Teaching to Instructional Design: How to Get Started

The instructional designer’s job is to create learning experiences, not just content. They are responsible for all aspects of the design process: from evaluating the learners’ needs to designing and developing learning activities and assessments, to evaluating their work. The instructional designer has a wide range of responsibilities that can include everything from developing lesson plans and teaching strategies to conducting research and implementing design principles. In this article, let us discuss how teachers can transition to ID and get instructional design jobs.

How to Become an Instructional Designer- the 5-Step Guide for Teachers

IDs are the ones who design and develop instructional materials to be used in the classroom. They are responsible for the entire learning process, from planning to completion. This is why those who plan to transition to the field of instructional design must make sure to prepare well. Below is a 5-step guide on how you can prepare for your transition.

Step 1: Research. Research. Research.

I mean it, teachers. Researching should be your priority in preparing for your transition to ID. Immerse yourself in the various adult learning theories and instructional design models. It will be a great help to create your cheat sheet on these theories and models. This will serve as your guide in preparing for your interviews later on.

Step 2: Upskill

What I like about technology is that it opened doors to various platforms for upskilling. In this step, I want you to take advantage of the free and accessible resources online by taking e-learning courses about instructional design. You may also consider exploring further by studying different tools such as Adobe Creative Studio and Articulate Storyline.

Step 3: Practice

Just like what we do in our classes, it’s time for independent practice. That’s right. You need to practice the things you have learned from the e-learning courses you have taken. Take time to revamp your old slide deck for class, create sample assessment tools and rubrics, and even draft an entire training program.

Step 4: Build Your Portfolio

Trust me. Having a portfolio makes a big difference when you start applying for instructional designer posts. It helps the hiring manager gauge your skills and compare them against the skills of other applicants. It also shows them the range of your knowledge about ID. Make sure to include your sample works!

Step 5: Customize Your Resume

Update your resume and make sure to mention the teaching tasks that are related to ID tasks. For instance, I made sure to include curriculum planning, lesson plan-making, and assessment tools construction in my resume. So, take time to go over your tasks as a teacher and relate it to the ones done or expected from IDs.

So, Can Teachers Get Instructional Design Jobs?

The short answer is YES! While it may not be a smooth process transitioning to instructional design, teachers can take advantage of their skills in curriculum, presentation, and assessment tool development. The years of experience in facilitating learning experiences for young students can now be used in designing ones for adult learners too.