A brief description of one aspect of an Instructional designer's job.

1. INSTRUCTIONAL
DESIGNER
WHAT DO I DO?
Katherine E. Ostdiek  katherine-
wetzel@uiowa.edu

2. WHAT DO I DO?
 “Assists in the development of interactive
learning objects and supplemental materials
that contribute to attainment of learning
objectives.”

3. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
 I work with faculty and staff to make better
lessons for their classrooms
 YOU have the information – I help you share it
as clearly as possible

4. ATTAINING LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
 Each course has goals
 The materials we create together will be
designed with those goals in mind
 We we continuous measure how well these
materials support these goals

5. EXAMPLE
 Goals for ENGL:1200:Interpretation of Literature
 Increase literary appreciation
 Increase knowledge of literature and literary studies
 Improve reading comprehension
 Improve literary analysis skills
 Improve research skills
 Improve composition skills
 How can we measure these things?
 That varies, but for this example:
 Assess knowledge and skills before and after course
 Assess how well new information is retained via quizzes and
exams
 Evaluate skills through informal and formal essays and
research papers

6. We start with goals
You provide the information
I provide the design
We make learning more interesting and
available to people with different learning styles
and needs

7. HOW?
 Large amounts of information can be hard to
digest
 We will find ways that students can interact
with the material they are learning

8. HOW?
 We call these resources “interactive learning
objects.” They allow students to…
 Practice using new skills without the fear of failing
 Demonstrate their knowledge
 Have a little fun 
 These could be games, quizzes, simulations…
just to name a few

9. Let’s Review
 Interactive learning objects allow students to…
 Practice using new *skills* without the fear of
*failing*
 Demonstrate their *knowledge*
 Have a little *fun* 
 Way to go!

10. WHAT ABOUT “SUPPLEMENTAL
MATERIAL”?
 I can help create
 Documents that describe how to do an
assignment
 Rubrics that clarify how it will be graded or
assessed
 “How to” guides for skills or techniques that
students can reference
 And many other materials to support learners
 Once again…

11. ONCE AGAIN,
You provide the material –
I provide the design
We make learning more interesting and
available to people with different learning styles
and needs

12. ASK ME: KATIE
OSTDIEK