ID Basics: The Baseline Skills
My cohort recently posted an interesting question:
What are three baseline skills all Instructional Designers should have?
I thought this was extremly interesting because in the last year the program has not discussed the skills needed to be an ID. So much is about theory and learning strategies. Since being an ID since June, I would prefer to focus on the hard and fast skills needed to perform the job. This is the first time this topic is in focus and the first time any discussion is occurring around it.
I shared:
Effective Communicator (aka a killer Consultant)
The nitty gritty of what an ID does is communicate ideas-with words and visuals. To discover those ideas, the ID needs to ask the client the right questions. Intuitively, the designer needs to pull back the curtain and simultaneously listen and guide the client to a solution. As a consultant, asking the right questions will lead to that solution.
Design
It is essential an ID have several design tools in their tool box. They must have an advance knowledge of an authoring tool (Captivate, Storyline, Lectora, etc.). I believe an ID is essentially a graphic designer creating learning content. To be competent, an ID must have a command of Adobe Creative Suite- Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, PremierePro. I stand by each of these because it allows an ID to bring their ideas to life…with no need for a graphic designer-because they are the designer.
Live Learning Theory
Lastly, a command of learning theory- especially knowing the difference between androgyny and pedagogy. I would recommend an ID have seen learning theory in action, either as a facilitator or trainer, as a minimum. It gives an ID a holistic perspective on how people learn and the different methods of training (ILT, eLearning and blended).
It was especially interesting to see the different responses from other members in the cohort. A majority are not working IDs. Feel free to check out the thread.
Your turn: How would you answer the question, "What are three baseline skills all Instructional Designers should have?"
-ET
