Instructional Design

December 9, 2014

Your Ticket to Great Instructional Design

Instructional design is certainly not an easy business. Having been in the learning, training and development industry for more than 27 years, I can assertively say so. Instructional designers shoulder the important responsibility of sugar-coating the critical learning content in such a manner that training becomes not just a mandatory activity, but something that employees love. Now how do you do that? How can you possibly turn something boring into something that employees love? The answer to that is what differentiates a good instructional design from a poor one.

by Harikumar

December 6, 2014

Instructional Design Models and Theories: Elaboration Theory

The Elaboration Theory was introduced by Charles Reigeluth, an American educational theorist in 1979. The Elaboration Theory supports that the content organization should be presented in increasing order of difficulty.

by Christopher Pappas

November 26, 2014

Sociocultural Theory: Vygotsky's Perspective On Learning

Leo Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, introduced the Sociocultural Learning Theory. His quote that “through others we become ourselves” could be the quintessence of the Sociocultural Learning Theory, which supports that learning is a social process.

by Christopher Pappas

November 16, 2014

Instructional Design Models And Theories: The Generative Learning Theory

The Generative Learning Theory was introduced in 1974 by Merlin C. Wittrock, an American educational psychologist. The Generative Learning Theory holds that learners can actively integrate new ideas into their memory to enhance their educational experience. Many insights from this theory are supported by findings in the educational psychology review literature. These principles form the base of generative learning strategies used in modern eLearning designs. In essence, it involves linking new ideas with old to gain a better understanding of the presented concepts.

by Christopher Pappas

November 6, 2014

Instructional Design Models And Theories: Dual Coding Theory

The Dual Coding Theory was introduced by Emeritus Professor of Psychology Allan Paivio in 1971. It emerged from Paivio’s research into how the brain processes information, particularly the way humans use both verbal and visual channels to encode, store, and retrieve knowledge. Over the decades, Dual Coding Theory has greatly influenced educational psychology and Instructional Design.

by Christopher Pappas

October 30, 2014

Instructional Design Models and Theories: Individualized Instruction Model

The Keller Plan, which is often referred to as “The Personalized System of Instruction”, was developed in the middle sixties by Fred Keller, J. Gilmour Sherman, and a number of other researchers and educational theorists, and relies upon the Individualized Instruction Model.

by Christopher Pappas

October 23, 2014

Instructional Design Models And Theories: Subsumption Theory

The Subsumption Learning Theory was developed in 1963 by the American psychologist David Ausubel. The theory focuses on how individuals acquire and learn large chunks of information through visual means or text materials.

by Christopher Pappas

October 17, 2014

Instructional Design Models and Theories: Problem-Based Learning

Problem-based Learning (PBL) was introduced by Howard Burrows, an American physician and medical educator, in the late ’60s within the framework of the medical program at McMaster University in Canada.

by Christopher Pappas

October 9, 2014

Motivate Your Learners! The Self-Determination Theory for e-Learning

Motivation—it’s something e-Learning professionals are always talking about. How do I motivate my learners? Why aren’t my employees motivated? What can I add to my e-Learning course to motivate learners to finish (and actually take away valuable knowledge)?

by Christie Wroten

October 8, 2014

Instructional Design Models And Theories: The Discovery Learning Model

In 1961, Jerome Bruner, an American psychologist, introduced the Discovery Learning Model. Let's explore it together.

by Christopher Pappas

September 1, 2014

How To Choose The Right Instructional Design PhD Program

If you're interested in Instructional Design at the University level, or if you want to expand your instructional design knowledge base even further, then you may want to consider an instructional design PhD program. These programs are ideally suited for those who have prior experience in the educational sector and want to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Instructional Design technologies, theories, and models. In this guide I'll highlight some Universities that you may want to consider, but first I'll share some tips that will help you choose the right instructional design PhD program for you.

by Christopher Pappas

August 26, 2014

How to Be a Successful Freelance Virtual Instructional Designer: Part 2

Whether this is your first rodeo as a freelance virtual instructional designer, or you’ve been in the industry for a while, we’ve got some valuable tips on how to master your craft. In part 2 of this series, SweetRush’s instructional design team lead Catherine Davis shares seven best practices for how to conduct yourself once you’ve landed a project.

by Catherine Davis