The Essential Principles of Instructional Design

If you're new to the learning space, the concept of instructional design (ID) can seem somewhat daunting. We get it! The art and science of optimizing human learning capabilities is highly specialized and complex. That said, you can quickly gain a basic understanding of the ID process by following these 12 essential principles:

1. ? Consider the Audience

First and foremost, make the learning relevant to your learners. Consider their previous experience, knowledge gaps, and learning styles. Make sure the learning addresses their needs and preferences. Accommodating learner diversity promotes inclusivity, making the learning experience more accessible and engaging for participants.?

2. ? Set Clear Learning Objectives

The next step is to set course objectives. Your goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable. At this point, it’s well worth your time to become familiar with Bloom’s taxonomy - a powerful framework for developing learning outcomes based on the six steps in the learning process: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create.????

3. Determine Measurement Criteria

Define how you wish to evaluate success using the criteria of the Kirkpatrick Model - a globally recognized model for training programs. The model assesses both formal and informal training methods and rates them against four levels of criteria:?

• Reaction – how learners respond to the training
• Learning – what was or wasn’t learned
• Behaviour – the impact of workplace culture on behavioural change
• Results - the impact of the completed training and the ROI?

4. ? Consider Accessibility from the Start

One of an Instructional Designer’s most important responsibilities is to ensure that the learning is accessible and inclusive to everyone, including learners with disabilities. In Ontario, this means being 100% compliant with the accessibility standards in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

5. Build the Big Picture

Focusing first on the Big Picture ensures that your training program aligns with your organization’s objectives. But the benefits don’t stop there! Organizing the learning modules, chapters, and various other components creates a seamless course and helps learners understand the impact on their personal career development and the company’s vision. A holistic view also encourages collaboration between departments and helps encourage a culture of continuous learning across the organization.?????

6.? Organize Learning in Digestible "Chunks"

Learning even the most complex subjects becomes much easier when the information is broken down into smaller, more manageable sections. Chunking helps learners process, understand, and remember what they have learned.

7. ? Switch Up the Media

In today's digital environment, information can be delivered in text, audio, images, video, animations, and interactive elements. Changing it up will help maintain interest and engagement. Again, it is essential to consider your audience's learning styles and preferences when choosing course media.???

8. ? Keep the Learning Active

At Redwood, we are huge fans of "learning by doing." Take full advantage of every opportunity to have learners participate in the process through interactive elements. Quizzes, scenarios, simulations, and problem-solving challenges are essential to our learning designs.????

9. ? Provide Frequent Feedback and Assessments

Quality feedback helps learners quickly appreciate knowledge gaps and their ramifications in a learner's day-to-day activities. Assessments reinforce the learner's understanding of the course material and the ability to apply newfound knowledge in job-related scenarios.???

10. ? Keep the Design Clean and User Friendly

By clean and user-friendly, we mean that the interface should be engaging without being cluttered or confusing. Navigation should be logical and not detract from the overall learning experience. Learners should focus on the course material instead of struggling with the interface.

11. ? Keep it Consistent

All design elements, including colour palettes, fonts, and layouts should flow in a unified and cohesive manner. Design consistency minimizes distractions and creates a professional and seamless learning experience.???

12. ? Post-Course Evaluation and Improvement

With a successful course delivered and getting great results, the Instructional Designer’s job is done, correct? Well, not quite. A key ID responsibility is to review and analyze course results. Be sure to consult with learners and stakeholders to identify areas of weakness and opportunities to make iterative improvements.

Incorporating these 12 essential principles into your courses will ensure you deliver a quality

learning experience that engages participants and achieves your learning objectives. Even better, your team will thank you for a course that delivers career development gain without typical training pain.