3 Awesome Online Resources for Instructional Designers
The role of an Instructional Designers evolves almost as fast as new technology arrives, and much of learning media has moved from the classroom to interactive surfaces like smartphones and IPads. In order to create effective learning experiences we must stay informed about new technologies and best practices as well as share information with colleagues about what works and what doesn’t. A great way to accomplish this is by joining and participating in Instructional Design Communities on the web. Here is a list of 3 sites that have pertinent in-depth information for Instructional Designers.
ELearning Industry – http://elearningindustry.com/
This site is an awesome resource for the Instructional Designer. It is packed with articles, books, videos, and webinars about the field of Instructional Design, including the latest trends in technology and delivery methods. The site can be a bit overwhelming because of the sheer amount of information available. However, they do a good job at dividing the subjects into: What’s hot now, ELearning design and development, gamification, ELearning authoring tools, and leaning management systems. Take the time to explore the site and I’m sure you will find some very useful resources from top Instructional Design professionals.
Instructional Design – http://www.instructionaldesign.org/index.html
This site provides information about instructional design principles and how they relate to teaching and learning. The authors focus on instructional design models, best practices and innovative teaching methods. They also provide access to resources such as usability testing, instructional design conferences, jobs and much more. In exploring this site you will find very useful information for the practicing Instructional Designer.
The eLearning Guild – http://www.elearningguild.com/
The eLearning Guild is as a member-driven organization that provides a Learning Exchange peer-driven platform with several levels of membership. This site boasts at being the most trusted source of information, networking, and community for eLearning professionals. Here you can find a plethora of resources such as eBooks, white papers, research reports, conferences, and training courses. The Guild also produces the Learning Solutions Magazine geared toward Instructional Design professionals. Exploring this site and even joining the Guild can provide Instructional Designers with a good continuing education environment as well as a ways to share information with colleagues.
In order to create meaningful and exceptional learning experiences, Instructional Designers must also keep learning!