When I tell people that I’m an Instructional Designer, most minds jump immediately to the increase in online learning that’s happened over the last couple of years. While that was a big part of my attraction to the profession, there’s a lot more to ID products than what can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Job Aids

The title “job aid” covers a very broad category of instructional materials. It’s not limited to printed out sheets or laminated instructions, though those are some of the most common examples.

Job aids can also be online, posted as signs, printed on walls or devices, color-coded processes, and more. I like to classify anything that provides instruction of any kind to anyone as a “job aid.” The process of putting this information together is the same – who needs to know it, when do they need to know it, where do they need to know it, what will they be doing when they need to be informed; all these aspects of information transfer need to be considered.

Training Materials

Online and printed training materials, instructor guides, and evaluation tools combine to make a full course for learners. Most people consider “training” to be a bit more detailed an experience than “instruction” – which is sometimes thought of as a more general process.

Regardless of how people think about these materials, they are all an important part of an Instructional Designer’s work product. Putting these materials together is not as simple as just collecting information, putting it in order, and making it available. How the information is written, presented, combined with images and audio, and tested is all an important part of the success of training. Everything is done very intentionally to optimize the learning experience and information retention.

Content is King

Whether you are creating printed, laminated job aid posters or online, self-paced intensive training, the information presented and how it is presented takes precedence. The combination of words, graphics, audio, etc. are meant to get the right message across as quickly as possible. These items are all chosen intentionally and put together thoughtfully – not just written up and slapped on a piece of paper.

If an Instructional Designer doesn’t understand the audience for the materials they are developing, they will not be successful in transferring this information to the learners and getting them to implement this content in their jobs.

Instructional Design is Everywhere

You don’t have to look far to see the result of some instructional design work. Hard copy, online, posted notices, in-person instruction, they are all part of the instructional materials suite.

What you don’t see is the planning, analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation that happens outside of public view. A sign may seem simple or redundant or complicated…however, a lot of consideration and planning went into every intentional word, color and graphic used.

References

Chaaban, S. (n.d.). Instructions on side of airplane image. https://www.freeimages.com/photo/lock-caution-rescue-1-1444879.

Ehlers, M. (n.d.). Fasten Seat Belt image. https://www.pexels.com/photo/safety-guidelines-on-gray-background-7508662/.

FelixMittermeier. (n.d.). Pile of books image. https://pixabay.com/photos/books-book-stack-books-pile-2547179/.

Muresan, M. (n.d.). Dog waste sign. https://www.freeimages.com/photo/stoop-and-scoop-sign-1420255.

Wokandapix. (n.d.). Instruction image. https://pixabay.com/photos/education-instruction-school-learn-614155/.