A Step-By-Step Guide To The Instructional Design Process

By: Karmen Kendrick • April 27, 2023
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Creating an effective elearning program for your organization can be a daunting task, but with the right instructional process, it doesn’t have to be. 

The goal of instructional design is to create engaging and effective learning experiences that help learners acquire knowledge and skills efficiently and effectively. 

The process for developing online training courses varies between organizations. Some organizations use a linear approach, while others prefer an iterative process.

No matter which approach an organization follows, there are a few steps that remain mandatory in every instructional design process. Understanding the purpose of each step will help you achieve the desired output at every step, irrespective of your approach.

Following the 9-step instructional process below, you can create an effective elearning program that engages learners and achieves learning objectives. 

1. Analyze the audience

Before you start designing your course, it’s important to analyze your audience. Who are they? What do they already know? What do they need to learn? Knowing this information will help you design a course tailored to their needs.

2. Define the learning objectives

Once you understand your audience, it’s time to define the learning objectives. What do you want your learners to be able to do after completing the course? Make sure your objectives are specific, measurable, and achievable.

3. Develop assessments

Assessments are an important part of e-learning. They help learners measure their understanding and help instructors evaluate the effectiveness of the course. Develop assessments that align with your learning objectives.

4. Design the course content

With your learning objectives and assessments in mind, it’s time to design the course content. Create content that is engaging, interactive, and relevant to your learners.

5. Create multimedia materials

Incorporate multimedia materials such as videos, images, and audio to enhance the learning experience. Make sure your materials are high-quality and add value to the course.

6. Develop the course structure

Organize your course content into a logical structure that is easy to follow. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up large blocks of text.

7. Deliver the course

Choose a delivery method that is appropriate for your learners. Will they complete the course online, in person, or a combination of both? Make sure your delivery method aligns with your learning objectives and assessments.

8. Evaluate the course

After the course is delivered, it’s important to evaluate its effectiveness. Use feedback from learners and instructors to identify areas for improvement.

9. Revise and improve the course

Based on the evaluation feedback, revise and improve the course content, assessments, and delivery method to make the course even better.

In addition to the steps outlined above, there are some other important considerations to keep in mind when developing an e-learning program. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Use adult learning principles

Adult learners have unique needs and preferences when it comes to learning. They want to know why they are learning something, they want to be able to apply it in their lives, and they want to be engaged in the learning process. Make sure your e-learning program takes these principles into account.

Make it accessible

Accessibility is an important consideration when designing e-learning. Ensure your program is accessible to learners with disabilities, such as those who are visually or hearing impaired. This may mean providing transcripts or captions for videos or ensuring that the program can be navigated using a keyboard.

Consider mobile devices

More and more people are accessing e-learning programs on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Make sure your program is optimized for mobile devices, with a responsive design that allows learners to access it on any device.

Incorporate social learning

Social learning is an effective way to engage learners and help them apply what they have learned. Incorporate opportunities for learners to collaborate with each other, share ideas, and provide feedback.

Make it fun

Learning doesn’t have to be dry and boring. Incorporate gamification elements into your e-learning program, such as quizzes, badges, and leaderboards, to make it more engaging and enjoyable for learners.

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can create an elearning program that is engaging, effective, and accessible to all learners. So why not give it a try? Check out the LearnDash demo to see how easy it can be to create your own elearning program.

Karmen Kendrick

Karmen Kendrick is an Atlanta, GA based creator, designer, and marketer with over 7 years of experience in helping others build websites and brand themselves in the digital world. When she’s not working, you can find her painting, roller skating, or shopping for home decor.