More Than Just Technology: Tapping Into The Value of Instructional Designers

Instructional Designers (ID) are often described as wearing many hats. The role includes designing instructional materials, managing teams and partnerships, training faculty and other subject-matter-experts (SMEs), and supporting technology efforts. As the ID role becomes more integral to the success of learning environments, how can we better advocate for ID strengths and skills?

To get our conversation started, we will look at the ID’s role and value within different institutions. Then, we will discuss the many challenges we face with faculty and stakeholders who are unfamiliar with the different skills and strengths an ID can bring to the table. These challenges include a lack of faculty buy-in, unfamiliarity with instructional designers’ roles, and lack of available resources. We’ll also discuss possible solutions to these barriers.

Some of the questions we’ll consider:

1. What are other institutions doing when faced with these kinds of challenges?
2. How do other institutions promote IDs to their faculty?
3. What kind of role does the ID play in the institution?
4. How large is your Instructional Design team?
5. What solutions have you implemented at your institution?
6. What professional development opportunities or groups do you recommend for others?

Objectives:

Attendees will:

1. Discuss ways of advocating for the role of the instructional designer as a project manager, learning consultant, and ed tech expert.
2. Analyze challenges faced with communicating with subject-matter-experts unfamiliar with instructional design.
3. Identify potential strategies and solutions to promote collaboration and resolve commonly faced instructional design challenges.
4. Explore ways of collaborating with other institutions.