Top 12 Instructional Designer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive job market, standing out as an instructional designer requires a blend of creativity, technical prowess, and educational insight. Highlighting the top skills on your resume not only showcases your proficiency but also demonstrates your commitment to enhancing learning experiences through innovative and effective design strategies.

Instructional Designer Skills

1. Storyline (Articulate Storyline)
2. Captivate (Adobe Captivate)
3. Lectora
4. Camtasia
5. Moodle
6. SCORM
7. XAPI
8. InDesign (Adobe InDesign)
9. Illustrator (Adobe Illustrator)
10. Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop)
11. HTML5
12. CSS3

1. Storyline (Articulate Storyline)

Storyline (Articulate Storyline) is a powerful software tool used by Instructional Designers for creating interactive e-learning courses and content. It offers a user-friendly interface for designing custom animations, simulations, quizzes, and assessments, enabling the creation of engaging and interactive learning experiences.

Why It's Important

Storyline (Articulate Storyline) is crucial for Instructional Designers as it provides a powerful, user-friendly platform for creating custom, interactive e-learning courses that can adapt to various learning styles, thereby enhancing learner engagement and comprehension.

How to Improve Storyline (Articulate Storyline) Skills

Improving your skills in Articulate Storyline as an Instructional Designer involves focusing on design principles, interactivity, and leveraging the community for feedback and new ideas. Here are concise strategies:

1. Explore Advanced Features: Dive deeper into Storyline's advanced features such as variables, triggers, and state changes to create more engaging and interactive content. Storyline's User Guide is a comprehensive resource.

2. Utilize Templates and Assets: Leverage Articulate's Content Library for professional templates and assets to save time and maintain consistency.

3. Incorporate Engaging Interactions: Focus on creating meaningful interactions. Explore E-Learning Heroes examples for inspiration.

4. Apply Visual Design Principles: Enhance your course's visual appeal. Learn about visual hierarchy, contrast, alignment, and repetition. The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams offers great insights.

5. Solicit Feedback: Use platforms like E-Learning Heroes Community to get feedback from other Instructional Designers.

6. Keep Learning: Stay updated with the latest eLearning trends and Storyline updates. Articulate's Blog is a valuable resource for tips, tutorials, and industry news.

7. Practice Regularly: Like any tool, proficiency comes with practice. Set aside time to experiment with different features and challenge yourself with new projects.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your proficiency and creativity in using Articulate Storyline for eLearning development.

How to Display Storyline (Articulate Storyline) Skills on Your Resume

2. Captivate (Adobe Captivate)

Adobe Captivate is a comprehensive eLearning authoring tool used by instructional designers to create interactive digital learning content, such as courses, simulations, and quizzes, without the need for advanced programming skills.

Why It's Important

Captivate is crucial for Instructional Designers as it allows for the creation of engaging, interactive eLearning content, including simulations, quizzes, and responsive courses, tailored for various devices, enhancing the learning experience and outcomes.

How to Improve Captivate (Adobe Captivate) Skills

Improving your skills in Adobe Captivate as an Instructional Designer involves a combination of mastering software functionalities, understanding instructional design principles, and staying updated with the latest trends. Here are some concise tips:

1. Explore Adobe's Tutorials: Start with Adobe's own tutorials to get a solid grasp of the basics and advanced features.

2. Practice Regularly: Apply new knowledge by creating small projects. Repetition solidifies skills and encourages creativity.

3. Join Communities: Engage with Adobe's Captivate Community to exchange ideas, solve challenges, and get inspired by other designers' work.

4. Learn Instructional Design Principles: Understanding fundamental instructional design principles is crucial. The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) provides resources and networking opportunities.

5. Follow Blogs and Webinars: Regularly read industry blogs and attend webinars to stay updated on the latest trends, tips, and tricks in Captivate and eLearning design.

6. Utilize Templates and Assets: Leverage pre-built assets and templates to improve efficiency. Explore resources within Captivate and from third-party sources like eLearning Brothers.

7. Experiment with Advanced Features: Gradually incorporate advanced features like responsive design, VR projects, and advanced interactions to elevate your course designs.

By focusing on continuous learning through these resources and practices, you'll enhance your proficiency in Adobe Captivate and elevate your instructional design projects.

How to Display Captivate (Adobe Captivate) Skills on Your Resume

3. Lectora

Lectora is a comprehensive e-learning authoring software used by instructional designers to create interactive and responsive online courses, assessments, and presentations. It offers a wide range of tools and templates for developing engaging and accessible learning content.

Why It's Important

Lectora is important for an Instructional Designer because it offers a powerful and intuitive platform for creating engaging, interactive e-learning content efficiently, supporting various media types and accessibility standards, thus enhancing learning experiences and outcomes.

How to Improve Lectora Skills

To improve Lectora for Instructional Designers, focus on the following strategies:

1. Utilize Templates and Themes: Leverage Lectora's library of templates and themes to ensure consistent design and save development time. Lectora Templates

2. Incorporate Interactivity: Enhance learning experiences by adding interactive elements like quizzes, drag-and-drops, and simulations. Interactivity in Lectora

3. Adopt Responsive Design: Use Lectora's responsive design features to ensure your courses look great on any device. Responsive Course Design

4. Incorporate External Resources: Enhance your courses by embedding web-based resources, videos, and external links to provide a richer learning experience. Embedding External Resources

5. Optimize Media Usage: Compress images and videos to improve course loading times without sacrificing quality. Optimizing Media in Lectora

6. Leverage JavaScript for Customization: Use JavaScript to add custom functionality or to integrate with external systems for a more personalized learning experience. JavaScript in Lectora

7. Test and Iterate: Regularly test your courses on different devices and gather user feedback to continually refine and improve the learning experience. Testing in Lectora

By focusing on these areas, Instructional Designers can significantly enhance the effectiveness and engagement of their courses in Lectora.

How to Display Lectora Skills on Your Resume

4. Camtasia

Camtasia is a screen recording and video editing software widely used by instructional designers for creating video tutorials and presentations directly via screencast, or via a direct recording plug-in to Microsoft PowerPoint.

Why It's Important

Camtasia is important for an Instructional Designer because it provides a comprehensive suite for creating engaging, high-quality instructional videos, enabling the effective presentation of educational content through visual demonstrations and interactive elements.

How to Improve Camtasia Skills

To enhance Camtasia for Instructional Design, consider the following concise steps:

1. Storyboarding: Plan your project with a storyboard to organize ideas, scenes, and narration beforehand. Utilize tools like Storyboard That for creating your storyboard.

2. Templates and Themes: Use and customize Camtasia’s built-in templates and themes for consistency in branding and style. Explore resources like TechSmith Assets for additional templates.

3. Engaging Content: Incorporate interactive quizzes, surveys, and clickable links within your videos to enhance engagement. TechSmith’s tutorial on Interactive Videos can guide you.

4. Audio Quality: Improve narration by using a high-quality microphone and Camtasia’s audio effects to reduce noise and enhance clarity. For tips, review TechSmith’s guide on Better Audio.

5. Efficient Editing: Master Camtasia’s editing shortcuts and techniques to streamline your production process. Familiarize yourself with their Editing Tips.

6. Accessibility: Ensure your videos are accessible by adding captions, descriptive audio, and ensuring all interactive elements are navigable for users with disabilities. Reference the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for best practices.

7. Feedback and Iteration: Share drafts with peers or stakeholders for feedback using platforms like ReviewLink or Vimeo for collaborative commenting.

8. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest Camtasia features and instructional design trends by following blogs and tutorials from TechSmith and subscribing to relevant YouTube channels.

Implementing these strategies will elevate the quality and effectiveness of your instructional videos in Camtasia.

How to Display Camtasia Skills on Your Resume

5. Moodle

Moodle is an open-source learning management system (LMS) designed to help educators create effective online courses and learning environments. For an Instructional Designer, it serves as a platform to design, deliver, and manage course content, assessments, and collaboration tools to enhance the learning experience.

Why It's Important

Moodle is important for an Instructional Designer because it provides a versatile, open-source learning platform to create customized and effective online courses, facilitating interactive learning experiences and enabling efficient management of educational content and assessments.

How to Improve Moodle Skills

Improving Moodle for an Instructional Designer involves enhancing course design, user experience, and interactivity. Focus on these key areas:

1. Use Themes and Templates: Select responsive, visually appealing themes and employ templates for consistent course layouts. Explore the Moodle Themes directory for options.

2. Incorporate Multimedia: Integrate videos, podcasts, and interactive content using tools like H5P to increase engagement and cater to different learning styles.

3. Utilize Plugins: Enhance functionality with plugins for quizzes, collaboration, and feedback. The Moodle Plugins directory offers a wide range of options.

4. Apply Gamification: Include elements of gamification such as badges, leaderboards, and challenges to motivate students. Explore Moodle’s gamification plugins for ideas.

5. Optimize Navigation: Ensure intuitive course navigation by structuring content logically and using the Moodle Book resource for multi-page resources.

6. Employ Feedback Tools: Utilize Moodle’s survey and feedback tools to gather student insights and adapt course content accordingly.

7. Accessibility: Ensure all content is accessible, following Moodle’s accessibility guidelines.

8. Professional Development: Continuously explore Moodle’s evolving features and pedagogical strategies through resources like Moodle Academy.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance the learning experience within Moodle.

How to Display Moodle Skills on Your Resume

6. SCORM

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is a set of technical standards for e-learning software that enables interoperability, reusability, and accessibility of course content across different learning management systems (LMS), ensuring that content created by instructional designers can be shared and used widely.

Why It's Important

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is essential for Instructional Designers as it standardizes how e-learning content is created, shared, and delivered across different learning management systems (LMS), ensuring compatibility, reusability, and access to a wider audience.

How to Improve SCORM Skills

Improving SCORM for an Instructional Designer involves enhancing course design, interactivity, and tracking capabilities to ensure effective learning experiences. Here are concise steps:

1. Enhance Interactivity: Increase engagement by incorporating interactive elements like quizzes, drag-and-drop activities, and simulations. Tools such as Adobe Captivate or Articulate Storyline offer advanced interactivity features.

2. Optimize Mobile Learning: Ensure your SCORM courses are responsive and accessible on various devices. Consider using Adapt Learning for creating fully responsive eLearning content.

3. Improve Accessibility: Follow WCAG guidelines to make courses accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. This involves adding subtitles, audio descriptions, and ensuring keyboard navigability.

4. Utilize Microlearning: Design bite-sized learning modules for better retention and engagement. Tools like iSpring Suite can facilitate the creation of concise, impactful learning nuggets.

5. Incorporate Real-world Scenarios: Use scenario-based learning to increase relevance and application of knowledge. This approach can be enhanced with tools like BranchTrack for creating interactive scenarios.

6. Leverage Analytics: Use SCORM-compliant LMS analytics to track learner progress and identify areas for improvement. Platforms like Moodle offer comprehensive tracking and reporting capabilities.

7. Feedback Mechanisms: Incorporate feedback loops within your courses to collect learner insights and continuously refine course content.

8. Test and Update: Regularly test your SCORM packages on multiple platforms and update content to keep it current and relevant.

9. Collaborate with SMEs: Work closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to ensure content accuracy and relevance.

10. Follow Instructional Design Models: Apply models such as ADDIE or SAM to structure your development process effectively. More information on these models can be found in resources like ATD (Association for Talent Development).

By focusing on these areas, Instructional Designers can significantly improve the effectiveness and engagement of SCORM courses.

How to Display SCORM Skills on Your Resume

7. XAPI

XAPI (Experience API), for an Instructional Designer, is a specification that enables the collection of data about a wide range of learning experiences, facilitating tracking, reporting, and analysis to improve and personalize learning outcomes.

Why It's Important

xAPI (Experience API) is crucial for Instructional Designers as it enables the tracking, recording, and analysis of learning experiences across various platforms and contexts, providing comprehensive insights into learner performance and engagement. This facilitates personalized, adaptive learning experiences and more effective instructional design.

How to Improve XAPI Skills

To improve your use of the Experience API (xAPI) as an Instructional Designer, follow these concise steps:

1. Understand the Basics: Familiarize yourself with the core concepts and structure of xAPI. The ADL xAPI Overview provides a solid foundation.

2. Identify Learning Activities: Clearly define the learning activities you wish to track. This involves understanding the types of interactions that are most valuable for your learning objectives.

3. Define xAPI Statements: Learn how to craft well-structured xAPI statements. These statements should accurately represent the learners' interactions. The xAPI Statement 101 guide by Yet Analytics is a useful resource.

4. Choose the Right Tools: Select an xAPI-compliant Learning Record Store (LRS) and authoring tools that meet your project's needs. Consider tools that offer flexibility and ease of integration. A comparison of LRS tools can be found on Learning Locker’s website.

5. Implement and Test: Implement xAPI tracking within your learning environment. Begin with a pilot project to test and refine your approach. Ensure your xAPI statements are being correctly recorded in your LRS.

6. Analyze and Iterate: Use the data collected to analyze learning outcomes. Look for patterns and insights that can inform improvements to your instructional design. Tools like Watershed LRS offer analytics features.

7. Stay Updated and Connect: xAPI is an evolving specification. Stay updated with the latest developments and connect with the community. The xAPI Cohort is a free, community-driven learning opportunity to explore xAPI projects.

By following these steps and leveraging the resources provided, you can effectively improve your xAPI implementation, leading to more detailed insights into learner behavior and potentially enhancing the learning experiences you design.

How to Display XAPI Skills on Your Resume

8. InDesign (Adobe InDesign)

Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing and typesetting software used for creating and designing documents such as flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books. For an Instructional Designer, InDesign is a valuable tool for producing professional and visually appealing instructional materials, including PDFs, interactive documents, and print media.

Why It's Important

InDesign is crucial for Instructional Designers as it allows for professional-level layout and design of educational materials, including interactive PDFs, e-books, and print documents, ensuring engaging, visually appealing, and effectively structured learning content.

How to Improve InDesign (Adobe InDesign) Skills

To improve your Adobe InDesign skills for instructional design, consider the following concise tips:

1. Master the Basics: Understand the core features like layout, typography, and color management. Adobe's official tutorials are a great start.

2. Utilize Templates: Speed up your workflow by using and modifying templates. Explore Adobe's template resources.

3. Learn Typography: Good design hinges on typography. Adobe offers a comprehensive guide to mastering it in InDesign.

4. Incorporate Interactive Elements: Engage learners by adding interactive elements like hyperlinks, buttons, and videos. Adobe’s guide on interactivity is invaluable.

5. Explore Plugins and Scripts: Automate tasks and add functionality with plugins and scripts. Visit the Adobe Exchange for available options.

6. Practice Accessibility: Ensure your designs are accessible to all learners by following Adobe’s accessibility best practices.

7. Stay Updated: Adobe frequently updates InDesign. Keep abreast of new features and improvements through the Adobe Blog.

8. Join Online Communities: Engage with other users in forums like the Adobe InDesign Community to exchange tips and tricks.

By focusing on these areas, you'll enhance your InDesign proficiency, enabling you to create more engaging and effective instructional materials.

How to Display InDesign (Adobe InDesign) Skills on Your Resume

9. Illustrator (Adobe Illustrator)

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program used by instructional designers to create and manipulate high-quality graphics, illustrations, and layouts for educational materials and digital learning content.

Why It's Important

Adobe Illustrator is crucial for an Instructional Designer because it enables the creation of high-quality, scalable vector graphics for diverse educational materials, ensuring visually engaging and easily adaptable designs for various instructional media.

How to Improve Illustrator (Adobe Illustrator) Skills

Improving your skills in Adobe Illustrator, especially as an Instructional Designer, involves learning advanced techniques, practicing regularly, and staying updated with new features. Here’s a concise guide to help you enhance your Illustrator proficiency:

1. Master Pen Tool: The Pen Tool is essential for creating precise vector shapes and paths. Practice creating complex shapes to improve your control.

   • Pen Tool Tutorial

2. Understand Layers and Groups: Efficiently organizing your artwork can save time and make the editing process smoother.

   • Layers and Groups Guide

3. Explore Typography: Good design includes effective use of text. Learn how to manipulate text within shapes and along paths.

   • Typography Tips

4. Utilize Illustrator Brushes: Brushes can add complexity and flair to your designs. Experiment with different brush types for unique effects.

   • Brushes Guide

5. Practice with Templates: Use templates to learn new techniques and streamline your workflow. Adobe offers a range of templates suitable for various projects.

   • Adobe Templates

6. Stay Updated: Adobe regularly updates Illustrator with new tools and features. Keeping up with these updates can significantly improve your design process.

   • What's New in Illustrator

7. Online Tutorials and Courses: Websites like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Skillshare offer comprehensive courses that range from beginner to advanced levels.

   • LinkedIn Learning
   • Udemy Illustrator Courses
   • Skillshare Illustrator Classes

8. Practice Regularly: The key to mastering Illustrator is consistent practice. Set yourself small projects that challenge your current skill level.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your Illustrator skills, making your instructional design projects more visually appealing and effective.

How to Display Illustrator (Adobe Illustrator) Skills on Your Resume

10. Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop)

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful digital image editing software used for creating, enhancing, and manipulating graphics and photographs, offering a wide range of tools and features for design and illustration purposes, essential for instructional designers in creating visually engaging learning materials.

Why It's Important

Adobe Photoshop is crucial for Instructional Designers as it allows for the creation, editing, and enhancement of visual content, enabling the development of engaging and visually appealing instructional materials that enhance learning experiences.

How to Improve Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop) Skills

Improving your skills in Adobe Photoshop as an Instructional Designer involves a mix of learning advanced techniques, understanding design principles, and effectively applying these skills to create engaging learning materials. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Master Advanced Techniques: Enhance your knowledge of layers, masks, blending options, and smart objects for more sophisticated designs. Adobe's Photoshop Tutorials provide a comprehensive resource.

2. Leverage Typography: Good typography is crucial. Learn how to effectively use typefaces, spacing, and alignment to improve readability and visual appeal. Explore tutorials and tips on Adobe's Typography Fundamentals.

3. Understand Color Theory: Color can significantly impact learning by affecting mood and readability. Familiarize yourself with color harmony and psychology. Adobe Color Color Wheel is a great tool for creating effective color schemes.

4. Incorporate Visual Hierarchies: Structure your designs to guide the learner's eye and emphasize key information. This involves the strategic use of size, color, and layout. The Nielsen Norman Group offers insights on Visual Hierarchy.

5. Adapt UI/UX Principles: For online learning materials, understanding the basics of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design can enhance navigability and learner engagement. Interaction Design Foundation provides a helpful Introduction to UI Design.

6. Stay Updated and Inspired: Photoshop evolves continuously, so stay informed about new features and trends. Websites like Behance and Dribbble are great for inspiration.

7. Practice and Experiment: The key to mastering Photoshop is consistent practice and experimentation. Set yourself small projects or challenges to explore new techniques and tools.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your Photoshop skills, leading to more effective and engaging instructional designs.

How to Display Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop) Skills on Your Resume

11. HTML5

HTML5 is the latest version of the Hypertext Markup Language, used for structuring and presenting content on the World Wide Web. It provides advanced multimedia features, making it essential for creating interactive and engaging e-learning materials.

Why It's Important

HTML5 is important for an Instructional Designer because it supports the creation of engaging, interactive, and accessible web-based learning content that works across all modern browsers and devices, enhancing the learner's experience.

How to Improve HTML5 Skills

Improving HTML5 skills, especially for an Instructional Designer, involves focusing on understanding the core functionalities, accessibility, and interactivity that HTML5 offers. Here are concise strategies to enhance your HTML5 proficiency:

1. Grasp the Basics: Start with a solid foundation by mastering the basic tags, structure, and semantics of HTML5. Websites like Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) offer comprehensive guides and tutorials.

2. Focus on Accessibility: Learn how to make content accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This includes proper use of ARIA roles and understanding accessibility principles. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) provides resources and guidelines.

3. Enhance Interactivity: Dive into advanced HTML5 features that enhance user interaction, such as video, audio, and canvas elements. Explore resources on HTML5 Rocks for tutorials and updates.

4. Responsive Design: Understand the principles of responsive web design to ensure your content looks great on all devices. CSS-Tricks offers practical tips and snippets for media queries.

5. Utilize Frameworks: Familiarize yourself with HTML5-based frameworks like Bootstrap or Foundation that can speed up development and ensure cross-browser compatibility. Visit Bootstrap and Foundation for documentation and examples.

6. Practice and Projects: Apply what you’ve learned by working on real-world projects. Websites like CodePen and GitHub are great platforms to practice, share, and get feedback on your work.

7. Stay Updated: HTML5 and web standards are constantly evolving. Follow blogs, forums, and websites dedicated to web development to stay informed about the latest trends and features. Smashing Magazine is a great resource for the latest in web design and development.

By focusing on these areas, instructional designers can significantly improve their HTML5 skills, ensuring their content is accessible, interactive, and responsive across all platforms.

How to Display HTML5 Skills on Your Resume

12. CSS3

CSS3 is the latest version of the Cascading Style Sheets language used in web design to control the layout and appearance of HTML elements across a website, incorporating new features like animations, gradients, and responsive design tools to enhance user experience and visual presentation.

Why It's Important

CSS3 enhances web design and user experience through advanced styling capabilities, enabling Instructional Designers to create visually engaging and interactive learning materials that are responsive and accessible across different devices.

How to Improve CSS3 Skills

Improving your CSS3 skills as an Instructional Designer involves learning advanced techniques, practicing regularly, and staying updated with the latest trends. Here’s a very short and concise guide:

1. Master Flexbox and Grid: These layout models offer more flexibility and control. Start with CSS Tricks' Flexbox guide and CSS Grid guide to understand their power.

2. Learn CSS Variables: They make your CSS more maintainable by allowing you to reuse values. Check out the MDN Web Docs on CSS Custom Properties.

3. Understand CSS Animations and Transitions: Enhance user experience by adding animations and transitions. Start with MDN’s Using CSS Transitions and Using CSS Animations.

4. Practice Responsive Design: Learn how to create websites that work on any device. A List Apart’s article on Responsive Web Design is a great starting point.

5. Explore CSS Frameworks: Frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS can speed up your development process. Visit Bootstrap’s official website and Tailwind CSS documentation to learn more.

6. Utilize Online Learning Resources: Platforms like Codecademy, MDN Web Docs, and CSS Tricks offer in-depth tutorials and guides.

7. Build Projects: Apply what you’ve learned in real-world projects. This could be as simple as redesigning your portfolio or contributing to open-source projects.

8. Join Communities: Platforms like Stack Overflow, CSS-Tricks Forums, and Reddit’s r/css are great for seeking advice and staying updated with the latest trends.

Remember, the key to improving your CSS3 skills lies in continuous learning and practice.

How to Display CSS3 Skills on Your Resume