Instructional Design / June 2, 2023

Instructional Design Essentials: 3 things you need to know to get started in instructional design

So many aspiring instructional designers have the same question: what are the instructional design essentials I must know to get started in the field? 

I’ve got the answers here, all in the same place. You’ll find an overview of andragogy, some design principles for adult learning, and a high-level summary of the instructional systems design models ADDIE and SAM.

These topics will give you a great starting point so you have a handle on the instructional design essentials! Once you’re grounded in these topics, you can dive deeper into the areas you need to strengthen. Then, you’ll be as prepared as possible to design effective learning solutions!

ID Essentials #1: All About Andragogy

Here’s an important word to get familiar with if you’re interested in instructional design. Andragogy is a theory of adult learning that says adult learners have unique characteristics. Because of those characteristics, your approach when designing adult training must differ from how you would create learning for children. 

Andragogy vs. Pedagogy

I spoke to a teacher hoping to transition to an instructional design job but needed help making it past the interview phase. First, we talked through a couple of common interview questions. One of them being, “How would you approach training differently for our audience than you do in your current role?”

They responded that they wouldn’t do anything differently because they didn’t believe that andragogy (adult learning) was that different from pedagogy (children learning). Yikes! 

You will see parallels between andragogy and pedagogy, especially if you’re a teacher at a higher grade level. But the differences are critical, and hiring managers are very interested in how you approach them, so let’s explore a few.

The main difference is that pedagogy tends to be traditionally teacher-centered. So, the teacher is considered the expert, and students are more passive recipients of learning.

Andragogy is learner-centered. Adults need to be active participants in their learning. They may set goals and evaluate their progress. The teacher is a facilitator of knowledge or a coach.

Understanding Andragogy Assumptions

Malcolm Knowles’ theory of andragogy is based on the idea that adult learners are self-directed and have a wealth of life experience that can be leveraged in the learning process. This differs from pedagogy which assumes that a younger learner needs more direction and exposure to experiences.

According to Knowles, adults are motivated to learn when they see the relevance of the learning to their lives and when they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned practically. 

Andragogy also emphasizes the importance of active and problem-focused learning. They like to evaluate scenarios and create solutions. Adults also like active discussions and debates.

Adult learners should be encouraged to reflect on their experiences and their learning process. 

How many of these assumptions resonate with you as an adult reading this?

ID Essentials #2: Design Principles for Adult Learning

So, how can you bring your understanding of andragogy into your training design? The following design principles are considered instructional design essentials! Let’s put it all together. 

Designing compelling learning experiences for adults requires understanding their needs and preferences. So, be sure to explain clearly what is being taught and why. Help learners understand the relevance and purpose of the material so they are more motivated to engage with it. 

Another important principle is to incorporate task-oriented and experiential methods to engage learners and allow them to apply their knowledge and skills. This could include problem-solving exercises, group discussions, or role-playing activities.

Self-directed learning is also a practical approach for adult learners. This doesn’t just mean offering self-paced courses. Instead, create opportunities for learners to make choices and have control over their learning experience. For example, offering different activities or assignments to choose from can give learners a sense of ownership and engagement. 

Also, it’s important to consider learners’ backgrounds and experiences when designing a learning experience. This can inform the difficulty level and the types of content and activities included. For example, senior executives may have different learning needs than first-time managers, and it’s essential to tailor the learning experience accordingly.

Finally, content must be relevant and applicable to adult learners. Unlike children, adults have the choice to participate in learning experiences, and they can opt out if they don’t find the content helpful or meaningful. Therefore, ensuring that the learning experience is tailored to the learners’ needs and interests is critical. 

By following these principles, instructional designers can create engaging, effective, and relevant learning experiences for adult learners that promote lifelong learning and growth.

ID Essentials #3: Instructional Design Systems

Another instructional design essential for newbies includes instructional design systems. Instructional design uses a systematic approach to designing and developing learning solutions. Two popular systems include ADDIE and SAM.

I will give you a quick overview of these systems, but the best way to learn them is to work through an instructional design project following one.

ADDIE

ADDIE is a systematic process that instructional designers use to create effective learning experiences. This repeatable process consists of five phases: analysis, design, develop, implement, and evaluate.

In the analysis phase, designers collect information such as requirements, audience, and delivery medium. It’s also where they conduct scoping meetings, the training needs analysis, and interviews with subject matter experts. All of this information is critical to creating a successful learning experience.

In the design phase, designers organize the information collected in the analysis phase and think about how to chunk it to maximize learning. They also identify engagement strategies and reduce learning loss. Additionally, designers finalize learning objectives, create storyboards or course blueprints, script, and identify assessment questions.

The development phase is where designers build the actual learning experience. This could be an e-learning lesson in tools like Articulate Storyline 360, Rise, or Captivate. Alternatively, designers might create instructional videos. Whatever the format, the goal is to create a product that can be implemented in various ways, such as live in a classroom, virtual instructor-led, or through a learning management system.

When it comes to implementation, this is when instructional designers launch the learning experience. Whether it’s a pilot or the final version. We deliver training in many ways, including live, virtual, or through various digital platforms.

Finally, in the evaluate phase, designers step back and assess how well the learning experience performed. This includes looking at learner reactions, assessment questions, completion rates, and other data points. When they evaluate the learning experience, designers identify issues that need to be addressed, such as poorly written questions or weak content, and make improvements.

SAM

The other model I’ll review for you is SAM or Successive Approximation Model. SAM is a more agile development model. The emphasis is on iterative cycles of design, prototyping, and review.

Using SAM, instructional designers create something quickly, assess its effectiveness, and improve based on feedback.

SAM includes a preparation phase, an iterative design phase, and the same development, implementation, and evaluation phases as ADDIE.

Where SAM differs from ADDIE in the iterative design phase, as it involves designing, prototyping, reviewing, and applying feedback multiple times before moving into development.

SAM’s aim is to get feedback earlier and more often, so there is less rework and fewer issues in the final product.

Wrapping It Up

As I mentioned, I can only give you an overview of these instructional design essentials in one blog post. If you’re interested in taking a deeper dive and learning about andragogy, design principles, and ADDIE and putting that knowledge into practice by creating your portfolio pieces, check out the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator System and Certificate Program.