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Instructional Design is the intentional curating of technology and format in order to deliver learning content for specified learning experience. Often instructional designers (IDs) follow instructional design models to lead their process. In contrast with a teacher who is responsible for delivering and facilitating the learning themselves, an ID is responsible for planning the learning delivery and creating the blocks of content. While it is not essential to have technology skills as an ID, most jobs require some knowledge and the more skills you have, the more opportunities you will have in your job search.
The ADDIE Model is one such structure for describing and guiding the instructional design process. By following the five ADDIE steps, IDs are able to create accessible, quality content and continually adapt the information design through identifying how the learners are receiving and interacting with the content.
The first step is ANALYSIS. In this phase of the model, the ID forms the essential questions of the course content and answers them. IDs define the learning outcomes by asking the "who, what, why, where, when, and how" questions. If the ID is not the subject matter expert, then they are consulting SMEs in order to answer these questions.
The second step is DESIGN. In this phase, the ID is transforming the questions asked and answered in the ANALYSIS phase into an outline for delivery. The ID establishes the order in which each part of the content will be given and the format by which the learning takes place. Will there be videos and tutorials? Will there be discussion boards and blogs? The ID decides that format here. SMEs may continue to be consulted in order to plan out the correct order of content delivery.
The third step is DEVELOPMENT. In this phase, the ID is creating the content of the course. Video content is filmed and edited. Graphics are designed and implemented. Audio is scripted and recorded. In this step, the bulk of the "technology" work is completed.
The fourth step is IMPLEMENTATION. In this phase, the ID enrolls learners in the course and observes the users success at using the content.
The fifth step is EVALUATION. In this phase, the outcome of the course is assessed. Did the learners meet the objectives of the course which were first established in the ANALYSIS phase? If necessary, the ID will redevelop questions, rearrange the outline and delivery plans, recreate course content, and redistribute the course to learners.
In the ADDIE model, an ID can evaluate at any stage and revisit any of the phases as necessary. They will cycle through this model until the final course design is reached.
The ADDIE model is not the only instructional design model, however, it is one of the most prominent and an essential process to know for any ID.
For a visual representation of the ADDIE model, checkout this video by the Network of the National Library of Medicine:
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