusing visual clutter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This was just a brief introduction to visual design. To delve deeper into this topic, check out our <a href=\"\/blog\/online-course-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">article on the basic principles of graphic design<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Step-3.-Choose-the-eLearning-Tool-for-the-Current-and-Specific-Use\">Step 3. Choose the eLearning Tool for the Current and Specific Use<\/h2>\n<p>So, now you\u2019ve got the necessary theoretical ID background. If you\u2019re hoping to move further toward a career as an instructional designer, you need to gain some technical skills. You can start by studying our list of <a href=\"\/blog\/50-best-instructional-design-software-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">50+ tools for instructional designers<\/a>. Of course, you might not need them all, but you\u2019ll be able to choose one or more tools for your current tasks.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you might try <a href=\"\/ispring-suite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iSpring Suite<\/a>. This is an authoring toolkit that allows you to build interactive courses containing different types of eLearning content quickly and easily. You can enhance slides with tests and drag-and-drop activities, add video and audio narrations, build realistic dialogue simulations, and record and fine-tune screencasts and training videos with the integrated video studio.<\/p>\n<p>Experience this eLearning demo to see what a course created with iSpring Suite looks like:<\/p>\n<div class=\"iframe_preview_wrapper narrow js-demo-iframe\">\n<div class=\"iframe_preview\"><a class=\"js-zoom-iframe active\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn4.ispringsolutions.com\/demos\/ispring-suite\/space-shuttle-demo\/index.html?_ga=2.68134807.728460103.1566801143-1972419152.1549369240\" data-height=\"600\" data-width=\"900\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809661.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"746\" height=\"501\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If this kind of content is exactly what you need, our <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-create-online-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide on how to create online eLearning courses<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PL3h507uK1S2nMmHf82iFxMZ5cQL9mVKXL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michael Sheyahshe\u2019s webinars<\/a> will walk you through the whole process.<\/p>\n<p>Still not sure? Explore some other amazing <a href=\"\/ispring-suite\/demos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">courses<\/a> made with iSpring Suite or download a <a href=\"\/ispring-suite\/trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free 14-day trial<\/a> and test drive all the features right now.<\/p>\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"freelancer-banner__image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.ispringsolutions.com\/ispring_content\/content\/images\/pixel-grey.gif\" alt=\"iSpring Suite freelancer\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"freelancer-banner__image_mobile\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.ispringsolutions.com\/ispring_content\/content\/images\/pixel-grey.gif\" alt=\"iSpring Suite freelancer\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__container\">\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__logo\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__title\">Freelance course\u00a0developer?<\/div>\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__text\"><span class=\"freelancer-banner__text_bold\">Save up to 35%<\/span> on your authoring tool!<\/div>\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__buttons-container\">\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__button\">Get Free Trial<\/div>\n<div class=\"freelancer-banner__link-with-arrow\">Explore iSpring Suite<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"Step-4.-Make-eLearning-Samples-and-Create-an-ID-Portfolio\">Step 4. Make eLearning Samples and Create an ID Portfolio<\/h2>\n<p>The next important step you need to take is to start practicing. Armed with all the necessary theoretical knowledge and an authoring tool, you can start creating sample e-courses. And why not present some of your samples in your resume?<\/p>\n<p>Having a good ID portfolio is the quickest way to get the job you\u2019re dreaming about. It\u2019ll provide your potential employers with an overview of your skills, educational background, creative abilities, and subject matter expertise. Check out some tips from Christy Tucker, Learning Experience Design Consultant and the owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syniadlearning.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Syniad Learning, LLC<\/a>:<\/p>\n<h3>Tips for making eLearning samples<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Make it short.<\/strong> Most prospective employers won\u2019t sit through a 30-minute module. Just include an interesting snippet that can be reviewed in under 5 minutes. A sample might be just a few slides, or even a single interaction that shows off your skills.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pick a topic you know or can research online.<\/strong> Topics like time management, handling customer objections, or software demos don\u2019t require much specialized knowledge. Topics related to workplace training are more effective as portfolio samples than overly simple topics like \u201chow to make a sandwich.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t focus only on visuals and interactions.<\/strong> Think about the learning objectives and show off your instructional design skills, not just flashy development skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Tips for creating an instructional design portfolio<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Include eLearning samples with descriptions.<\/strong> Describe your process and explain why you chose that approach.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focus on what you want to do.<\/strong> For example, if you love creating software training, include software simulations and quick reference guides.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mention only relevant information.<\/strong> If you can\u2019t stand working with a particular tool, don\u2019t include those samples in your portfolio. Also, those who want to develop in workplace training should avoid examples aimed at children and add samples that are relevant for adults.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Create your personal website.<\/strong> Of course, you can use various portfolio website builders, but, in my experience, the ideal solution is a personal website with a custom domain. When you own your own site, you have control over everything: how it looks and what you include.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Check out our step-by-step guide on <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-make-instructional-design-portfolio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">building an instructional design portfolio<\/a>. And take a look at these portfolio examples to get ideas on how to create your own personal portfolio. <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"table_wrapper narrow\">\n<table class=\"bordered_table white_table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809305.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"390\" \/><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.syniadlearning.com\/portfolio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Christy Tucker \u2192<\/a><\/td>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809317.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"390\" \/>Tracy Parish \u2192<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809421.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"390\" \/><a class=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cathellis.com\/portfolio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cath Ellis \u2192<\/a><\/td>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809433.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"390\" \/><a class=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.jackievannice.com\/?page_id=175059879\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jackie Van Nice \u2192<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809471.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"390\" \/><a class=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/tomwasham.com\/#\/portfolio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tom Washam \u2192<\/a><\/td>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566809489.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"390\" \/><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/bluejaylearning.com\/#portfolio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Houra Amin \u2192<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"Step-5.-Learn-from-Other-Instructional-Designers\u2019-Experiences\">Step 5. Learn from Other Instructional Designers\u2019 Experiences<\/h2>\n<p>Another vastly important piece of this puzzle is the human element. To become a good instructional designer and develop in your profession continuously, you need to learn from those who walked a similar path and came out on top. There are 3 principal ways to do this:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Read <a href=\"\/blog\/instructional-design-books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">instructional design books<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Watch instructional design videos<\/li>\n<li>Follow <a href=\"\/blog\/top-elearning-websites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">instructional design blogs and websites<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>We\u2019ve compiled the top lists for each of these resources. They all give insights on how to create better learning experiences, use authoring tools, and manage eLearning projects. Check them out!<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Step-6:-Prepare-for-the-Job-Interview\">Step 6: Prepare for the Job Interview<\/h2>\n<p>At some point, you\u2019ll need to go to a job interview, where a hiring manager will decide whether you\u2019re the right fit based on your answers. So, you\u2019ll need to be prepared. Here\u2019s what a hiring manager needs to know about you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you know instructional design theories, models, and strategies, and can apply them<\/li>\n<li>What work experience you have (if any)<\/li>\n<li>What tools you can use<\/li>\n<li>How well you understand the specifics of the company and its learning needs<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re a pleasant person to work with (your communication skills, interpersonal skills, and overall EQ \u2013 level of emotional intelligence)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you want to learn more, read our article on <a href=\"\/blog\/instructional-designer-interview-questions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11 instructional design interview questions and how to answer them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Step-7.-Keep-apace-with-Instructional-Design-and-eLearning-Trends\">Step 7. Keep apace with Instructional Design and eLearning Trends<\/h2>\n<p>An instructional designer should always stay up to date with two things: trends in instructional design and trends in eLearning technology. In fact, it\u2019s hard to separate them, since they are interdependent. However, the first is more about popular approaches to ID like <a href=\"\/blog\/video-based-learning-how-to-become-a-training-video-ninja\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video-based learning<\/a> or mobile learning, while the second is focused on emergent technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>When keeping updated on ID and eLearning trends, you may look into new areas and skills that you want to upgrade and find new ways to make learning experiences even better.<\/p>\n<div class=\"person bordered\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"person_photo\" title=\"\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/editor\/2019\/08\/ispring-blog-image-1566814041.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"165\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"caption_wrapper\">\n<p>Jeff Dalto, Senior L&amp;D Specialist at <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.convergencetraining.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Convergence Training<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>There are four sources of \u201ctrendy\u201d knowledge you shouldn\u2019t ignore:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>The simplest thing you can do is to find experts in the field in social media, including LinkedIn and Twitter, and keep up with what they\u2019re posting about.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Join professional organizations such as ATD and eLearning Guild. Follow them on social media and read their websites.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Attend conferences in the eLearning and training industry, where you can meet other professionals.\u00a0 Watch their informational presentations and see their product demos.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Create a \u201ccommunity of practice\u201d with like-minded coworkers or eLearning professionals in your area. Have regular meetings or webinars to discuss ideas, books, trends, and new products, and help one another keep abreast of what\u2019s what.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>You may try all this, but you need to be wary of marketing hype and the seductive qualities of the latest new things. There are a lot of unfounded learning myths out there already, and excitement over the newest trend has a tendency to add to that.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>So be open-minded to new trends, but also be skeptical; make sure the claims line up with what you know about how people learn and look for supporting data. Learning researchers like Dr. Will Thalheimer (and others) are great at helping you separate what\u2019s real from what\u2019s snake oil in the learning profession.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Frequently-Asked-Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p>Here are some important questions that instructional designers might need answers to:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Do I need a master\u2019s degree to work as an instructional designer?<\/h3>\n<p>A master\u2019s degree can be beneficial if you\u2019d like to land a job in a governmental or academic institution. However, it\u2019s typically not necessary for most corporate roles. Instead, focusing on building a strong portfolio that showcases your abilities will greatly enhance your chances for success.<\/p>\n<h3>2. How can I land an instructional design job with no experience?<\/h3>\n<p>You can build a portfolio to showcase your skills, and network with professionals in the industry to increase your chances of landing a job. Additionally, consider volunteering for local non-profits to gain practical experience or offering to design learning programs for your current employer.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Is instructional design a promising profession?<\/h3>\n<p>Definitely. The demand for instructional designers is increasing as more organizations recognize the importance of quality training and development programs. Furthermore, advancements in technology and the integration of interactive learning methods make this a field that is continuously evolving and full of opportunities.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"three_dots\" \/>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">A career in instructional design is exciting, but beginnings can be difficult and confusing. We hope our guide on how to become an instructional designer will help you start your career and move toward the top of your field, step by step. Remember\u00a0to <a href=\"\/guides\/an-instructional-designer-s-notebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">download our Instructional Designer\u2019s notebook<\/a>, a\u00a0collection of interactive guides, checklists, and tips you\u2019ll need in your new profession.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.003em\">Good luck!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;font-size: 34px;font-weight: 600;letter-spacing: -0.02em\">Takeaways<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Learning about different ID models and strategies will serve as the backbone of your online courses and will help you create engaging content.<\/li>\n<li>Studying the psychology and behaviors of the adult learner and exploring learning theories will help you provide your audience with the most meaningful and memorable eLearning experiences.<\/li>\n<li>Knowing the basics of visual design will let you create visually appealing content, make content easier to consume, and reduce cognitive overload.<\/li>\n<li>Along with a theoretical ID background, you need to gain some technical skills and choose eLearning tools that meet your requirements.<\/li>\n<li>Your ID portfolio should ideally be focused on the particular kind of work you want to do, and include eLearning samples with descriptions.<\/li>\n<li>Following some of the top instructional designers\u2019 blogs is an effective way to expand your knowledge of ID.<\/li>\n<li>When keeping up with ID and eLearning trends, look into new areas and skills that you want to upgrade and find new ways to make learning experiences even better.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"Useful-Resources\">Useful Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/instructional-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instructional Design: The Art of eLearning Architecture<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-make-instructional-design-portfolio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Create an Instructional Design Portfolio that Makes You Shine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/instructional-designer-salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instructional Designer Salary: Proven Ways to Earn More<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/instructional-design-certificate-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top Instructional Design Certificate Programs and Courses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/50-best-instructional-design-software-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Best Instructional Design Tools\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"xsbf-after-content\" class=\"after-content\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"xsbf-after-content\" class=\"after-content\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you take an eLearning course or watch an instructional video, who do you think is behind it all? It&hellip; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/how-to-become-an-instructional-designer\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":22913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"How to Become an Instructional Designer? The Ultimate Guide","_seopress_titles_desc":"Want to know how to become an instructional designer? Follow these 6 steps to start your ID career and excel even further.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[217],"tags":[298],"class_list":["post-17712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-id","tag-ids-career"],"acf":[],"views":16086,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17712","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17712"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101430,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17712\/revisions\/101430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ispringsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}