Why this matters:
Instructional designers are incredibly interdisciplinary. Their work combines aspects of software development, graphic design, and educational theory and practice. When an instructional designer begins a new project, they must assess their toolkit and decide which software and models are best suited for the task at hand.
What to listen for:
- A range of software, from learning management systems to graphic design programs
- A grasp of basic programming skills through coding languages like HTML
- Interdisciplinary approach to instructional design
Why this matters:
Strong instructional design is rooted in science-based learning models and frameworks. By following these models, instructional designers can engineer their courses around specific outcomes and help end users learn more effectively. Strong candidates will follow at least one of these models and incorporate its underlying theories into their work.
What to listen for:
- Specific instructional design models like ADDIE or ARCS
- Mention of key performance indicators and strategies to track them
- Attentiveness to user experience and end users’ needs
Why this matters:
Instructional designers create products for specific audiences that vary from project to project. Some audiences may have learning disabilities and require different design features to adequately absorb the content, while others may require alterations to content to account for differing expectations — for instance, audiences in New York and Jakarta will experience the same content very differently.
What to listen for:
- Accommodations for students with different abilities
- Sensitivity to a range of cultural backgrounds and experiences
- Understanding of how a given audience will receive content
Why this matters:
Not every idea is an immediate success. Often the first attempt at designing educational materials misses the mark — and in this case, there’s nothing to do except rework the project or go back to the drawing board. Candidates who are resilient enough to accept criticism and take it into account will distinguish themselves.
What to listen for:
- Receptiveness to criticism and willingness to rework the product if necessary
- Understanding of reasons behind client dissatisfaction
- Specific steps taken to prevent the issue from recurring
Why this matters:
Instructional designers create material for a variety of subjects and industries, from basic mathematics to workplace safety. Although they aren’t responsible for the content, they should still have at least a basic understanding of the material so they can make sure the medium matches the message.
What to listen for:
- Strong research abilities to quickly grasp an unfamiliar topic
- Curiosity and hunger for knowledge
- Ability to apply an instructional design skill set to new industries and fields
Why this matters:
As with any field that combines technical skills and creativity, instructional designers often have to think laterally to provide learners with the best experience possible. In these situations, they need to draw upon their varied skill set, all the tools at their disposal, and their own resourcefulness.
What to listen for:
- Ability to recognize when a design aspect requires creative thinking
- Use of multiple tools together to develop solutions
- Capacity to explain creative decisions when needed
Why this matters:
When instructional designers receive a new project, they can’t leap into their work right away. First, they need to take a step back and develop a broad view of what the project will entail. A big part of that is understanding the unique needs of the client and the learners, and how those needs will be reflected in the product’s final design.
What to listen for:
- Independent research and client communication to identify learner needs
- Application of lessons learned from previous clients to new ones
- Ability to identify desired outcomes and design programs around them
Why this matters:
The goal of design, particularly design that aims to foster direct engagement, is to connect to the audience and inspire interest. This requires more than technical deftness. It necessitates a deep understanding of the audience and their needs. This more profound connection fosters genuine learning.
What to listen for:
- Empathy for diverse audiences
- Versatility in design techniques
- Ability to tailor work to a particular audience
Why this matters:
As a highly interdisciplinary profession, instructional design offers many opportunities for professionals from a variety of backgrounds to explore their interests and passions. The ideal candidate, however, will not only have the required skills for the job but also gain a sense of satisfaction from it. When an instructional designer is invested in the profession, they often produce better work and learner outcomes.
What to listen for:
- Powerful intrinsic motivation
- Interest in and devotion to education
- Desire to help others learn and grow
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