As an instructional designer (ID), you’ll know all too well that what we learn doesn’t always reflect real-life circumstances. And the world of training and development is no exception to that. You can start your ID journey equipped with all the right knowledge, but you’re still going to be thrown a bunch of curveballs. In fact, the mistakes I cover in this article are ones that even experienced IDs slip up on every now and then. The key to optimizing your performance is to recognize them early on so you can adjust your course of action before you’re thrown off track.
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8 Ways to Keep an Audience Engaged During Live Video Training
Traditional training videos don’t have the best reputation. They have a tendency to be monotonous and don’t really provide any great value. If you’ve ever worked in an office and sat through a health and safety video, you’ll understand what I mean!
How Social Learning Theory Aids Instructional Design
Ultimately, we are social creatures, and it’s in our nature to interact with others. From gossiping by the water cooler to taking part in team sports, we engage, observe, and imitate behaviors without really realizing it. This natural inclination to learn through social interactions is the core of social learning theory and is the reason why it plays such an important role in instructional design.
The Role of a Skills Matrix in Instructional Design (and How to Create One)
Performance reviews and KPIs are great for assessing individual learning needs, but how do you consolidate all that information into a structured (and actionable) plan for training? That’s not the only problem. Another one is: how do you uncover which skills each employee brings to the table – and pinpoint areas for improvement – in a way that aligns with organizational goals?
Why Instructional Designers Should Allow Learners to Fail
Everyone wants to succeed. It’s only natural. In fact, our brains crave success because it gives us the feel-good hit of dopamine. That sense of pleasure and satisfaction we get from achieving a goal is not to be underestimated. In contrast, failure suppresses dopamine and increases feelings of disappointment and frustration.
Why Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) Will Replace LMS
The LMS has long reigned supreme as an essential tool for organizational training. But, as technology kept evolving, its limitations had been revealed. This has opened the door wide for a shinier, faster, better, and more capable piece of tech: The LXP.
4 Key Principles for Creating Engaging Multimedia Content for Learning
It’s easy to think that any type of multimedia experience is engaging. And while that’s somewhat true, does the content actually enhance learning, or is it simply serving as a form of entertainment? Creating multimedia content requires careful consideration. Its job is to support learning to make it more effective and memorable.
How to Conduct a Training Needs Analysis (Free Template + Examples)
A training needs analysis (TNA) is an essential component of instructional design because, when done correctly, it addresses these issues head-on. Without a TNA, your training initiative becomes a shot in the dark instead of what it should be: a powerful strategy that delivers results.
Microlearning in Instructional Design: Strategies for Short, Impactful Training
We engage in microlearning every day without even realizing it. You’re even doing it right now – just by reading this article. So, how can you implement this powerful learning tool in your training design? Let’s explore the various methods and strategies available.
The Role of Gamification in Instructional Design
Games have been around for centuries. From Ancient Egyptian board games to modern online immersive experiences, they all share some important characteristics. Let’s dig deeper to see how gamification is reshaping instructional design.
25 Instructional Design Job Interview Questions and Answers (Plus a Checklist)
Demand remains strong for instructional designers, especially in the education, healthcare, banking, and consulting services industries. That’s good news if you’re new to the field or ready to take the next step in your career.
5 Common Action Mapping Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Over 90% of employees say they won’t quit their jobs if they get learning and development opportunities. And 92% of them believe workplace training positively influences their job engagement.
10 Best Instructional Design Master’s Degree Programs in 2026
Instructional design is a growing industry. And as competition for top roles increases, obtaining a professional qualification can help set you apart in a sea of candidates. In this guide, I round up ten of the best instructional design master’s degree programs for 2025. They’re perfect for those looking to kickstart their career in the field or for seasoned pros interested in moving to the next level.
Is Cognitive Overload Ruining Your Employee Training?
We’ve all heard of the term “information overload,” but few of us realize the impact that overwhelming learners with knowledge can have on their training outcomes. A recent study shows that when cognitive overload increases, so does anxiety and avoidance behavior.
5 Key Elearning Trends for 2025 and Beyond
We break down the elearning trends that are dominating 2024 and influencing how we approach online instruction. In just under seven minutes, you’ll get clued in on the big elearning trends that will shape online education in 2024 and beyond.
7 Characteristics of Adult Learners and How to Optimize Learning Outcomes
Research says that the human brain fully develops when we’re around 25 years old, meaning that after this age, our ability to learn new information and develop new skills diminishes. So what does that mean for adult learners? Is learning after 25 a lost cause?
