What is Instructional designing?

Instructional designing can be defined as a systematic process of applying scientific principles to the planning, design, creation, implementation and evaluation of an effective and efficient instruction material/strategy.

In a layman’s language ‘Instructional Design is the plan of action with a purpose’

Instructional Designing can also be called as
•        Instructional Development
•        Instructional Technology
•        Educational Technology

Evolution of Instructional Designing

Instructional designing is a Military concept that evolved during World War II when the US military was faced with an erroneous task of training large workforce to perform complex technical tasks, from field-stripping a carbine to navigating across the ocean to building a bomber
Tasks were broken down into subtasks, and each subtask was treated as a separate learning goal.
Training was designed to reward correct performance and remediate incorrect performance. Mastery was assumed to be possible for every learner, given enough repetition and feedback. After the war, the success of the wartime training model was replicated in business and industrial training, and to a lesser extent in the primary and secondary classroom. The approach is still common in the U.S. military.

Why Instructional Designing

Instructional designing is a learner centric methodology which aims at maximum knowledge transfer in the least possible time simultaneously balancing conceptualization and retention power of the audience in equal measure. It is done by applying the psychological principles and empirically derived procedures to design materials.

What does an Instructional Designer do?

An Instructional designer is an architect of a learning material who

• Helps learners comprehend new information received
• Adapts existing technology to make learning transparent and functional for the audience
• Works with the subject mater expert to determine the effectiveness of the materials produced
• Visualizes the output in order to lay down an effective framework for the course content
• And finally justifies the purpose of content design.

How is it done?

It is done by

• Drafting a production schedule
• Designing the course
• Structuring the text and checking the details so that it is ready for printing
• Scheduling review sessions with subject matter experts (SME)
• Checking whether the course contents are appropriately and accordingly linked
• Controlling the process of course development
• Arranging for the field testing of the course
• Preparing materials for the final output
• Executing the final output

Can I become an Instructional Designer?

Any body can become an ID because it is all about transferring knowledge in the most the appropriate manner.
Listed below are a few professions

A Teacher
This will help one plan and conduct classes in a systematic manner keeping the Students (audience) in mind and not blindly follow the syllabus structure.

Advantages

• ID will familiarize and assist them in understanding the learning needs of children. Planning  and teaching them will become a less arduous task
• Children can be given the best education by blending technology and the theories  required to understand certain behaviors .Also by imparting knowledge through an appropriate media
• Developing interest of the students
• Increasing their retention power
• Get better results from the class

A Trainer
ID will help a trainer design/construct a curriculum/training in a scientific manner and deliver effective content through technology in diverse ways.

Advantages

• Planning/conducting a training more effectively
• Designing an appropriate training material to meet the requirements of the team/training
• Transfer requisite knowledge at a desired pace
• Increase the learner base by upgrading the training methods to current trend
• Conduct quizzes/surveys/tests to gauge the knowledge transfer and the learning curve

A Project manager
ID will help a project manager plan the deliverable meticulously and make precise decisions

Advantages

• Plan the outline of the project more effectively
• Help get a detailed insight of the project
• Deliver the output through an appropriate media.

Commercial Designers
ID will equip commercial designers to visualize the quality of the output and give them an edge over the others

Advantages

• Have a very clear picture of the output
• Design a product more decisively
• Create a greater impact on the customer by creating visually stimulating products

Journalists
ID will assist journalists to draft the content captured more scientifically by weaving language and ID concepts together to have a more striking impact on the audience

Advantages

• Structure the content more judiciously
• Identify the criticality of an issue and deliver the information accordingly while bearing in mind its impact on the people.

Creative Writers/Editors/Authors
ID will add flair to their writing by familiarizing them with the behavioral aspects of the human mind thus making their writings more objective.

Advantages

• Add the flavour of technology to writing
• Visualize the audience impact while developing content
• Reduce the time spent on testing the quality of the content

Do I need any special skills?

Though a specialized skill set is not required from an Instructional designer, it would be an added advantage if one can have the following

Process Flow abilities -  To think and act through strategic process, of content and instruction, project management

Research and evaluation skills - with a focus on continuous improvement

Learning theory knowledge - To address learning through instruction, consistently thinking about learning as an outcome of all instructional activities

Interpretation skills and flexibility - To assess and adjust to any situation with a focus on learning and performance improvement.

These skills can and will be learned because instructional designing at TechTotal embeds them in you as the course takes you along

The Plus Points

Instructional designing is such a process that it makes an individual

• Pragmatic in his approach
• Prudent in his decisions
• Creative in his ideas
• Analytic in his judgment

 How to become a good instructional designer? -Problem with traditional approach of ID:

The theory of instructional design is different from the practice and vice versa.
A good instructional designer requires a keen knowledge of theory and a practical way to apply it and see it work.
Learning has to come from many sources. If we stick exclusively to theory, we’ll be unprepared to break out of the sterile academic environment and actually put our knowledge into practice.
Learning must include a wide variety of opinions and backgrounds, as well as real-world experience.
The traditional approach of training followed during the past few years has created a gap between theory and practice.
But, unfortunately most of our teachers or institutes never bothered to bridge the gap between the two.

Techtotal bridges the gap:   Download ID Case Study
Techtotal believes that “Bookish knowledge is no match to real experience”

 “Knowing comes best from doing – and by teaching others how to do the same.”
It is observed that People who learn by doing rather than by hearing or reading have a deeper level of knowledge, understand the subject in greater detail and have little or no gap between what they know and what they do.
Techtotal always strives to turn knowledge into action by encouraging original ideas and empowering new practices to blaze new paths.

“Mistakes are an inevitable part of knowing. There must be a high tolerance for new mistakes”
To build a company culture which lauds and encourages action, things will frequently go wrong.
Techtotal always encourages people to actively try new things and has an exceptionally high tolerance for well intentioned failures.

Techtotal sets the pace in eliminating the gap between knowing and doing          
Techtotal’s innovative strategy, tools and training has become symbolic to many other organizations.
Techtotal imparts experiential learning to students supporting them to develop skills to work professionally. Learning through participation in industry based tasks/projects is made a part of the curriculum. Techtotal engages its students in using software tools that are identical to those used by practicing professionals.

This kind of training enables students to apply knowledge to solve workplace-related problems in ethnical ways.
It adapts the training strategy “Let practice be one with theory.”
For example:
Bloom’s taxonomy –Is it practical?
 Bloom’s Taxonomy comprises of six learning levels that are arranged in an ascending order. These levels are:
o Knowledge
o Comprehension
o Application
o Analysis
o Synthesis
o Evaluation
 Just listing the verbs associated with Bloom’s Taxonomy will be of no “practical” help and mere definitions of the six levels will be of scarce use.
Techtotal’s way of approach:
Let us begin with a simple example.
Suppose that you are assigned a task to explain a poem
Let us apply Bloom’s taxonomy to the above given task
1.Knowledge (Remembering previously learned material)
Recite a poem
2.Comprehension (Grasping the meaning of material)
Explain what a poem means.
3.Application (Using information in concrete situations)
Identify examples of metaphors in a poem
4. Analysis (Breaking down material into parts)
Given a poem, identify the specific poetic strategies employed in it.
5. Synthesis (Putting parts together into a whole)
Write an essay or a poem
6. Evaluation (Judging the value of a product for a given purpose, using definite criteria)
Analyze your own or a peer's essay in terms of the principles of composition discussed

The winning mantra for a successful Instructional Designer is “Passion to learn and passion to help someone else to learn”

TechTotal - An overview

Why Tech Total

• This is the only place where theory is translated into practicals. It adapts the training strategy “Let practice be one with theory

• TechTotal imparts experiential learning to students supporting them by developing skills to work professionally. Learning through participation in industry based tasks/projects is made a part of the curriculum

• It engages its students in using software tools that are identical to those used by practicing professionals. This kind of training enables students to apply knowledge to solve workplace-related problems in ethnical ways

• TechTotal always strives to turn knowledge into action by encouraging original ideas and empowering new practices to blaze new paths. 

• It encourages people to actively try new things and has an exceptionally high tolerance for well intentioned failures.

• TechTotal sets the pace in eliminating the gap between knowing and doing

• Assists its students with placement opportunities

Learning at TechTotal

TechTotal is a learner oriented training hub where the learners get ample opportunities to become Instructional Designers.

It offers flexibility of time

Course timings available

10.00 – 12.00 AM
2.00 - 4.00 PM
4.00 - 6.00 PM
7.30 – 9.30 PM

Weekend training - for those with a busy working schedule

Online training - for whom travel and time may be a constraint

Demo sessions – for those not sure about the concept of ID
The demo includes

• What is Instructional Designing?
• Instructional System Design
• Instructional Designing Models and Theories
• E Learning
• Typical Job roles and skills
• What Kind of Salary Can I Expect?
• Future aspects

The Training Team – A brief snap shot

• The trainers at Tech total are a group of practicing Instructional designers who also carry with them a huge repository of prior experience.
• The best of knowledge, technical expertise, and industry best practices are brought to the table
• Each concept is taught by a different trainer thereby helping the learners effectively grasp the conceptual and practical aspects of theory/model/tools.  

 They assist, guide and mentor the learners by

• Crafting training sessions to suit specific requirements of the learners
• Bringing Industry best practices to benefit the students from current trends in the market
• Encouraging trainees to execute live projects to benefit their organizations

This in turn increases and improves the trainees

• Learners Approach
• Visualizing Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Training Skills
• Writing Skills

They go the extra mile to extend their support to the learners beyond their tenure at the institute.

The Students of TechTotal – An insight

A Student of tech total will gain profound mastery in

Creating effective

• Computer based trainings (CBT) – to address training/knowledge transfer issues
• Web Based Trainings (WBT) – to infuse dynamism in knowledge transfer

Building

• Structured Storyboards – to meticulously plan content
• Enhanced Simulations – to increase learnability
• Convincing Prototypes – to portray intended information accurately

To set foot in the ID industry with new /renewed knowledge along with technical proficiency

 TechTotal eventually prepares an individual to deliver new knowledge with a view to build skills and change attitudes while transforming fragile thoughts into impressionable ideas

Market Trends

The scope of Instructional design is so vast that it permeates all areas that pertain to the transfer of knowledge to create and enhance learning. In the past, the role of an instructional designer was restricted to designing curriculum for instructional books or manuals. But as technology advanced, the scope of ID services has expanded tremendously.

Currently the ID methodology and technology are being used in the

• IT sector
• eLearning Sector
• Manufacturing sector
• Phrama sector
• Educational institutions and universities and many more

It is one of the fastest growing fields. Presently the demand for outsourcing instructional designing work is so immense that there will be a great demand for instructional designers in near future so much so that one can even work as a freelancer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How can I justify my training at TechTotal?
A Our students testimonials and client feedback speaks for it

Q2 How different is ID at Tech Total from other institutions
A If you are speaking about ID training in Hyderabad there is none. Tech Total imparts theoretical knowledge blended with practicals and Industry best practices. This training methodology is offered only at Tech Total and not any where in India

Q3 I’m already working as an ID. Will training at Tech Total be a value adds? How will training at Tech Total help me?
A  TechTotal will enhance your skill set further by familiarizing /training you on the latest ID tools used in the industry along with strengthening the existing ID concepts. If you are already aware of the tools then alternate current approaches of the tool will be taught. This will boost your application skills of ID concepts, theories and tools to make an impact by improving the prevailing standards of your organization

Q4 After completing the course will get a good ID job/Does Tech total provide placement assistance
A   Tech total provides placement assistance. However you are at your will to look for a job independently

Q5 I’m a graduate .Can I apply for an ID course?
A  For graduates fresh out of college Tech total offers a 45 day program along with industry exposure where students work on live projects

Q6 How do I know that the price I’m paying for the course is worth it?
A  At TechTotal the learner has the flexibility and the opportunity in terms of
Training timing - 4 different slots are available
Mode of training – Class room/online/weekend
Practicals – ample opportunities given to practice the tools and blend both theory and practicals
Industry Best Practices – Familiarized with the current market trends
Trainers – Support extended throughout and after a students stint at TechTotal
Placement Assistance – Assists its students to find a suitable job based on their interest and requirement

Q7 Do I need specific skills to join the course
A  A graduate in any discipline with basic knowledge of computers is sufficient. The rest will be taken care by Tech total because ID is all about transferring knowledge effectively.

Q8 I’m an English teacher how ID will help me
A  ID will help you plan and conduct classes in a systematic manner keeping the Students (audience) in mind and not blindly follow the syllabus structure. It will also help you in developing interest of the students, increasing their retention power and making the class more interactive and interesting

Q9 I’m a process trainer/voice and accent trainer/soft skills trainer/behavioral skills /corporate trainer. How will ID help me
A  ID will help you design/construct a curriculum/training in a scientific manner by conducting an audience analysis and thereby assisting you in

• Planning/conducting a training more effectively
• Designing an appropriate training material to meet the requirements of the team/training
• Transfer requisite knowledge at a desired pace
• Conduct quizzes/surveys/tests to gauge the knowledge transfer and the learning curve

Q10   I’m a manager and I’m interested in ID. How will I benefit from ID?
A  ID will help you become pragmatic, prudent and analytic in your approach, decisions and judgments

Q11 Can I become a free lancer?
Free lancing options are available in the market. TechTotal will equip you with the right skills and also assist you with contracts.

Q13 Is this course as good as a degree?

A Yes it is .It covers all aspects of theory and practicals

For Queries and course syllabus                                                             Download ID Case Study
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