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What does an Instructional Designer do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An instructional designer is responsible for creating educational material in a variety of formats. This may include designing and developing coursework, creating assessment tools, and developing training programs. They may also be responsible for conducting research and evaluating data to determine the effectiveness of instructional materials.

Instructional Designer job duties include:

  • Researching and analyzing learning needs
  • Designing instructional materials
  • Developing learning objectives
  • Selecting instructional methods and media
  • Planning course content and sequence
  • Developing assessment tools and strategies
  • Managing projects
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of instruction
  • Collaborating with subject matter experts

Instructional Designer Job Requirements

An instructional designer typically has a background in education and experience in designing educational materials and leading workshops or training sessions. Some instructional designers also have certification from the Association for Talent Development or other professional organizations.

Instructional Designer Skills

  • Patience
  • Creativity
  • Imagination
  • Communication
  • Writing
  • Listening
  • Presentation
  • Facilitation
  • Graphic Design
  • Technology
  • Learning Theories

Related: Top Instructional Designer Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Instructional Designer

Instructional designers are responsible for creating educational experiences that help people learn. They use their knowledge of cognitive science, learning theory, and technology to design instructional materials, activities, and environments that facilitate learning.

If you’re interested in becoming an instructional designer, there are a few things you should do to prepare yourself. First, get a solid foundation in education and learning theory. You don’t need to get a degree in education, but taking some courses in instructional design or educational psychology will give you a good start. Second, become familiar with different types of educational technology and how they can be used to support learning. There are many different tools available, and it’s important to know which ones are best suited for different tasks. Finally, develop your own skills as a learner. Instructional designers need to be able to understand the learning process so that they can create materials that facilitate it.

If you have the necessary skills and knowledge, becoming an instructional designer can be a rewarding career. You’ll have the opportunity to help people learn new things and make a difference in their lives.

Related: Instructional Designer Resume Example

Related: Instructional Designer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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