How does instructional design help teachers?
Teachers were one of the most affected groups of workers during and after the Covid pandemic. Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders resulted in lessons being forced out of the classroom and onto the internet, online or on-demand.
Though students have thankfully returned to the classroom, the demand for online learning in schools, colleges, universities and corporations continues to rise.
This has presented teachers with lots of opportunities compared to pre-2020.
The Benefits of Instructional Design in Teaching
Instructional design is the process of creating effective and engaging learning experiences. It focuses on how the learning content is used to ensure that learners acquire the knowledge and skills that they expect on completing the lessons or course.
As we mentioned above, the demand for online learning has skyrocketed in the last number of years. Consequently, the demand for courses and people with qualifications in digital learning design has skyrocketed as well.
The good news is instructional design can complement and help teachers traditional qualifications so they can upskill themselves to cater for online learning. In addition to benefitting themselves, it will also benefit their learners.
Benefits for the teacher
Improved Instructional Design Skills
Teachers can develop a deeper understanding of instructional design principles and techniques, allowing them to create more effective and engaging learning experiences for their students.
According to a survey by the eLearning Industry, 72% of companies believe that instructional design has a significant impact on the success of e-learning programs. It’s hard to imagine instructional design wouldn’t have a similar impact in the classroom.
Increased Career Opportunities
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can expand their career options beyond the classroom, working in roles such as instructional designer, e-learning developer, and curriculum developer.
According to a report by the Association for Talent Development, the global e-learning market is expected to reach $325 billion by 2025, creating significant career opportunities for instructional designers and other e-learning professionals. [More on this below].
Integrating technology
Instructional design courses can teach teachers how to integrate technology into their lessons to create a more interactive and engaging learning experience. They can learn how to use educational technology tools to enhance learning outcomes and create a more dynamic and collaborative classroom environment.
Instructional design courses often include training on the latest educational technologies and e-learning tools, giving teachers the skills and knowledge they need to effectively incorporate technology into their classroom lessons.
According to a report by EdTechXGlobal, the Edtech market in Europe is expected to reach €252 billion by 2025. It’s highly likely this tech will find its way more and more into the classroom.
Improved Student Outcomes
Effective instructional design can lead to improved student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes.
According to a study by the eLearning Industry, learners who receive well-designed e-learning courses are 50% more likely to achieve learning objectives compared to those who receive poorly designed courses.
Increased Earnings Potential
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can earn higher salaries in roles such as instructional designer, e-learning developer, and curriculum developer.
According to a report by Glassdoor, the average salary for an instructional designer in the US is $71,711 per year, with top earners making over $100,000 per year.
Using multimedia
Teachers can use multimedia, such as videos, images, and audio, to create engaging and interactive lessons. They can learn how to integrate multimedia into their lessons to create a more dynamic and engaging learning experience for their students.
Differentiated instruction
By applying instructional design principles, teachers can design lessons that cater to the diverse learning needs of their students. They can create different learning activities and assessments that align with each student’s individual learning style and pace.
Using assessments effectively
Instructional design courses teach teachers how to design effective assessments that accurately measure student learning outcomes. They can create formative and summative assessments that provide valuable feedback to both teachers and students and help them identify areas for improvement.
Designing effective lesson plans
Teachers can use instructional design principles to design lesson plans that are clear, focused, and aligned with learning objectives. They can structure lessons in a way that helps students understand the content and apply what they’ve learned.
Benefits for the learner
Here are five benefits that learners can receive if their teacher has a qualification in instructional design.
Engaging and Effective Learning Experiences
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can create engaging and effective learning experiences that help students to learn more effectively.
According to a report by the eLearning Industry, well-designed e-learning courses can lead to a 60% increase in learner engagement.
Personalized Learning
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can use their knowledge of instructional design principles to create personalized learning experiences that meet the individual needs and learning styles of their students.
According to a report by EdTech Magazine, personalized learning can lead to an 18% improvement in student performance.
Effective Use of Technology
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can effectively incorporate educational technologies into their classroom lessons, improving student engagement and learning outcomes.
According to a report by EdTechXGlobal, the use of technology in education can improve student outcomes by up to 30%.
Innovative Teaching Methods
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can use innovative teaching methods to help students learn more effectively, such as gamification, simulation-based learning, and scenario-based learning.
According to a report by the eLearning Industry, gamification can increase student engagement by up to 50%.
Improved Assessment and Feedback
Teachers with an instructional design qualification can create more effective assessments and provide more meaningful feedback to students, helping them to learn more effectively.
According to a report by the University of Sussex, effective feedback can lead to a 20% improvement in student performance.
Using instructional design to supplement teachers’ income
We have previously written about how some people use an instructional design qualification to change careers.
An instructional design qualification can open many doors for teachers. In addition to helping them become better teachers, resulting in better learning outcomes for their students, they can also use their instructional design certification to supplement their income while still remaining a teacher.
Here are five roles a teacher could use a qualification in instructional design to supplement their income.
Freelance Instructional Designer
With a qualification in instructional design, a teacher can use their skills to create instructional materials and courses for clients in various industries. They can work as a freelance instructional designer and offer their services to organizations that need to create effective learning experiences for their employees or customers.
Online Tutor
Online tutoring is a rapidly growing industry, and teachers with a qualification in instructional design can use their skills to create engaging and effective online courses for students. They can use their expertise to design courses that are tailored to individual student needs and preferences.
Curriculum Designer
Teachers can use their instructional design skills to create curricula for schools and educational organizations. They can design curricula that align with learning objectives and meet the needs of different student populations.
Course Facilitator
With their qualification in instructional design, teachers can facilitate courses and training sessions for other educators or professionals. They can use their knowledge and experience to help others develop their instructional design skills and create effective learning experiences.
Educational Consultant
Teachers with a qualification in instructional design can use their expertise to consult with schools and educational organizations. They can help these organizations develop and implement effective instructional design strategies and provide guidance on how to improve learning outcomes for their students.
How can I get an instructional design certification?
Now that you’ve learned all about the importance of learning technology in instructional design for teachers, you may be wondering how to become a qualified instructional designer. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate to employers that you have acquired a foundation of instructional design skills is through completing a course, such as the Professional Certificate in Instructional Design. Since the course is accredited, employers are able to instantly recognise the quality of the course and the value of your skill set.