Instructional Design

1. What is instructional design?

Instructional design is a theory-based, systematic process used to design instruction. It involves four major steps:

• Analyzing the goals of instruction and the needs of the learners
• Designing and developing instructional materials and assessments to address the goals and needs
• Implementing the instruction
• Evaluating the instruction for effectiveness

Other Definitions:

http://www.umich.edu/~ed626/define.html
http://www.coe.uh.edu/courses/cuin6373/whatisid.html
http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc_data/idmodels.html
http://www.performancexpress.org/0401/

2. What is an instructional designer?

An instructional designer is a professional who has been trained to apply the principles of instructional design to educational and training situations to facilitate a specific learning outcome.

3. What does an instructional designer do?

At the LEC, an instructional designer consults with faculty, students, staff, and other University personnel to create engaging, interactive, and instructionally sound programs. The designer also develops and delivers instructional design workshops through the Expanding Excellence Workshop Series.

4. How can an instructional designer help me?

An instructional designer can help you:

• Apply the appropriate pedagogy for a specified learning environment.
• Develop effective ways of motivating students.
• Become familiar with some of the technology tools currently available at USM.
• Select the technology that is most suitable to address specific learning objectives for delivery in the classroom or in an online environment.
• Create classroom and online supplements such as syllabi, handouts, class notes, calendars, Power Point Presentations, etc.
• Determine the best uses of online communication tools (discussion boards, chat, listservs, email)
  

The instructional designers at the LEC are ready to assist you in the teaching process from beginning to end. Instructional design services are available in group settings or on a one-on-one basis, at no cost. Please feel free to contact an instructional designer.

Instructional Designers

Sheri Rawls, sheri.rawls@usm.edu, 266-6199
Shanna Luke, shanna.luke@usm.edu, 266-6899