Series 1: Workbook 1A Companion Course
Introduction to Instructional Design
Course Description
This workbook introduces learners to the core principles, processes, and roles involved in instructional design. Each chapter builds toward the creation of a complete 30-minute instructional module, with each assignment contributing both to the final project and the learner’s portfolio.
By the end of this workbook, learners will have designed a complete 30-minute instructional module, including objectives, content, assessments, and an implementation and evaluation plan. Each chapter contributes one step toward this final deliverable, while also generating portfolio-ready artifacts.
Companion Course 1A
Chapters
Select a chapter tile below to read the content and complete the activities.
Chapter 1
Understanding Instructional Design
This workbook isn’t just about reading and reflection, it’s about doing. At the end of each chapter, you’ll complete a portfolio project step that applies the concepts you’ve learned. These steps connect together so that, by the end of the workbook, you will have designed a complete instructional project you can include in your professional portfolio.
Chapter 2
Foundations of Learning Theories
Instructional design isn’t just about creating activities, it’s about creating activities that help people actually learn. That’s where learning theories come in. Each theory offers a different explanation of how people learn, and these explanations directly shape the strategies instructional designers choose.
Chapter 3
Planning for Instructional Design
Imagine building a house without a blueprint. You might get the walls up, but chances are the result wouldn’t be stable or functional. Instructional design works the same way. The planning phase acts as the blueprint for the entire project. It sets the direction, ensures alignment, and helps avoid costly mistakes later.
Chapter 4
Designing Instructional Content
Designing content for instruction is more than just presenting information. Effective content design ensures that learners can understand, retain, and apply what they are learning. Poorly designed content can overwhelm learners and block understanding while strong design makes learning clear, engaging, and purposeful.
Chapter 5
Developing Assessments
Instructional design isn’t complete without assessment. You can create the most engaging, beautifully designed content, but if you don’t measure whether learners actually achieved the objectives, you won’t know if your design worked. Assessment is how instructional designers close the loop between intention and outcome.
Chapter 6
Implementing and Evaluating
Designing a course is only half the job, making sure it is implemented successfully is just as important. Implementation involves the practical steps required to move a design from a plan into a real learning experience.