What is Instructional Design? Addressing Skills Gaps in an Evolving Workforce

So, What is Instructional Design? 

Simply put, it's the art and science of creating educational experiences that are engaging, effective, and consistent. It focuses on delivering knowledge in a way that ensures learners not only absorb information but also apply it in real-world scenarios. 

Some common workplace applications of instructional design include onboarding new employees, compliance training for industry standards, and professional development for equipping employees with new skills.

Yet as the world is changing, workers and employers alike are struggling to keep up with new technology and emerging needs for deeper learning and instruction. 

“There's no longer time for 'learn-as-you-go,'" said Greco. "Instructional design is becoming more and more important to help companies keep their employees up to date with the skills they need and best practices for their positions."

Programs offering an instructional design certificate, such as the one at UC San Diego Extended Studies, can equip new and existing instructional designers with the tools needed to thrive in this evolving field.

We spoke to Greco to learn more about the emerging challenges and specific expertise instructional designers can bring to the table to help employers and employees alike keep up with changes in the modern world. 

Elevating the Learning Experience

The first area of improvement that Greco highlighted is the ability of skilled instructional designers to create learning experiences that captivate and resonate with learners.

"Traditional workplace training has often prioritized content delivery over learner engagement," said Greco. "Too often, learners just click through a module, check the box, and move on."

Effective instructional design seeks to deliver materials that are not only informative but also engaging.

“A good instructional designer will know how to make the learning process interesting and leave learners wanting to know more," said Greco. "The goal is to make that process better so learners aren't wishing it’s over as soon as it starts."

One popular strategy for increasing engagement is the use of “gamification.” This approach incorporates elements like competition and rewards into learning modules to make them more dynamic.

Another strategy is integrating peer feedback and collaboration to encourage group learning and build accountability.

These methods reflect the fundamental skills that instructional designers bring to the table to craft impactful and meaningful learning experiences.

Bridging Cultures in a Global Workforce

Another challenge for employers is providing instructional design materials that meet the needs of a wide range of audiences and delivery formats.

As organizations expand globally, instructional designers must account for diverse learning styles and cultural norms. For instance, learners in some countries may prefer rote memorization, while others thrive on interactive, hands-on methods. Distance learning introduces another layer of complexity. 

"Every learner is different," said Greco. "Part of instructional design is adapting your information to different learners and figuring out the best method to reach the broadest group." 

Instructional designers are trained in developing flexible learning materials that can be adapted to different languages, cultures, and learning preferences. Quality instructional design can also ensure greater accessibility to account for learners with varying levels of ability, resources, or access to technology.

Rising to Hybrid and Remote Learning Challenges

Remote and hybrid learning are becoming the norm for many facets of learning and education. This landscape creates many opportunities but also comes with a set of new challenges. Teachers and instructional designers must consider different approaches to learning, engagement, and course structure to accommodate audiences that might not physically be in the same room. 

“Instructors now have to do more than just teach—they need to know how to film themselves, edit videos, and present well on camera,” said Greco. "That’s a whole new mindset for many educators who are being moved online."

Thoughtful and competent instructional designers are updating their skills to accommodate the changing online modalities while also focusing on the fundamentals—like curriculum design and evaluation—and how to apply them. 

“It's a new set of skills to learn, but it’s also a new opportunity for instructional designers that are willing to see it that way," said Greco.

Embracing Artificial Intelligence

In addition to hybrid learning, artificial intelligence (AI) is another technological advancement that is transforming instructional design in profound ways. 

"AI is becoming such a big player—both for creating instructional design and for learners completing their work,” said Greco. “It's unrealistic to expect instructional designers—or students—not to use it."

For instructional designers, AI presents an opportunity to tailor learning experiences for individual learners' needs and progress. A perfect example of this is Machani Robotics, which has created an AI powered conversational robot to help students with language learning. 

AI sets the stage for innovative platforms where learners can interact with content rather than passively consuming it. These tools enhance engagement to make learning more personalized and accessible.

Ultimately Greco sees the rise of AI as inevitable, emphasizing the responsibility of instructional designers to adapt by mastering these tools and updating their skills.

“This feels a bit like when Wikipedia first came out,” said Greco. “Teachers said, ‘Don't use Wikipedia, it's all wrong,’ but everyone used it anyway and now it's commonplace. I see AI as the next iteration of that."

The Evolving Measurements of Success

At the end of the day, progress is all about outcomes. In addition to delivering the material, instructional designers are also trained to evaluate outcomes to ensure effectiveness and adapt their materials to suit the evolving educational needs.

Feedback mechanisms play a crucial role in refining materials and ensuring they meet learner needs. Instructional designers are trained to measure outcomes such as learner engagement, comprehension, and the ability to apply knowledge in practical settings. 

"The goal isn't just to share information—it's to inspire learners to act on what they've learned and take something meaningful from the experience," said Greco. “We're constantly asking, 'What are the best practices today?' It requires continuous change and updates to stay relevant."

The Future of Instructional Design

As technology and demand for instructional design jobs increase, instructional designers will need to stay ahead of trends and continuously update their skills to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic workforce.

Programs offering an instructional design certificate such as the one offered by UC San Diego Extended Studies can help individuals develop the skills needed to stay up-to-date and succeed in this field.

While the pace of change can be daunting, Greco remains optimistic. 

"While technology and AI are changing things rapidly, I don't think it’s as scary as people make it out to be," said Greco. "I think the key will be a mix of staying focused on best practices while also learning to embrace new possibilities as they come along. The field is evolving so quickly that you can't solely rely on what worked five years ago."

To learn more about the UC San Diego Extended Studies Instructional Design Program, visit the Instructional Design certificate page, or contact the Arts, Humanities, Languages & Digital Arts department at AHL@ucsd.edu or 858-534-5508.