Instructional Designers

There are a wide range of opinions on what the job duties of instructional designers actually entail. In fact, instructional designers wear many hats depending on their employer, their skill set, educational and professional background, and other factors. In most instances, instructional designers analyze the backgrounds of learners and their instructional needs, as well as the educational goals of the organization, to determine the best course design and presentation approach. They also work to ensure that course materials meet accessibility and quality assurance standards. Instructional designers then use instructional design theories, practices, and methods to design new or redevelop old courses and instructional materials (e.g., customer or employee training sessions, teaching manuals, student guides, and/or the entire curricula) for digital delivery (although some may also develop face-to-face classes). They create videos, podcasts, audio, and other multimedia, and use their digital design skills (or work with digital designers) to develop engaging visual interfaces for online courses. During the mid-2020s, opportunities and challenges associated with chatbots, generative artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies made instructional design an interesting field.

Instructional designers work with teachers, subject-matter experts, administrators, and others to improve student or employee learning, and they provide suggestions on how technology can be used to promote better learning outcomes. They teach educators and corporate trainers how to use technology, especially as it relates to pedagogy. Instructional designers also provide support to teachers when they encounter technical problems (issues with closed-captions, graphics, etc.) or instructional challenges

Throughout the process, instructional designers evaluate the effectiveness of material by developing user surveys, assessments, and validations—and implement feedback from user reviews.