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Instructional Design Definitions

What is Instructional Design?

What is instructional design? In short, instructional design is the process by which learning products and experiences are designed, developed, and delivered. These learning products include online courses, instructional manuals, video tutorials, learning simulations, etc. Instructional designers are the 'architects' of the learning experience and the 'directors' of the Instructional Systems Design ISD process. The terms instructional design, instructional technology, learning experience (LX) design, curriculum design, and instructional systems design (ISD), are sometimes used interchangeably. Below are a few instructional design definitions from various sources:
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Instructional Design Definitions

"Instructional Design is defined as “a systematic process that is employed to develop education and training programs in a consistent and reliable fashion” (Reiser, Dempsey, 2007). In addition, it may be thought of as a framework for developing modules or lessons that (Merrill, Drake, Lacy, Pratt, 1996)" Source: www.nwlink.com

 

"Instructional design, also known as instructional systems design, is the analysis of learning needs and systematic development of instruction. Instructional designers often use Instructional technology as a method for developing instruction. Instructional design models typically specify a method, that if followed will facilitate the transfer of knowledge, skills and attitude to the recipient or acquirer of the instruction."
Source: www.wikipedia.org

 

"Instructional Design is the systematic development of instructional specifications using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality of instruction. It is the entire process of analysis of learning needs and goals and the development of a delivery system to meet those needs. It includes development of instructional materials and activities; and tryout and evaluation of all instruction and learner activities." Source: www.umich.edu

 

 

 

 

 

"Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources." Source: www.cjlt.ca

 

"The term educational technology is often associated with, and encompasses, instructional theory and learning theory. While instructional technology is 'the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning,' according to the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Definitions and Terminology Committee, educational technology includes other systems used in the process of developing human capability. Educational technology includes, but is not limited to, software, hardware, as well as Internet applications, such as wiki's and blogs, and activities." 
Source: www.wikipedia.org

 

"Educational technology, sometimes termed EdTech, is the study and ethical practice of facilitating e-learning, which is the learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources. The term educational technology is often associated with, and encompasses, instructional theory and learning theory. While instructional technology is 'the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning,' according to the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Definitions and Terminology Committee, educational technology includes other systems used in the process of developing human capability." 
Source: www.edtech.wikia.com

What is an Instructional Designer?

What exactly is an instructional designer and what do they do? Instructional designers create and deliver learning products for business, K-12, higher education, and government organizations. Instructional designers are the 'architects' of the learning experience and the 'directors' of the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) process. Instructional designers are in high demand worldwide (particularly in North America, Asia and Europe), as organizations are turning towards instructional designers to solve business performance problems through the delivery of effective learning experiences. Below are a few instructional designer definitions from various sources:

Instructional Design

Educational Technology

Learning Experience (LX)

"An emerging discipline, learning experience design (LX) draws from other disciplines including experiential learning, cognitive psychology, interaction design, user experience design, instructional design and design thinking."Source: www.learningexperiencedesign.com

 

"Learning Experience Design™ (LX or LX Design)—a synthesis of instructional design, educational pedagogy, neuroscience, social sciences, design thinking, and UI/UX—is critical for any organization looking to compete in the modern educational marketplace."  
Source: www.sixredmarbles.com

Instructional Designer Definitions

IDC's Instructional Design Foundations Course

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Instructional Designer

"An instructional designer is somebody who applies a systematic methodology based on instructional theory to create content for learning events." Source: www.eng.wayne.edu

 

"An instructional designer is an individual who develops the methodology and delivery systems for presenting course content."   
Source: www.syberworks.com

 

 

 

 

Instructional Technologist

 

"What does an instructional technologist do… 
 

  • Evaluate new technologies to discover new and better ways to enhance instruction 

  • Assist faculty in discovering methods of improving their instruction with and without technology 

  • Conduct training sessions teaching faculty and staff how to use new technologies 

  • Conduct research studies evaluating the use of technologies and their impact on student learning outcomes 

  • Create training materials to accommodate the self-learners and provide resources for our “customers” 

  • Manage the implementation of new technologies on-campus for the use of instruction."
    Source: www.instructtech.wordpress.com

Educational Technologist

"An educational technologists someone who is trained in the field of educational technology. Educational technologists try to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate process and tools to enhance learning." 
Source: ww.wikipedia.org

 

"What does an educational technologist do? As online technologies have exploded into mainstream education and corporate training, the need for professionals who are highly qualified in designing, developing, implementing, and assessing instruction has increased. However, the roles and responsibilities of educational technologists have become as varied as the employers who hire them and the tools they use. In order to shed some light on the matter, 161 EdTech professionals were surveyed in order to define the role(s) they play in K-12, higher education, corporate, and government work environments." 
Source: www.infogr.am

 

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