What Do Instructional Designers Do?
Education is a constantly evolving process. As new innovations and findings occur, educational materials need to be revised and adapted to accommodate these changes. However, it is not as simple as revising a textbook or adding in the new information to a course. The entire learning process often needs to be reshaped, so individuals are able to digest and retain the material in an effective manner. This is where the instructional designer’s role comes into play. Instructional designers are paramount in the process of learning. They are tasked with redesigning courses, developing entire courses or curriculums and creating training materials, such as teaching manuals and student guides. The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) defines the responsibilities of instructional designers as “the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management and evaluation of processes and resources for learning.” Essentially, instructional designers implement theory and research processes to design and implement learning materials that produce greater outcomes for a specific group of people.
Where Do They Work?
Instructional designers are employed across in a variety of industries, ranging from kindergarten and college to business, government and the military. They can work individually or as part of a team. A career as an instructional designer also equates to job security, given that the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, anticipates 15,000 more employment opportunities within the next ten years, coupled with a median salary of $63,740.
What Are Their Responsibilities?
Instructional designers need to possess a versatile skillset in order to create effective learning courses and materials to meet their intended goals. These professionals not only need to have a mastery of learning design but technology as well, given that they:
- Design instructional management systems
- Evaluate new eLearning materials
- Create educational podcasts, videos and content
- Design and revamp both new and established learning models
- Implement feedback from program reviews
- Train others on how to deliver learning material
- Research new innovations in both learning design and education
What Level of Education Do They Need?
Given the high level of responsibilities and requirements that instructional designers are asked to facilitate, many individuals in this role hold a master’s degree. An advanced education in the subject ensures that these individuals are properly equipped to meet the rigorous demands of the field and craft lessons and curriculums that are both thorough and meet designated outcomes.
Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Education in Learning Design and Technology instills within students the skills to design effective instructional materials according to the setting and needs of a group. Whether students plan on teaching a class in a secondary school or training employees to use new software or equipment, the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology can help them design, develop, implement and evaluate learning methods for a variety of contexts. The online program also gives individuals real-world, hands-on experience through a practicum, along with gaining the skills to meet the challenges in the field through coursework.
Learn more about the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology at Purdue University today and help redefine the way in which individuals learn. Call (877) 497-5851 to speak with an admissions advisor or to request more information.