Comments on: How Would You Explain Instructional Design to a Layman?

By: Anuja Khaire

Anuja Khaire — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:44:41 +0000

‘Instructional Design is about designing effective learning experiences irrespective of the tools and methodologies used.’

I think this definition is inclusive and gives a gist of instructional designing in lesser words. Congrats for the nice post.

I would like to share what I tell people when they ask me ‘What is Instructional Designing?’

I straightaway tell them ‘We develop courseware’.

When I start explaining other things after this introductory sentence, they are more interested in listening to it. So I think we should make things simple for a layperson.

Anuja Khaire

By: Annamarie

Annamarie — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:04:05 +0000

I say, “I write training.” If they need a bit more, I say I write the instructor manual and other materials. Nothing more unless they are interested.

By: Abhijit Patronobis

Abhijit Patronobis — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 06:01:13 +0000

Your topic is very interesting. Here is my original definition:

Instructions designs is a systematic process of transferring knowledge from the domain to the learner that passes through a sieve of instructions ensuring that the learner only gets to know what he needs to know, but what he gets to know is delivered in the best possible manner whether or not using multimedia and interactive elements.

By: Rupa Rajagopalan

Rupa Rajagopalan — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 05:45:02 +0000

Thank you for taking your time to pen your ideas here. I am checking the link you have given

By: Priya Gopalakrishnan

Priya Gopalakrishnan — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:34:13 +0000

Very well said Rupa, your simple example will certainly help any layman understand. It is indeed very challenging to lay your thoughts across the table in this subject. I am Master’s student of Instructional Design, and every time I explain to any of my friends about it, their face is expressionless.

These are a few definitions I generally choose to convey. –

• It’s a science of designing instructional material by integrating technology using a systematic process.

• I design instructional material that involves integration of various technologies using a systematic process so that learning is more efficient and less difficult but also making sure that training objectives are met.

Recently, I am following a discussion in Linkedin, that answers Enid Crystal query on ‘What is your “elevator speech” explaining Instructional Design to a business person?’.
http://tiny.cc/Linkedin_elevatorspeech
Many instructional designers across the globe have contributed their resources on this topic. This discussion has really shown me that Instruction Designers extensively come across this challenge.

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Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:41:15 +0000

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