Frequently Asked Questions About Instructional Design Careers

Here are the most common questions our readers have about instructional design, Action Mapping, scenario-based training, and other topics.

Here are the most common questions our readers have about instructional design, Action Mapping, scenario-based training, and other topics:

Instructional Design

What does an instructional designer do?

Instructional designers are tasked with developing and designing learning resources and experiences.

In a nutshell, their job involves:

  • collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs) to define the learning objectives and content,
  • designing the training materials, courses, and curriculums,
  • analyzing performance and feedback to refine and improve the content.

Here’s an in-depth article on everything the job involves.

What is the difference between instructional design and training and development?

Instructional design (ID) is primarily focused on developing the learning content and structuring the course and curriculum.

In contrast, a training and development role focuses on delivering, guiding, and managing the learning experience.

How do I get started in instructional design with no experience?

Start by educating yourself in ID by taking online courses on the subject. You should also familiarize yourself with ID software and tools.

You can take a look at this list of the best ID books to learn from notable experts.

Building a portfolio comes next. Create small learning experiences such as tutorials or online courses and try reaching out to non-profits and/or community projects to see if you can volunteer your instructional design services.

How can I become an instructional designer?

There are a lot of resources on this website that cover this topic. You can find an in-depth answer here.

Do I need a degree to become an instructional designer?

No, you don’t require a degree to become an instructional designer. In most cases, your portfolio and experience are what will make you stand out to potential employers.

However, instructional design master’s degrees are available and will help you gain real-world practice and skills. We have a list of all the top master’s degrees that you can check out.

Can I become certified in instructional design?

Yes, there are several reputable courses that you can take to build your credibility as an ID. We have them listed here, including Cathy Moore’s Partner from the Start and Scenario Design courses.

Popular certified courses include the Devlin Peck Instructional Design Bootcamp, and the Harvard University Introduction to Instructional Design. Both are fully online courses and can be completed remotely.

What should an instructional design portfolio include?

A solid ID portfolio should include at least three completed ID projects that showcase your design approach. Each project should contain storyboards, a design document, and a virtual instructor-led training package.

Your portfolio should also demonstrate your ability to design for different audiences and use various tools effectively.

For more detail, we have a full article on this subject.

What industries hire instructional designers?

Really, any industry can hire an instructional designer but the most common ones are:

  • Healthcare
  • Technology and software
  • Governments and non-profits
  • Educational institutions
  • Corporate enterprises

What software platforms should I learn for instructional design?

Top e-learning authoring platforms include Adobe Captivate, Articulate360, iSpring Suite, and Brainshark.

You should also familiarize yourself with video and editing tools, learning management systems, and learning experience platforms.

There are actually hundreds of different software apps that can be used for ID. Our recommendation is to research the ones most commonly used in your industry niche and start there.

How much do instructional designers earn?

The range for an instructional designer role varies from $71k to $106k, depending on experience and skill set. The overall US average is $86,796.

If you specialize in a specific area of ID, the salary ranges differ. We’ve outlined these in this article.

Can I freelance as an instructional designer?

Of course! Many instructional designers operate on a freelance basis, and the demand for them is growing.

Going freelance allows you to pick which clients you want to work with and set your desired hourly rate. You also have the freedom to work remotely and with multiple clients simultaneously.

Is there a high demand for instructional designers?

Yes, there is a healthy demand worldwide for instructional designers.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the industry will continue to grow between 2023 and 2033 with over 35,000 employed in this role. It also expects there to be around 2,300 job openings available each year.

AI is the biggest trend in instructional design right now, with a focus on how it can create personalized learning paths and experiences.

Gamification and microlearning are still growing trends, as are learner-generated content and virtual and augmented reality.

Here’s a full rundown of these trends and what you can expect from them.

How can I stay updated with new instructional design practices?

You should join professional communities, attend webinars, and follow industry leaders on LinkedIn. Reading blogs (like this one!), engaging in online forums, and regularly learning new software tools will also help keep your knowledge up-to-date.

Action Mapping

What is Cathy Moore’s Action Mapping?

Action Mapping is a process created by Cathy Moore that helps instructional designers analyze a performance problem and design solutions that work.

It focuses on improving performance by directly linking learning activities to real-world tasks. The result is an engaging, realistic experience that helps drive meaningful behavior changes.

What are the main steps in the Action Mapping process?

The four steps in Action Mapping are:

  1. Define the goal.
  2. List observable actions that reach the goal.
  3. Identify the barriers.
  4. Determine what changes will help.

Here’s a full outline of the process.

What are the top benefits of using Action Mapping?

The key advantage of Action Mapping is that it’s an intuitive (and visual) process that stakeholders can quickly understand.

It removes the “fluff” and makes learning more impactful through rich scenarios, improving the experience for both learners and the organization.

What types of projects is Action Mapping best suited for?

Action Mapping is ideal for performance-based projects, such as corporate training, compliance programs, and sales enablement. It was not designed for use in academia.

You can use this quick questionnaire to find out if it’s suitable for your needs.

Is Action Mapping only for e-learning, or can it be used for other types of training?

Although Action Mapping is most commonly used in e-learning, it is designed specifically to support all types of learning experiences, whether in-person or otherwise.

Is there specific software needed to implement Action Mapping?

There is no specific software required for Action Mapping. However, it can be made more efficient by using visual mapping tools like Lucidchart or Miro.

Does Cathy Moore provide templates for Action Mapping?

Cathy Moore’s toolkit Partner From the Start contains everything you need to perform Action Mapping effectively.

It includes conversational scripts, 50 mini-challenges, worksheet templates, and other practical resources.

Are there books or courses on Action Mapping?

Cathy Moore’s book Map It teaches you the entire Action Mapping process. You can also find many resources on the subject throughout this website.

Is Action Mapping a good alternative to other models such as ADDIE?

Yes, Action Mapping can be a valuable alternative or complement to models like ADDIE. However, it’s not designed to replace other models entirely.

It’s important to analyze the various ID models to determine the best approach for your requirements.

Can Action Mapping reduce training development time and costs?

For sure. Action Mapping offers a streamlined approach that focuses on learner action rather than traditional content-heavy training design, making it faster and more targeted.

By eliminating unnecessary content and focusing on essential activities, the process can significantly reduce development time and costs.

Scenario-based training

What is scenario-based training?

Scenario-based training places learners in realistic situations where they must make decisions and experience the consequences. The key is that scenarios take place in a safe environment, allowing learners to practice without any real-world risk.

To get into the details of the subject, you can start here.

Why are scenarios so effective?

Because scenarios mimic real-world situations and challenges, they result in a more memorable and relevant learning experience.

They are designed to promote critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving, all of which are essential skills in any profession.

Cathy Moore has compiled the relevant research on why scenarios work so well, which you can read on this page.

Can scenario-based training be used for all industries and businesses?

Absolutely. Scenario-based training works for any industry that relies on experiential learning and decision-making.

Does scenario-based training work for all learning environments?

Scenarios can be incorporated into e-learning modules, in-person training, and on-the-job training. It’s a flexible learning tool that can be applied just about anywhere.

How can I learn how to build scenarios for training?

To start, look at the 12 excellent examples of scenarios that Cathy Moore has provided. Then, you can read the various blog articles on the subject to get practical tips and advice on the subject.

Cathy Moore has also developed a full Scenario Toolkit, which provides a full how-to guide, including all the resources and templates you’ll need to get started.

Does Cathy Moore provide tools for scenario building?

Besides investing in the Scenario Toolkit and reading the resources referenced above, you can also sign up to receive a free mini-scenario toolkit that covers the key challenges faced when designing scenarios.

What software should I use to build scenarios?

Popular tools for scenario building include Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and BranchTrack for e-learning.

For branching scenarios and interactive storytelling, tools like Twine, Vyond, and Camtasia are also useful.

Other

Where can I get advice about tools, career, or business?

First, researching related groups on LinkedIn or Facebook is always a great idea. There, you’ll get quick responses and answers from more than one perspective.

Here are some other resources you might consider. These aren’t endorsements. They’re just suggestions of places you could look:

Career & business advice

How to become an instructional designer page on this blog with links to more info.

Articulate Elearning Heroes career tips tag.

Need to learn about the market?

  • The Elearning Guild (US) publishes research about elearning use and needs
  • Josh Bersin (US) publishes research about corporate training needs
  • Kineo (UK) publishes reports and includes market updates in their blog
  • Towards Maturity (UK) provides research about the needs of UK companies
  • ISA, a US organization, helps learning providers build their businesses

Not earning enough? Read Overcoming Underearning by Barbara Stanny.

Working too hard or for the wrong clients? Read Built to Sell by John Warrillow, even if you don’t plan to sell your business.

Workshops & conferences
E-learning design or tools; LMS selection
What books do you recommend?

See this list of recommended books about L&D strategy and training design. Additionally, here are 5 best instructional design books you should read this year.

What blogs do you recommend?

Here are some of the bloggers you can follow, starting with ones you might not be familiar with already. All write about L&D strategy or instructional design except where noted:

How did Cathy Moore get started? How did she develop action mapping?

Here’s an in-depth answer to this question as told by Cathy.