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Instructional Design

Explore everything you want to know about instructional design, including instructional design benefits, models, theory, best practices, and how to hire instructional designers for your next custom eLearning project.

Introduction to instructional design

Become acquainted with instructional design basics to build a solid foundation that helps you create eLearning content designed to enhance your learner experience while improving training outcomes and performance at your organization.

  1. What is Instructional Design, and Why is it Important?Use the power of instructional design to create training that gets results. Learn key models, principles, and how to build engaging eLearning experiences to improve performance.Alex Cleary · 10 min read
  2. How to Choose the Right Instructional Design ConsultantFind the right instructional design consultant. Learn to assess skills, costs, and project needs to ensure your training program is a success.Alex Cleary · 5 min read
  3. Real-World Success Stories: How Custom Instructional Design Drives Business ImpactDiscover how custom instructional design transforms corporate training into engaging, outcome-driven learning experiences. Explore real-world success stories and expert strategies to boost training impact and ROI.Alex Cleary · 7 min read
  4. When to Outsource: Strategic Timing for Custom Instructional Design ServicesStruggling with corporate training? Learn the 7 signs you need custom instructional design services to create effective, engaging learning experiences.Alex Cleary · 6 min read
  5. How to conduct a training needs assessmentDeveloping an eLearning program? Start with a training needs assessment ensuring the training meets your learners' needs and aligns with performance goals.Cydnie Smith · 14 min read
  6. Everything you need to know about instructional design, plus its benefitsWhat is instructional design? Learn about instructional design principles, models, practical uses, and takeaways to start using in your eLearning program today.Cydnie Smith · 13 min read
  7. How can I use a training needs analysis to improve learning?Follow our steps for conducting a training needs analysis to help your organization improve your eLearning program and meet your training performance goals.Cydnie Smith · 10 min read
  8. How Instructional Design Services Improve Corporate Training OutcomesExplore how instructional design services can improve your corporate training outcomes by creating structured training that meets your learners’ specific needs.Alex Cleary · 10 min read
  9. Step-by-step guide for conducting a knowledge check effectivelyLearn how to conduct knowledge checks, explore our top knowledge check tips, and how evaluating knowledge checks improves your training program results.Cydnie Smith · 14 min read
  10. How to hire the right instructional designer for your online training needsWe walk you through how to hire an instructional designer, including reviewing portfolios, critical skills to look for, and the steps to take during the hiring process.Cydnie Smith · 10 min read
  11. How to repurpose your instructor-led training and the benefits it offersWhen auditing your training library, take a strategic approach to repurpose instructor-led training by following our best practices to move your ILT content online.Pamela S. Hogle · 5 min read
  12. How to Evaluate an Instructional Design Company: 10 Key Questions to AskWe explore 10 essential questions that will help you evaluate the best instructional design company for your organization’s next eLearning project.Alex Cleary · 13 min read

Understanding instructional design models, frameworks, and theories

Steeped in science and psychology, begin your journey to understanding how humans learn, process, and retain information. A fundamental understanding of instructional design theories can help give the training you produce the edge your business needs to succeed.

  1. Top Instructional Design Models for Creating Effective Corporate TrainingExplore how instructional design models like ADDIE, SAM, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and more provide structured frameworks to create impactful, learner-focused corporate training that delivers measurable business results.Alex Cleary · 7 min read
  2. How to leverage learning theories in your online trainingLeveraging learning theories when developing your training courses can help you produce encapsulating, goal-focused, performance-driven eLearning content.Brendin Charles · 3 min read
  3. From ADDIE to Gagne: Comparing 5 instructional design models for eLearningWe dive into instructional design models: ADDIE, SAM, Bloom's Taxonomy, Kirkpatrick, and Gagne's Nine Events, exploring the best option for your eLearning.Cydnie Smith · 12 min read
  4. What is cognitive load?Information overload in training has real impact on your team! Reduce cognitive load by following these training content tips, and enjoy improved team performance.Pamela S. Hogle · 2 min read
  5. What is Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy?Bloom’s Taxonomy is a familiar tool for instructional designers. Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy extends to include activities for eLearning or online training initiatives.Pamela S. Hogle · 2 min read
  6. What is the forgetting curve?Learners forget much of what they learn, especially if they only get one exposure. Learn how to beat the forgetting curve to build long-term knowledge retention.Pamela S. Hogle · 5 min read

Using AI for instructional design

Generative AI tools reached the general public at the end of 2022, when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, and hundreds of tools have followed. Learn how you can use this powerful, ever-changing technology to save time and resources as an instructional designer.

  1. Ways you can use AI help to improve your instructional design workflowWe explore using AI tools like ChatGPT to help with instructional design workflows and project management tasks. Boost your productivity in a big way in 2023!Dominique Robertson · 9 min read
  2. Improve your instructional design workflow with these 8 practical AI tool usesExplore how AI tools help you with instructional design workflow challenges like learning needs analysis, creating course outlines, eLearning content, and more.Dominique Robertson · 10 min read

Best practices when creating instructional design

Embrace instructional design principles that act as a blueprint for your business to achieve eLearning development success. These techniques are relied upon by instructional designers across any industry to help shape and deliver effective training to learners worldwide.

  1. Guesswork to Growth: How Knowledge Checks Boost Training EffectivenessA knowledge check can transform training from passive to powerful. Learn how knowledge checks boost retention and keeper learners engaged.Alex Cleary · 5 min read
  2. From Brain to Blueprint: Transfer SME Knowledge into Scalable TrainingTurn SME expertise into a company asset. A formal knowledge transfer plan mitigates risk, boosts productivity, and drives sustainable business growth.Alex Cleary · 5 min read
  3. Adult Learning Principles in Action: Designing Training That Actually WorksUnlock effective training with adult learning principles. Learn to create engaging programs that boost learner retention and deliver a real return on investment.Alex Cleary · 5 min read
  4. How Blended Learning Enhances Training for a Hybrid WorkforceUnlock effective hybrid training with blended learning. Combine online and live instruction to boost engagement, increase ROI, and empower your workforce.Alex Cleary · 6 min read
  5. 5 Tips for successfully working with subject matter expertsUsing these five tips to successfully work with Subject Matter Experts, you'll optimize your eLearning project management, process flow, and build credibility.Jennifer Bell · 4 min read
  6. 10 eLearning design tips every new instructional designer should knowEven if you’re a new instructional designer, our 10 best eLearning design tips will ensure that your online training program will be both engaging and effective.Pamela S. Hogle · 6 min read
  7. Tailor your eLearning to fit your learners with these instructional design tipsBespoke eLearning fits your learners and organization by focusing on achieving your training performance goals and engagement benchmarks.Pamela S. Hogle · 4 min read
  8. Articulate Storyline magic tricks revealed!Learn ‘magic’ Articulate Storyline tricks and features to create training that looks modern, engages learners, and displays your content in more creative ways.Taylor Mymko · 3 min read
  9. 15 ways you can enhance your eLearning quiz questionsWhen creating your eLearning course, don't overlook your quiz. Read our top 15 ways to improve your quiz questions using instructional design best practices!Pamela S. Hogle · 2 min read
  10. Tips for creating effective eLearning quizzesYour eLearning quizzes should do more than mark completion of training. Learn how to create effective eLearning quizzes or how to fix your existing quizzes!Pamela S. Hogle · 6 min read
  11. How can I use an eLearning storyboard to improve the courses I create?We dig into what an eLearning storyboard is, the benefits of using one, and the 7-step process to successfully create your own eLearning storyboard.Cydnie Smith · 11 min read
  12. Compare: should you hire an instructional design agency versus freelance or offshore?We compare the different ways you can hire to fill your instructional design needs, and the risks and benefits associated with each one.Cydnie Smith · 11 min read