Best Courses For Instructional Designers: Instructional designers have become indispensable in today’s rapidly evolving educational industry. Their primary mission is to ensure that educational materials, methods, and activities are purposeful, engaging, and conducive to effective learning. For this reason, it is essential for aspiring instructional designers to master the skills of analyzing, designing, developing, and evaluating educational materials and strategies.

With the increasing demand for skilled instructional designers, many professionals are seeking comprehensive training programs to enhance their skills. In this article, we highlight the five best online courses for instructional design, explaining why each one stands out.

Best Courses For Instructional Designers

We have selected these five courses based on their stellar reputations, high-quality curricula, industry recognition, and the expertise of their instructors. Let’s dive in!

Alula Learning Training for Instructional Designers

Alula Learning offers a premier training program designed specifically for aspiring and current instructional designers. This comprehensive course is structured to provide you with the essential skills needed to excel in the field of instructional design. It is one of the best courses for instructional designers in the market and the most affordable of all we found during our research.

Key Details of the Alula Learning Training Program:

Instructional Design Frameworks and Methodologies: Gain a deep understanding of various instructional design frameworks and methodologies.

Course Development: Learn the intricacies of building a course from start to finish.

Authoring Tools: Master the use of Articulate Storyline and other authoring tools.

Gamification: Understand game design principles and how they enhance learning experiences.

Program Structure:

The program is run in a blended format – partly online and partly in-class. There are 8 modules on the program spread over 8 weeks: 32 days online and 8 days in-class. The program is designed to offer flexible learning options, accommodating participants from around the globe. You can join us from anywhere. The program begins on August 19th, 2024.

Exclusive Early-Bird Discount:

Take advantage of the 30% early-bird discount, reducing the fee from 250,000 Naira to just 175,000 Naira.

How to Register:

To register, call: 07059030944 or send an email to [email protected]. You can also click the link below to register now!

Register Now

The Instructional Design Bootcamp

The Instructional Design Bootcamp is an immersive online course tailored to help instructional designers achieve financial independence and career success. This program provides over thirty rounds of detailed, actionable feedback on various portfolio projects, ensuring participants develop a strong foundation guided by seasoned instructional designers and hiring managers.

Key Features:

– In-Depth Feedback: Receive comprehensive feedback on portfolio deliverables, enabling you to refine your skills and produce top-quality work.

– 1-on-1 Support: Benefit from personalized guidance and mentorship from professionals with over two decades of experience in the field.

– Skill Enhancement Opportunities: Participate in specialized sessions, such as a storyline project lab and a flagship project creation workshop, to sharpen your abilities.

– Career Development: Learn how to craft an outstanding portfolio and resume, ace instructional design interviews, and generate valuable leads on LinkedIn.

This bootcamp is ideal for current or former educators seeking to transition into corporate instructional design roles. It offers a hands-on online experience focused on creating engaging, story-driven projects and enhancing visual design skills. The program also emphasizes networking strategies to attract recruiters.

Program Structure:

– Duration: Approximately five months.

– Commitment: Around five hours per week, with flexible options available.

– Cost: $7,400 USD, which includes lifetime access to the program and its resources.

The Instructional Design Bootcamp equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in the field, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Introduction to Instructional Design

Harvard University’s Professional Learning Lab offers a comprehensive and immersive “Introduction to Instructional Design” course. This program aims to equip participants with the fundamental principles and practices of instructional design, providing a robust foundation for creating effective learning experiences.

Course Overview:

This introductory course is designed for educators, instructional designers, and professionals involved in developing educational materials. It blends theoretical knowledge with practical application through a mix of hands-on exercises and interactive discussions, all guided by experienced instructional design experts.

Key Learning Outcomes:

– Theoretical Foundations: Gain a deep understanding of instructional design principles and methodologies.

– Practical Application: Learn to bridge the gap between theory and practice by integrating media and technology into instructional design.

– Technology Integration: Explore how digital tools and multimedia resources can enhance learner engagement and comprehension.

– Comprehensive Syllabus: The curriculum covers analyzing learner needs, designing learning objectives, creating engaging educational materials, and assessing, evaluating, implementing, and iterating on instructional strategies.

Ideal Participants:

This course is ideal for educators, instructional designers, curriculum developers, and trainers seeking to enhance their skills in instructional design.

Course Structure:

– Project-Based Learning: Submit a project every two weeks to apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.

– Instructor-Led Pace: Benefit from structured guidance and support from expert instructors.

– Additional Resources: Access video transcripts and other supplementary materials to support your learning journey.

Cost: The fee for this online instructional design course is $3,100.

This course not only provides the foundational knowledge necessary for effective instructional design but also offers practical, hands-on experience to help participants immediately apply their new skills. Join this program to advance your career and create impactful learning experiences.

Build Your Skills as an Instructional Designer

LinkedIn Learning offers “Build Your Skills as an Instructional Designer,” an introductory course designed to provide participants with a robust foundation for a career in instructional design. This short, eight-hour course covers the essential concepts and techniques needed to excel in the field.

Course Overview:

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to instructional design, covering both conceptual and theoretical foundations. Participants will learn how to use video to create engaging learning experiences, support eLearning, online training, and corporate training.

Key Learning Outcomes:

– Foundational Knowledge: Gain an understanding of the core principles of instructional design.

– Practical Skills: Learn to design a learner’s journey using video and other multimedia tools.

– eLearning Essentials: Understand the key components of effective eLearning and online training.

– Interactive Techniques: Develop skills in storyboarding, training with stories, and creating engaging and fun videos.

– Evaluation Methods: Learn how to measure the effectiveness of your instructional design efforts.

Course Content:

Some of the specific topics covered in this course include:

– Building your own professional training programs

– Instructional design essentials

– eLearning essentials

– Components of effective learning

– Storyboarding techniques

– Training with stories

– Designing a learner’s journey

– Creating engaging videos

– Measuring learning effectiveness

Certification:

Upon completing the course, which is divided into ten lessons or units, participants will earn a certificate of completion.

Part of LinkedIn Learning Path:

“Build Your Skills as an Instructional Designer” is part of the LinkedIn Learning Path, a series of professional training programs designed to help advance your career. For more information about subscription plans and certificates, you will need to contact a LinkedIn sales representative.

This course is ideal for anyone looking to enter the field of instructional design or enhance their existing skills. With its practical approach and comprehensive coverage, participants will be well-equipped to create impactful learning experiences.

Instructional Design Foundations and Applications

Coursera’s “Instructional Design Foundations and Applications” is a comprehensive course designed to introduce learners to the core principles of instructional design. Developed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and taught by Eunjung Grace Oh from the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, this course provides both theoretical and practical insights into instructional systems.

Course Overview:

The primary aim of this course is to help professionals identify and address performance problems within their organizations through effective instructional design. It covers a wide range of foundational concepts and tools essential for creating impactful learning experiences.

Key Learning Outcomes:

– Historical Foundations: Gain an understanding of the historical context and evolution of instructional design.

– Core Concepts: Learn essential concepts and the current career landscape of instructional design.

– Design Tools and Models: Explore various instructional design tools and models used in the industry.

– Practical Analysis Exercises: Engage in exercises focusing on context analysis, needs assessments, and the development of learning environments, goals, objectives, and outcomes.

Course Content:

The modules included in this course cover:

– Introduction to instructional design, including historical foundations and essential concepts

– Tools and models used in instructional design

– Analysis exercises for context analysis, needs assessments, and designing learning environments

– Development of learning goals, objectives, and outcomes

Flexible Learning:

One of the key features of this course is its flexibility. Learners can follow the course at their own pace, choosing deadlines that fit their schedules. The course requires approximately 12 hours to complete.

Certification:

Upon completion, participants will receive a shareable certificate, enhancing their professional credentials. While the course itself can be accessed for free, there is a fee for obtaining the completion certificate.

Financial Aid and Business Options:

Coursera offers financial aid and business options for those interested in enrolling. Check Coursera’s website for more details on these opportunities.

This course is ideal for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of instructional design and apply these principles to solve performance problems in their organizations. With its blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, “Instructional Design Foundations and Applications” equips learners with the skills needed to excel in the field.

Best Courses For Instructional Designers

Conclusion

The field of instructional design is dynamic and constantly evolving. The trends in 2024 reflect a strong emphasis on personalization, engagement, accessibility, and continuous improvement. By embracing these trends, instructional designers can create effective, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of modern learners. As technology continues to advance and educational needs evolve, staying abreast of these trends will be crucial for anyone involved in instructional design.

Ready to Elevate Your Skills?

Join the Alula Learning Training for Instructional Designers and unlock new opportunities in 2024! Secure your spot today and take the first step towards a brighter future. Classes are filling up fast!

Best Courses For Instructional Designers