Instructional Design
Instructional Design is the practice of arranging media and content to help learners and teachers transfer knowledge most effectively. The process consists broadly of determining the current state of learner understanding, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating some media-based "intervention" to assist in the transition. Ideally the process is informed by pedagogically tested theories of learning and may take place in student-only, teacher-led or community-based settings. The outcome of this instruction may be directly observable and scientifically measured or completely hidden and assumed.
It has proven effective to teach primary and secondary school children, college students of all ages, newly hired workers, and the self learner.
Platforms of this type of learning can include CD/DVD/ROM discs, individual kiosks, or web-based access.
It can save time and expense, in that instead of hiring or having to suspend a persons duties in order to teach others, the new learners can do it collectively, individually, or on their own time. It's always accessible and its tailor made to include any type of procedure needed.
Instructional Design, sometimes called E-Learning, is commonly based on the ADDIE design model. This acronym consists of the five phases in the model:
- Analyze - analyze learner characteristics, task to be learned, etc.
- Design - develop learning objectives, choose an instructional approach.
- Develop - create instructional or training materials.
- Implement - deliver or distribute the instructional materials.
- Evaluate - make sure the materials achieved the desired goals.