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SERVICES
An
Expert Instructional Design
Method
Before describing my
preferred approach to instructional design, please understand
that I am a very flexible designer who has tried out a variety
of approaches to the design of instruction. I am willing
to use any proprietary or mandated instructional design process,
if required by a client. That said, I have come to view
instructional design as a set of skilled processes that must be
combined with a knowledge of design options. I have tried
to collect the best processes and design options available, and
prefer to customize the method for each new project.
The
method I follow is a well-organized process based on an original study of
instructional designer expertise (see sidebar). The method is based on
proven expert practices rather than a theory of instructional design.
Therefore, the method is descriptive of a natural process, how expert training development teams design
training systems that are naturally motivating and effective. The method also incorporates
learning research and follows a rapid prototyping approach to system design.
Use
of a standardized method based on natural, expert practices is my real-world solution
to the challenge of designing and developing effective instructional systems.
This is a disciplined version of 'what works best' for the design of
real-world instruction using creative, highly effective strategies. This
instructional design method supports the development and review
of multiple design prototypes in an 'Integrated Product
Team' environment. Frequent reviews of prototypes by a
multi-discipline design team helps ensure that design objectives
will be accomplished. Expert instructional design
activities are supported in the context of rapid prototypes,
including determination of project scope, analysis of tasks and
learners, selecting a design (instructional strategy) organizing
knowledge, planning and developing content, supporting
production, roll-out, and evaluation.
The following method graphic is a high-level depiction of the method.
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Inquiry
into the Practices of Expert Courseware Designers:
A Pragmatic Method for the Design of Effective
Instructional Systems*
Abstract:
A multi-stage study of the practices of expert courseware
designers was conducted with the final goal of
identifying methods
for assisting non-experts with the design of effective
instructional systems. A total of 25 expert
designers were involved in all stages of the inquiry.
A model of the expert courseware design process
was created, tested and refined through four try-outs.
The final version of the model included
instructional design task descriptions and electronic
worksheets. The
study revealed a common expert process that included the
use of rapid prototypes, an opportunistic method of
applying 14 key instructional design tasks, 8 success
factors related to courseware design, and design
guidelines for 10 preferred instructional strategies for
courseware.
*
Rowley, K.
(2005). Inquiry into practices of expert courseware
designers. Journal of Educational Computing
Research, 33(4), 419-449.
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Natural Instructional Design Method
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Although
there are many possible directions for any given instructional
development project, I have found that this method embodies the
essence of an expert approach. Expert instructional
designers do not blindly follow any method or model, rather they
pick and choose those design activities that will have the
greatest impact on the project. They ensure that there
will always be a delivered product that will be effective.
Expert designers focus on learning outcomes and do not become
committed to an instructional technique until they have
constructed a prototype and proven that the design ideas will
work. They are both opportunistic and realistic about what
can and should be accomplished. Experts know when and how
much to rely on learning research vs. practical wisdom.
This is how I work, and the path that I try to follow with my
method of instructional design.
The
following are some of the complex and creative instructional
strategies that can be followed by designers using this method:
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Linear
computer-based instructional presentations
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Interactive
simulations
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Adaptive
training environments including intelligent tutoring
systems
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Story-based
instruction
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Scenario-based
instruction
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Procedural
facilitation strategies
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Performance
support tools
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Interactive
video training
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Apprenticeship-style
training and mentorship systems
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Game-based
training
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