What is instructional design consulting?
Instructional design consulting involves the process of working with clients to analyse their learning needs and goals and then designing effective and efficient instructional solutions to address those needs. By collaborating with clients, consultants can understand the target audience, define learning objectives and identify relevant content. Applying pedagogical principles and using various instructional methods, technologies and media creates engaging and impactful learning experiences.
Key components of instructional design
Our instructional design consultants begin with a needs analysis, establishing clear learning objectives, and designs a tailored instructional strategy. They oversee the development of engaging materials and activities, implement the program, and provide support to instructors. Continuous evaluations and refinement of the instructional design based on feedback and assessments ensure a dynamic and effective learning environment within the organisation.
Why does instructional design matter?
Instructional design is crucial in building a learning experience as it provides a systematic and purposeful approach to crafting educational content. By analysing learners needs, setting clear objectives, and employing effective instructional strategies, it ensures that the learning experience is structured, engaging, and aligned with desired outcomes. Instructional design facilitates the selection of appropriate methods, media, and assessments, optimising the transfer of knowledge and skills. Furthermore, it enables continuous improvement through feedback and evaluation, ensuring that the learning experience remains relevant, impactful, and conducive to the overall success of learners.
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Not employing an instructional design method leads to disorganised and ineffective educational content. Without a systematic approach to analyse learner needs and objective setting, the learning experience lacks coherence and will not allow learners to achieve the desired outcomes due to the suboptimal learning environment.
6Ds of Breakthrough Learning
1
Define
business outcomes
In instructional design, it's essential to start by clearly defining the desired business or learning outcomes. This involves understanding the organisational goals and aligning the learning objectives with those outcomes.
2
Design the complete experience
Instructional design consultants focus on creating a comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond content delivery. This includes considering various instructional strategies, incorporating interactive elements, and ensuring that the design aligns with the overall goals.
3
Deliver for
application
Effective instructional design emphasises practical application. Learning experiences should be designed to enable learners to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world situations, promoting active learning and skill transfer.
5
Deploy
support tools
Instructional designers should provider learners with tools and resources that support continuous learning beyond the initial instruction. This might include job aids, reference materials, or online resources to reinforce and extend learning.
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6
Document
the results
Evaluation and documentation are integral to instructional design. After implementation, it's crucial to assess the effectiveness of the learning experience, gather feedback, and make data-driven improvements for future iterations.
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4
Drive
learning transfer
The goal of instructional design is not just to impart knowledge but to ensure that learners can transfer that knowledge to their work. Strategies such as realistic scenarios, case studies, and practical exercises support learning transfer.