How to Tap Into Instructional Design Learning Theories

 

How to Tap Into Instructional Design Learning Theories

Instructional design (ID) is a field that can be tricky to navigate. On the one hand, there’s a lot of money and hype involved in becoming an instructional designer. On the other hand, it can be a very challenging field. The high level of responsibility and accountability often associated with being an ID professional may also play a role here. Even those who succeed in this career will almost certainly encounter some frustrations along the way. It is common for new professionals to feel like they are not able to make a significant impact on others or their organization. However, there are several things you can do to help your own learning curve along and increase your chances of success as an ID professional. In this article, we will cover some of these tips.

 

Focus on the Basics

Some things are more important than others. When trying to learn them, it’s not a good idea to rush ahead. Take time to get to know the basics of your profession better. In particular, focus on the fundamentals of the field. These include instructional design theory, principles, approaches, and techniques. It’s also helpful to learn the terms used in your industry and to get a basic understanding of the big picture. For example, some of the terms used in instructional design include Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Learning Objectives (LOIs), and design theory. Learning these basics can help you get a better understanding of the profession and the field as a whole.

 

Learn By Doing

There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “If you want to know what you’re doing, ask yourself what you would do if you were going to be caught.” While you might learn some things from a book or a lecture, really understanding the principles and techniques of your field will come from experience. In order to gain this experience, you will need to do projects and assignments that are directly related to your profession. You can choose these projects based on things that interest you or that are related to your current work. You can also choose projects that are related to your future work. This will help you get a better idea of where you are headed and what the industry and your profession are all about.

 

Find Meetups and Conferences

There are a number of online communities and groups that cater to instructional designers. These include Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, and Slack channels. Use these as a way to connect with and learn from other professionals in your field. Additionally, you can find meetups and conferences that are relevant to your interests. These can be a great way to make contacts and build professional relationships. At conferences, you can often meet people who work in different industries and in different sectors of your profession. You can also learn a lot from the content that is presented at conferences. Many conferences have sessions that are recorded and that you can watch online. You can often find these recordings by doing a simple Google search.

 

Network and Stay Connected

An important part of becoming a better professional is building a network of contacts. Networking can go two ways here. On the one hand, you can use your network to learn new things, meet new people, and find new opportunities. On the other hand, you can use your network to make demands on people and organizations. Networking is not a passive activity. You are engaging in conversation in order to make connections and to make decisions. Use your network to learn as well as to ask questions. Treat your network members with respect. Be willing to listen as well as to speak. Be willing to learn as well as to teach. Networking is important because it can be a way to get an introduction to other people and organizations who can help you.

 

Take Classes and Courses

Instructional design and learning theory are subjects that can be studied and learned in a variety of ways. Some schools and online learning platforms offer courses that are designed to teach the fundamentals of instructional design. These courses can run the gamut from short video lessons to in-depth Excel videos. You can also find a number of online training platforms that offer certifications for people who work as ID professionals. Many of these certifications are sponsored by vendors. You should always do a little research and make sure that the training platform is reputable and that their training courses are well worth the money you spend.

 

Develop a Discussion Culture in Your Company

One of the best things you can do to become a better professional is to start a discussion culture at work. Start a discussion culture at work by bringing it up at team meetings. At the beginning of each meeting, spend a few minutes talking about the things you want to get out of the meeting. When you start a discussion culture, you are making it clear that you want people to be actively involved in their work and in their team. This engages people and encourages them to be proactive.

 

Stay Curious and Be Willing to Change Things Up

One of the best things you can do to improve your professional development is to keep an open mind and to be willing to change things up. This can include not only the topics you choose to study, but also the ways in which you choose to study them. There are a number of ways to study. You can take a course, read a book, view a video, or participate in an online community. You can even try different methods to see what works best for you. In some ways, this is like cooking. You can try out a few different recipes and then decide what you like best. Instructional design is a field that can be challenging to navigate. However, by focusing on the basics, by learning by doing, and by finding meetups and conferences, you can make your journey a little easier.

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