What does an Instructional Designer do?
An instructional designer’s job is to develop curriculum. This is the easiest way to describe what we do. Now the longer version is that we:
– Determine if there is a problem or respond to an RFP
– If there is a training problem, then we solve it. If another problem, that group solves it (ie IT, Communication, etc), we just help find the problem and only solve it ourselves when training is the solution.
– Do an instructional analysis and needs assessment – We determine what the scope of the training is and recommend a solution (i.e., we should develop online instruction and it will cost this much and take this long)
– Design the instruction – we develop objectives, work with SMEs, and figure out what models and theories we should use to create this instruction in the best possible manner
– Develop the instruction – instructional designers can do this but more often its done by computer programmers. We however will develop the storyboards and work with the developers to do this. Sometime we do develop though using simpler and more limited software such as Articulate, Captivate, and PPT.
– Implement the instruction – We help with the rollout and work with IT to deliever instruction. We might train trainers how to deliver the instruction or we might even deliver the instruction ourselves
– Evaluation – We conduct an evaluation to determine if the training was successful, met company goals, if ROI was met, etc.