Instructional Designer Description
A career as an instructional designer is available as a result of the prevalent use of computer software as teaching devices. Working with subject experts, instructional designers create software used in many different fields to teach employees about areas of their jobs or to teach students a particular course of study.
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Function
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Instructional designers create programs for courses using technology as their delivery system. They also collaborate with educators on how to use technology in the classroom that meets the needs of the teacher and students while also remaining true to the material being covered. Student-led courses are created by instructional designers for those who are looking to take courses at their own pace. In addition to developing course software, instructional designers produce training manuals that accompany software.
Work Environment
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Instructional designers often work long hours that can include nights and weekends as they work to meet project deadlines in a timely fashion. Travel may be required of instructional designers as they work with faculty, staff and other experts to design instructional software programs. Working on a team as well as working independently are two qualities of successful instructional designers, who usually work in an office setting.
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Employment
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Instructional designers are employed by companies that produce and develop software for educational, governmental and professional use. Some instructional designers find employment in the academic sector as they create instructional software for colleges and universities. Instructional designers who desire to work on their own may do so as freelance instructional design contractors.
Education
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Those seeking a career as an instructional designer should complete a bachelor’s degree in an area related to instructional design, such as educational technology or computer information systems. Courses that prepare one to teach and provide a broad liberal arts program are also beneficial to potential instructional designers.
Advancement
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Instructional designers who have several years of experience in their field may find advancement through a departmental management position. Others may choose to pursue an administrative level position within their company or school system. Instructional designers gifted in business may choose to be their own boss and open a consultancy firm in the area of instructional design.
Salary and Career Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual salary for instructional designers in 2009 was $58,780. According to the agency, the career outlook was expected to be excellent for instructional designers as job growth was expected to be much faster than average through 2018. Instructional designers who have experience in math and reading curriculum design are most likely to find employment as an instructional designer, as found by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit computer image by Orlando Florin Rosu from Fotolia.com
