ID Teams Have a Wide Variety of Skills
As you begin thinking about a career in Instructional Design and Technology, you may be worried about your lack of design skills. Maybe you don’t know how to build a website that looks attractive, or you’re not quite sure what makes an infographic successful. Similarly, you may not have a strength in technology. You’re definitely not the friend that people call when they have IT issues, and you have no idea how computer coding works. The good news is that the field of instructional design draws from such a broad skill set that, chances are, you already have the expertise needed to be successful on an instructional design team. Good ID teams are diverse, with each person bringing a wide variety of skills, experiences, and strengths to the table.
Soft Skills Take Many Forms for an Instructional Designer
These “soft skills” can take a variety of forms. For example, good instructional designers need to be skilled at project management, as you will likely need to work with a team of experts and stakeholders to create successful curricula. Often, you may be asked to lead the project and help the various team members work together. Instructional designers also need to be team players with mental agility and flexibility. Projects can be incredibly varied, so IDs need to be able to pivot and adapt to the needs of the deliverable. Along these lines, good IDs are also excellent at active and comprehensive listening.
“The way I interact with stakeholders has a direct impact on the effectiveness of my work” -G. Hanshaw
This may seem like a simple skill, but being able to truly connect with subject matter experts and team members will ensure that projects run smoothly. Similar to listening, IDs need to practice empathy as they approach issues of user experience and accessibility. By thinking like your user, whether that’s students using a course you’re designing or employees going through a training you’re working on, IDs need to be able to think about the content in terms of the user. Is the information clear? Laid out well? Would you be engaged if you were attending this training? These skills will help ensure that your users are successful with the learning experience you have designed.
Curiosity
A good ID is intellectually curious with a love of learning. The field of educational technology is changing so rapidly that IDs are not expected to know every aspect of every program. Rather, IDs need to be willing to get their hands dirty and jump into the process with an open mind and a passion for learning. If this sounds like you, then we would encourage you to take the next step!
Interested in pursuing your MSIDT degree? Contact Dr. George Hanshaw, Assistant Dean of the MSIDT program, with any questions.
Email: msidt@lapu.edu | Call or Text: (626) 268-0304
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