Series 3: Workbook 3E Companion Course
Research & Innovation in Instructional Design
Course Description
This workbook bridges practice and scholarship, helping you learn to ask meaningful questions, design small-scale studies, analyze data, and communicate findings with confidence. You’ll also explore how to share your work with the broader instructional design community through publications, portfolios, and professional networks.
Across five chapters, you’ll explore both research fundamentals and innovative applications in instructional design. You’ll learn to design a research study, evaluate emerging trends, publish your findings, and apply research insights to real-world projects. Each chapter builds toward a final Instructional Design Research & Innovation Showcase, a capstone artifact that demonstrates your ability to investigate, innovate, and share knowledge.
Companion Course 3E
Chapters
Select a chapter tile below to read the content and complete the activities.
Chapter 1
Conducting Instructional Design Research
In this first chapter, you’ll explore the foundations of instructional design research. You’ll examine research methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, and learn how to select the right one for your question. You’ll design a small-scale study, address ethical considerations such as consent and bias, and learn the basics of analyzing and interpreting your data.
Chapter 2
Innovative Practices in Instructional Design
Throughout this chapter, you’ll examine cutting-edge instructional design practices and explore how emerging technologies shape learning. You’ll study case examples of innovation in diverse settings and learn to evaluate the outcomes of creative instructional strategies. By the end, you’ll have a framework for identifying, implementing, and assessing innovative ideas that align with instructional goals and learner needs.
Chapter 3
Publishing and Sharing Research
In this chapter, you will learn to:
*Build a professional presence by sharing findings ethically and confidently.
*Identify appropriate publication formats and outlets for different kinds of research.
*Structure a clear, concise research report or article.
*Write for diverse audiences, including educators, employers, and fellow designers.
*Use visuals, storytelling, and evidence to make research engaging.
Chapter 4
Practical Applications and Implementation
In this chapter, you’ll move step-by-step through the process of implementing research-driven design. You will:
Scale and Sustain Innovation: Plan how to expand successful projects, secure institutional support, and maintain long-term momentum.
Develop a Research Proposal: Outline your rationale, purpose, design, and methods for gathering data that can guide instructional improvement.
Conduct and Present a Study: Learn how to collect data responsibly, analyze results, and communicate them clearly through visuals and summaries.
Apply Research to Practice: Explore how to turn research findings into design improvements and innovations that directly enhance learning experiences.
Chapter 5
Final Project & Reflection
In this chapter, you will compile, revise, and present your final project. You will also write a reflective narrative that connects your research experience to your broader professional growth. These elements together form the capstone artifact for your Research and Innovation Portfolio. They show your readiness to apply evidence-based design in real-world contexts and your commitment to continuous learning and improvement.