Instructional Designer
Designs curriculum, courses, or training materials based on learning research.
An instructional designer creates structured learning experiences, courses, training modules, e-learning content, applying research on how people actually learn rather than just organizing information. A typical day includes designing a course outline, building interactive learning materials, and testing whether a lesson actually helps learners retain and apply the material.
The role increasingly overlaps with e-learning and corporate training, working with subject matter experts to translate their knowledge into a structured, effective learning experience for others.
Core tasks
- ✓Designing course structure and learning objectives
- ✓Building instructional materials (often digital/e-learning)
- ✓Applying learning theory to design decisions
- ✓Testing and revising materials based on learner feedback
- ✓Collaborating with subject matter experts
- ✓Evaluating whether learning objectives are being met
Tools & skills used
Typical entry paths
- →Educational Psychology or Education, sometimes combined with a graduate degree in instructional design or learning technology
Common misconceptions
- It's not the same as being a classroom teacher, though the skills overlap; the focus here is designing learning materials and systems, not delivering live instruction.
- Effective instructional design is grounded in learning science research, not just personal opinions about what makes a good course.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Instructional Designer do?
Designs curriculum, courses, or training materials based on learning research.
What are the core tasks of a Instructional Designer?
Day to day, this typically includes: Designing course structure and learning objectives; Building instructional materials (often digital/e-learning); Applying learning theory to design decisions.
What tools or skills does a Instructional Designer use?
Common tools and skills for this role include Learning theory and instructional design models, E-learning authoring tools, Curriculum and assessment design, Collaboration with subject matter experts.
How do people typically become a Instructional Designer?
Educational Psychology or Education, sometimes combined with a graduate degree in instructional design or learning technology.
What's a common misconception about being a Instructional Designer?
It's not the same as being a classroom teacher, though the skills overlap; the focus here is designing learning materials and systems, not delivering live instruction.
What college majors lead to becoming a Instructional Designer?
Majors that commonly lead here include Educational Psychology, Elementary Education, Communication Studies. A major shapes what you study, it isn't a guarantee of landing this specific role.
Printed from majoratlas.com/careers/instructional-designer