Peer Review

How to become an instructional designer

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Reviewed:: Mar 16, 2019 by Instructional Design and Technology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

How to become an Instructional Designer in a business setting (not academic or research).

Type of Material:

Workshop and Training Material; sign up for additional tips and template examples.

Recommended Uses:

Someone who is considering developing training for a business need.

Since this is for business, according to the blog, the paid training in action mapping on this site is of value only to people in a business situation. Exercises, etc. require business experience.

Although this is not an academic resource-for an academic audience, it's recommended that all IDs, regardless of the setting, review the site. For instance, a hospital may be a non profit organization in a teaching institution, however, the ID work in that area may be more aligned with Cathy Moore's discussion.

Further, it's useful to gain different perspectives. It's a useful site to review for IDs working in business schools.

Technical Requirements:

Easy to link to all the resources; professionally done short screencasts. Helpful articles and tips; the emphasis is specifically on business setting-NOT academic.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The author shares her experience in instructional design for business/corporate settings.

There is a good discussion of action mapping (specifically for non academic areas). It's accessible here: http://blog.cathy-moore.com/action-mapping-a-visual-approach-to-training-design/ .

There are discussions and caveats to the ID work to make it more relevant in a business world.

Review the discussion on creating scenarios: http://blog.cathy-moore.com/category/scenario-design/

It's best to start from the front page: http://blog.cathy-moore.com/site-contents/ to see all the resources and discussions.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Background in instructional design and/or training; teaching background; adult learning principles.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Practical advice for who should take the action mapping training offered.

Very clear site with short and to the point articles. The author includes examples and links to Allen Interactions-also a good site to check out for IDs and instructional technologists who want to expand their knowledge in working with clients.

Concerns:

This site is geared toward non academic ID settings; it is, however, a useful resource to view by IDs working in school/university settings.

Further, for those who major in the field of ID, there's a specific option to study performance improvement and/or coaching. It's useful to look at this site to "speak the language" of those in the C suite.

Plus, it's critical to remember that trainers and instructional designes should not be "order takers."

Is it a performance issue or something else?

Is this a training solution? Is it needed?

http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/06/three-simple-but-powerful-ways-to-get-love-from-your-leaders/

Review the flowchart: http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2013/05/is-training-really-the-answer-ask-the-flowchart/

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

As it provides opinions grounded in experience, the post introduces an interesting perspective.

The author could include a discussion on the bridge between academic and non academic settings. It's helpful to students and practitioners.

Concerns:

Appears somewhat contradictory. The theme "degrees are not needed" is developed, buy then a link is provided to programs.

Perhaps helping readers understand how to decide if a degree is necesary would clarify the author's stance.

Further, there are many other sites, such as E-Learning heroes, and the author, Tom Kuhlmann, shows the pros and cons of specific degrees.

It's really a balance of the two (degree, certificate, continuing education options). Perhaps Cathy Moore could be more specific in explaining what educational opportunities and options are best.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The site is easy to navigate. It's not an interactive blog, however, there are sections where the readers post comments.

Concerns:

Some links do not work correctly.

This site is helpful if used in conjnction with other resources. The author is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about her field. Her experience is valuable.

What's missing is the link between academic and non academic collaboration. What are the challenges IDs face in academic and corporte environments? If a professor comes to an ID for training the students on something-how should an ID respond?

Perhaps adding more scenarios and in depth case studies to the site would help engage the readers more.

Other Issues and Comments:

There is a lot of useful free material; however, there is also a lot of advertisement for paid courses. It's a good reference site but it would not work as a standalone module.

The challenge, again, is that delicate balance between academic (no, this is strictly for business), and non academic settings.

Students from business schools may go into corporate settings-and so would students from humanities courses. It's a possibility. Therefore, it's essential for instructional designers who work in a business setting to have even a basic understanding of the academic ID approaches and vice versa.

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