Definitions of Instructional Design - Educational Technology (2024)

ByDr. Serhat KurtPosted onUpdated on Reading Time: 4 minutes

What is instructional design?

Instructional design can be defined as the creation of instructional materials, modules or lessons.

The instructional design process consists of determining the needs of the learners, defining the end goals and objectives of instruction,designing and planning assessment tasks, and designing teaching and learning activities to ensure the quality of instruction.

  • Instructional design
  • Definitions of instructional technology
  • Definitions of educational technology

There are many instructional design models. For instance,Dick and Carey developed a nine-step model.

Following an instructional design (e.g., ADDIE) model can help instructors to create meaningful and effective instruction.

Instructional Design

Instructional design is a technology for the development of learning experiences and environments which promote the acquisition of specific knowledge and skill by students.[1]

And instructional design theory is theory that offers explicit guidance on how to better help people learn and develop. The kinds of learning and development may include cognitive, emotional, social, physical and spiritual…There are two major aspects of any instructional situation: the conditions under which the instruction will take place and the desired outcomes of the instructions. [12]

See Also
Domain error

Instructional design is a technology which incorporates known and verified learning strategies into instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skill more efficient, effective, and appealing. [1]

Instructional Design is the art and science of creating an instructional environment and materials that will bring the learner from the state of not being able to accomplish certain tasks to the state of being able to accomplish those tasks. Instructional Design is based on theoretical and practical research in the areas of cognition, educational psychology, and problem solving.[2]

Sara McNeil defines the Instructional design as a:

Process: Instructional Design is the systematic development of instructional specifications using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality of instruction. It is the entire process of analysis of learning needs and goals and the development of a delivery system to meet those needs. It includes development of instructional materials and activities; and tryout and evaluation of all instruction and learner activities.

Discipline: Instructional Design is that branch of knowledge concerned with research and theory about instructional strategies and the process for developing and implementing those strategies.

Science: Instructional Design is the science of creating detailed specifications for the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of situations that facilitate the learning of both large and small units of subject matter at all levels of complexity.

Reality: Instructional Design can start at any point in the design process. Often a glimmer of an idea is developed to give the core of an instruction situation. By the time the entire process is done the designer looks back and she or he checks to see that all parts of the “science” have been taken into account. Then the entire process is written up as if it occurred in a systematic fashion.[3]

The systematic process of translating a plan of instruction into a set of activities, materials, information and/or assessment procedures. [4]

A systematic process that is employed to develop education and training programs in a consistent and reliable fashion. [5]

The term instructional design refers to the systematic and reflective process of translating the principles of learning and instruction into plans for instructional materials, activities, information resources, and evaluation. [6]

The instructional design process incorporates the theoretical considerations presented above into a practice-based framework that bridges the gaps between learner needs, learning objectives, delivery of instruction, and evaluation. [7]

(A) systematic process, based on educational theories,on the development of instructional strategies, and specifications to promote quality learningexperience. [8]

The development of instruction for specified goals and objectives in which (1) the organized sequential selection of components is made on the basis of information, data, and theoretical principles at every stage and (2) the product is tested in real-world situations both during development and at the end of the development process. [9]

Instructional Design (ID) is a system of procedures for developing education and training curricula in a consistent and reliable fashion. [10]

Instructional design is a complex process that is creative, active and iterative. [11]

References

  1. Merrill, M. D.; Drake, L.; Lacy, M. J.; Pratt, J. (1996). “Reclaiming instructional design” (PDF). Educational Technology. 36 (5): 5–7.
  2. Siemens, G. (2002). Instructional design in elearning. Retrieved January, 21, 2013.http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/InstructionalDesign.htm
  3. Sara McNeil,http://www.coe.uh.edu/courses/cuin6373/whatisid.html
  4. Smith, P. L., & Ragan, T. J. (2005). Instructional Design (Third ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  5. Reiser, R.A., Dempsey, J.V. (2007). Trends and Issues in Instructional Design (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
  6. Smith, P. L., & Ragan, T. J. (1999). Instructional design (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  7. Miner, K. R., Childers, W. K., Alperin, M., Cioffi, J., & Hunt, N. (2005). The MACH Model: from competencies to instruction and performance of the public health workforce. Public Health Reports, 120(1_suppl), 9-15.
  8. Mustaro, P. N., Silveira, I. F., Omar, N., & Stump, S. M. D. (2007). Structure of storyboard for interactive learning objects development. Learning objects and instructional design, 253-280.
  9. M.E.Gredler,LearningandInstruction:TheoryintoPractice,Fourth Ed. Merrill Prentice-Hall: Columbus, OH, 2001.
  10. Branch, R. M., & Merrill, M. D. (2012). Characteristics of instructional design models. Trends and issues in instructional design and technology, 8-16.
  11. Gustafson, K. L., & Branch, R. M. (2002). What is instructional design. Trends and issues in instructional design and technology, 16-25.
Definitions of Instructional Design - Educational Technology (2024)

FAQs

What is instructional design in educational technology? ›

Simply put, instructional design is the creation of instructional materials. Though, this field goes beyond simply creating teaching materials, it carefully considers how students learn and what materials and methods will most effectively help individuals achieve their academic goals.

How will you define instructional technology and educational technology? ›

Distinguishing these two is even simpler through the simple definition of both fields: Instructional technology is the tool and educational technology is the manual for using that tool.

What are the 5 basic concepts of instructional technology? ›

Design, development, utilization, management and evaluation are the five basic domains of the field. These terms refer to both areas of the knowledge base and to functions performed by professionals in the field. Each domain of Instructional Technology includes a body of knowledge based on both research and experience.

What are the five 5 basic instructional design components? ›

The name is derived from the five stages of the model: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Together, these stages can create effective training and learning experiences.

What is the best definition of instructional design? ›

"Instructional Design is defined as “a systematic process that is employed to develop education and training programs in a consistent and reliable fashion” (Reiser, Dempsey, 2007).

What are the 3 major components of instructional design? ›

When it comes to designing a learning experience, instructional designers must take three main components into account to ensure the learning is effective: learning objectives, learning activities, and assessments. This is known as the “Magic Triangle” of learning.

What is the difference between educational technology and instructional design? ›

They both typically work on developing and implementing learning products, and their day-to-day work often overlaps, but their specialties differ: Instructional designers are focused on optimizing the learning experience. Edtechs are focused on how to use technology to implement learning products.

What is the latest definition of instructional technology? ›

Instructional technology uses any combination of technologies, media, and techniques to create, develop, support, evaluate or deliver instructional programs or instruction.

What are the three forms of educational technology? ›

There are three types of educational technology: Synchronous and Asynchronous, Linear learning, and Collaborative Learning. Let's discuss these educational technology types in detail to get a clear understanding.

What are the 4 C's of instructional technology? ›

The 4Cs (communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity) are some of the most important skills students need to learn.

What are the 4 components of instructional design? ›

Its basic assumption is that blueprints for complex learning can always be described by four basic components, namely, (a) learning tasks, (b) supportive information, (c) procedural information, and (d) part-task practice.

What are the basic elements of instructional technology? ›

Instructional Technology/Instructional Design
  • Analyze learner and organization needs.
  • Determine instructional goals and objective.
  • Construct a method for evaluating learner achievement.
  • Design and select instructional strategies.
  • Implement the training.
  • Evaluate the training.

What are the seven key elements in instructional design? ›

These elements are: differentiation, adaptivity, student engagement, direct instruction, practice, formative assessment with immediate feedback and student explanation of learning.

What are the six steps in instructional design? ›

Understanding the 6 Steps of Instructional Design
  • Project Initiation. When developing a new course, it's important to start with an understanding of the market need. ...
  • Product Design. ...
  • Content Development. ...
  • Production. ...
  • Review, Publish, and Evaluate. ...
  • Evaluating Effectiveness.

What are the goals of instructional design? ›

The aim of instructional design is to make learning effective, engaging, efficient and cost-effective.

What is the relationship between educational technology and instructional design? ›

The roles of instructional designer and educational technologist – or “edtech” – are related. They both typically work on developing and implementing learning products, and their day-to-day work often overlaps, but their specialties differ: Instructional designers are focused on optimizing the learning experience.

Why is instructional design technology important? ›

The main goal of instructional design is that it ensures that learners receive instructions in a form that is effective and meaningful to them, helping them to better understand the topics and concepts being taught.

What is the difference between teaching and instructional design? ›

As a teacher, you get to know your students and may customize lessons to meet individual student needs. By contrast, instructional designers are creating learning opportunities that support students in a particular audience or demographic. They may not know learners personally.

What is the difference between learning design and instructional design? ›

While ID is more focused on content and delivery of instruction, LXD is more focused on the overall learning experience, including the emotional and motivational aspects of learning. Both approaches have value in creating effective and engaging learning experiences.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5840

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.