Getting Started in Instructional Design and Digital Learning Design - Part 1

In this series of blog posts, I'll provide a concise guide to essential aspects for those venturing into the realm of digital learning and instructional design.

These insights stem from my personal experience. However, it's crucial to note that what worked for me might not universally apply. Therefore, I recommend gathering information from diverse sources to make informed decisions.

Reflecting on my journey, I'll outline six pivotal stages:

1. Decide which area you would like to focus on more depending on your interest, background and possibilities

2. Identify the key points you need to learn about and the time, financial investment you need to make – technical skills, theoretical background, tasks to be performed, possible challenges

3. Start developing your skills based on #2 while possibly trying to establish your online presence by creating a portfolio or doing some small projects on the side or in your current job

4. Keep learning about the industry via being active online, networking, asking questions and attending training sessions if there’s a need while applying to jobs / doing small projects

5. Find a job / look for opportunities to get some experience in the field while continuing to improve the skills that are required related to landing the position you would like

6. Make sure 1-5. are continuously revisited and developed during the process and if still unsuccessful, try to gain more information about – CV, LinkedIn profile optimisation, portfolio development and understanding job requirements.

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I. Choosing your focus

In the digital learning landscape, numerous roles and titles abound, such as instructional designer, e-learning developer, learning experience designer, and more. It's vital to align your interests, background, and skill set with the role that resonates most with you.

For instance, an e-learning developer primarily crafts courses using authoring tools like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate.

Conversely, a learning designer orchestrates learning experiences, focusing on planning rather than production.

II. Making Informed Decisions

Researching the tasks specific to each role is crucial. Explore online resources like videos and blogs or engage with professionals to gain insights into their day-to-day responsibilities. Be aware that job descriptions might not always accurately represent the roles you are applying to. There can be various reasons for this starting from the dynamic nature of the industry or that the hiring team wasn't completely sure about the exact differences between what kind of tasks would need to be covered.

After checking the ads for a while, you will realise that there are many jobs are asking for skills related to designing and developing digital learning experiences, being able to work closely with subject matter experts and other stakeholders, the ability to apply learning theories. The job posts might also refer to complex tasks, such as designing digital learning programmes and courses, conducting a needs analysis and creating immersive learning experiences with a number of data points for better data analytics.

III. Clarifying Role Expectations

When pursuing job opportunities, seek clarity on the actual tasks involved. Ask about responsibilities and request specific examples to better understand the role's scope. This clarity helps avoid disappointment or misunderstandings later on.

This might not be the easiest to do before actually applying to jobs and attending interviews. This is when networking, and finding the right sources of information come extremely handy. Learning from others through their own experience is always helpful and they can also help you narrow down your search related to specific areas and even organisations.

IV. My Personal Journey

Initially, mastering tools like Storyline seemed like the gateway to creating global learning experiences. However, it took continuous learning and practice to truly gain confidence in handling various tasks. Acknowledging this learning curve was crucial in reaffirming my career choice.

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This marks the end of the first part of our series about getting started in instructional design.

Next, we'll delve into:

2. Identify the key points you need to learn about and the time, financial investment you need to make – technical skills, theoretical background, tasks to be performed, possible challenges

Stay engaged by sharing your progress in the comments! If you're curious about other topics in instructional design and digital learning, explore my other blog posts. Last updated: 28/12/23