Virtual Classroom Instructional Designers - What Makes Them Great?

Download the Infographic for an “At-A-Glance” Checklist of the Instructional Designer Role

Virtual Instructional Designers manage the development and design of learning content for blended and virtual classroom-based instruction. Without the designer there would be no training programs to deliver. They connect client needs to solutions through analysis and execution of an effective design process.

Designers evaluate objectives to determine if they work for the virtual classroom. They make the material come alive by adding context to the content through teachable stories and engaging activities.  Read on - or get the big picture in our infographic Good To Great Instructional Designers: A Checklist

What Makes an Instructional Designer Great?

An exceptional Virtual Classroom Instructional Designer possesses a number of key qualities:

• Analytical Skills: They are adept at analyzing client needs and determining the most effective learning solutions to meet those needs. In today’s hybrid and virtual world, they’ve got a lot of options to analyze.
• Creative Thinking: They have the ability to transform dry content into engaging and teachable stories, making the learning experience more interesting. This means more than using slides, video, and chat. Designs ensure virtual learning is active and sustainable. Active learning and inquire based learning techniques need to be a core part of the process.
• Understanding of Virtual Learning Environment: They have a solid grasp on the virtual classroom and understand the needs of their company's mix of remote and onsite workers. They navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of today's learning environment, which includes blended, classroom, and virtual learning options.
• Understanding Learner Engagement: They know that keeping students engaged is paramount. Designs include environmental, emotional, and intellectual engagement.

A top Virtual Classroom Instructional Designer effectively uses analysis, creativity, and understanding of virtual learning to create engaging and useful learning experiences.

The Job Description

In an earlier post, we discussed Six Key Competencies to Design for Virtual and Hybrid Learning Environments. Let's dig a big deeper into what a designer really does.

The Virtual Classroom Instructional Designer has three primary jobs:

1. Owning the project.
2. Preparing for design and development.
3. Designing and executing the design.

Ownership means the instructional designer:

• Plans and monitors training projects including resource allocations, budget, and schedule
• Consults clients, project managers, facilitators, and producers on the effective use of virtual classroom technologies
• Manages pilot programs for new and revised courses
• Advocates for the client to ensure designs meet identified goals
• Works with clients, project managers, facilitators, and producers to ensure the design is executed correctly.
• Meets deadlines with clients and stakeholders

Preparation means the instructional designer:

• Completes a needs assessment to clearly define a learning solution based on client needs
• Analyzes client needs to isolate the desired behavioral change that includes the tasks, sub-tasks, processes, and organizational relationships related to that change
• Develops a target audience profile
• Utilizes a Subject Matter Expert where necessary to master content of course and individual lessons
• Orients and upskills on selected virtual platform to understand capabilities and available technology to support learning outcomes

Execution means the instructional designer:

• Applies adult learning theories to maximize knowledge transfer based on various learning preferences
• Identifies prerequisite knowledge required of participants
• Develops criterion-referenced, performance-based learning objectives for each lesson
• Maximizes interaction, collaboration, and engagement of learners
• Leverages tools and features of the virtual platform to support engagement and objectives
• Blends virtual and self-directed activities Integrates the most appropriate learning platforms to meet instructional goals
• Develops of a cohesive set of learning materials and resources for facilitators, producers, and learners
• Leverages the producer role in a technical and/or instructional capacity when appropriate
• Designs an evaluation strategy tied to key business indicators and measurements
• Permits for regular course review, evaluation, and revision to ensure alignment with current goals, organizational needs, and accreditation standards

Want to Go from Good To Great?

The Good To Great Instructional Designers: A Checklist infographic is just a start. Certify as a Virtual Classroom Designer as the next step in your professional development.

Earn your Virtual Classroom Design Certification. Sign up for InSync's Virtual Classroom Design Mastery certificate program. Become an expert in fostering engagement and creating dynamic virtual learning experiences. Take the next step in shaping impactful virtual classrooms.