The Accidental Instructional Designer, 2nd Edition: Learning Design for the Digital Age
Cammy Bean wrote a fantastic and engaging practical guide for those in the instructional design field, often by chance rather than design. This updated edition dives deeper into the evolving landscape of instructional design (ID), providing essential insights, strategies, and practical advice for newcomers and seasoned professionals.
Key Themes and Concepts
Accidental vs. Purposeful Instructional Designer
The book starts by differentiating between an accidental and purposeful instructional designer. While many may enter the field by happenstance, Bean emphasizes the importance of becoming purposeful, curious and determined to help people learn better. This involves engaging deeply with the field, seeking certifications, attending webinars, and consuming related content regularly.
The Multifaceted Role of Instructional Designers
Instructional designers often have diverse roles that vary significantly from one professional to another. Some design online courses, others create slide decks, and some develop lesson plans for live or online classes. Bean highlights the importance of understanding one's strengths, whether in knowledge and learning theories or technical skills, and seeking roles that align with these strengths.
The Four Elements of Instructional Design
Bean introduces four critical components of the instructional design pie: learning, creativity, technology, and business. Each project requires a balance of these elements, and instructional designers must recognize their strengths and weaknesses in each area. Collaboration and seeking help in weaker areas are crucial to creating effective learning experiences.
Emotional and Tactile Learning
Designing learning experiences involves considering the emotional and tactile factors. Bean stresses the importance of how learners feel when engaging with material and how they can use those emotions to achieve learning outcomes. The ultimate goal of instructional design is to improve learning and enhance performance.
Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
When collaborating with SMEs, it’s essential to communicate the goals of the learning experience. The aim is to make the training memorable and effective rather than a tedious task for employees. Understanding and conveying this can lead to better-designed learning experiences.
The Mixologist Metaphor
Bean uses the metaphor of a mixologist to describe the instructional designer's role. Each project requires a unique mix of tools and approaches, akin to mixing a drink with different ingredients. This creativity and adaptability distinguish a committed instructional designer from one who replicates the same solutions for different problems.
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Writing and Content Creation
Effective instructional design involves writing in an active voice and making the content engaging. Bean advises minimizing using words like “should” and “must” to avoid sounding patronizing. Instead, think like an advertiser to make learning appealing and tell learners why the content matters. Incorporating stories into training helps make the lessons more relatable and memorable.
Visual and Aesthetic Design
The book emphasizes the importance of course visual and aesthetic design. First impressions matter, and the look and feel of a course can significantly impact learners' engagement. Tools like Canva are recommended for creating visually appealing content that enhances the learning experience.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Ultimately, instructional design's effectiveness is measured by its return on investment (ROI). The goal is to ensure that the learning interventions lead to tangible improvements in performance and productivity.
Practical Advice and Community Engagement
Bean advises aspiring instructional designers to immerse themselves in the community by joining professional networks, attending conferences, and engaging on social media. Continuous learning through reading relevant books and resources is crucial. Instructional design is presented not just as a job but as a lifestyle requiring dedication and passion.
Conclusion
The Accidental Instructional Designer, 2nd Edition, is a comprehensive guide that blends practical advice with theoretical insights. Cammy Bean’s approachable style and use of real-world examples make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to excel in instructional design. Whether new to the field or seeking to deepen your expertise, this book provides a roadmap for becoming a purposeful and effective instructional designer.
External Sources:
These resources will help you delve further into the themes and insights presented in the book.
Thanks for spreading the word about the book! I've been in the elearning/digital learning space since 1996 and have a few tales to tell. Hope this is a useful resource to new practitioners!
Educator at SNS Academy - India A
5 个月Great advice!