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.