EducationISCO 2359
Instructional designer
Instructional designers develop instructional material for training courses using multimedia technology and authoring tools. They aim to create instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skills more efficient, effective, and appealing.
Check yourself in a minute: instructional designer
Rate 5 of the 35 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
use markup languages
translate requirement concepts into content
identify customer requirements
conduct content quality assurance
translate requirements into visual design
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Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.
Must-Have Skills (Advanced)
CommunicationAdvanced
Developing PeopleAdvanced
Supporting Skills
Creative ThinkingIntermediate
AdaptabilityIntermediate
Digital FluencyIntermediate
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (35)
cognitive psychologycognitive psychologyThe human mental processes such as attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking.web programmingweb programmingThe programming paradigm that is based on combining markup (which adds context and structure to text) and other web programming code, such as AJAX, javascript and PHP, in order to carry out appropriat...learning management systemslearning management systemsThe e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.task algorithmisationtask algorithmisationThe techniques to convert unstructured descriptions of a process into step-by-step sequence of actions of a finite number of steps.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.authoring softwareauthoring softwareThe software that provides pre-programmed elements which allow the development of interactive multimedia applications in order to edit, structure and lay out content intended for publication.publishing strategypublishing strategyThe methods, rules, media and tools of publishing content from content management systems in single sources or cross media.standards for web-based e-learningstandards for web-based e-learningThe standards and specifications used for web-based e-learning, such as Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), which define communications between client side content and a host system suppo...instructional design modelsinstructional design modelsThe guidelines or strategies for designing and developing instructions to ensure learners achieve the intended learning outcomes.content development processescontent development processesThe specialised techniques used to design, write, compile, edit and organise digital content, such as text, graphics and videos for publishing purposes.use markup languagesuse markup languagesUtilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text, to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.translate requirement concepts into contenttranslate requirement concepts into contentDevelop digital content by following given requirements and guidelines.identify customer requirementsidentify customer requirementsApply techniques and tools, such as surveys, questionnaires, ICT applications, for eliciting, defining, analysing, documenting and maintaining user requirements from system, service or product.conduct content quality assuranceconduct content quality assuranceCarry out validation of content by reviewing it according to formal and functional quality, usability and applicable standards.translate requirements into visual designtranslate requirements into visual designDevelop visual design from given specifications and requirements, based on the analysis of the scope and target audience. Create a visual representation of ideas such as logos, website graphics, digit...apply tools for content developmentapply tools for content developmentUse specialised content development tools such as content and terminology management systems, translation memory systems, language checker and editors to generate, compile and transform content accord...create SCORM packagescreate SCORM packagesDevelop educational packages for e-learning platforms using the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard.design web-based coursesdesign web-based coursesCreate web-based training and instruction courses using dynamic and static online tools to deliver learning outcomes to the audience of the course. Web tools used here can include streaming video and ...use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.identify training needsidentify training needsAnalyse the training problems and identify the training requirements of an organisation or individuals, so as to provide them with instruction tailored to their prior mastery, profile, means and probl...apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...use scripting programminguse scripting programmingUtilise specialised ICT tools to create computer code that is interpreted by the corresponding run-time environments in order to extend applications and automate common computer operations. Use progra...develop digital contentdevelop digital contentCreate and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.proofread textproofread textRead a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.conduct educational activitiesconduct educational activitiesPlan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.compile contentcompile contentRetrieve, select and organise content from specific sources, according to the requirements of the output media such as printed materials, online applications, platforms, websites and video.manage content metadatamanage content metadataApply content management methods and procedures to define and use metadata concepts, such as the data of creation, in order to describe, organise and archive content such as documents, video and audio...manage content development projectsmanage content development projectsPlan and implement the creation, delivery and management of digital or printed content, develop a system that describes the entire editorial content development and publishing process and use ICT tool...develop digital educational materialsdevelop digital educational materialsCreate resources and instructional materials (e-learning, educational video and audio material, educational prezi) using digital technologies to transfer insight and awareness in order to improve lear...provide written contentprovide written contentCommunicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelli...create script for artistic productioncreate script for artistic productionDevelop a script describing the scenes, actions, equipment, content and realisation means for a play, film or broadcast.structure informationstructure informationOrganise information using systematic methods such as mental models and according to given standards in order to facilitate user information processing and understanding with respect to the specific r...apply ICT terminologyapply ICT terminologyUse specific ICT terms and vocabulary in a systematic and consistent manner for documentation and communication purposes.identify ICT user needsidentify ICT user needsDetermine the needs and requirements of ICT users of a specific system by applying analytical methods, such as target group analysis.provide multimedia contentprovide multimedia contentDevelop multimedia materials such as screen shots, graphics, slide shows, animations and videos to be used as content integrated in a broader informational context.
Optional (21) — show
Absorb (learning management systems)Absorb (learning management systems)The learning system Absorb is an e-learning platform for creating, administrating and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs for secondary school students.WizIQWizIQThe computer program WizIQ is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.EdmodoEdmodoThe education network Edmodo is an e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning training and connecting teachers, students and parents.EngradeEngradeThe computer program Engrade is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.JavaScriptJavaScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.SchoologySchoologyThe computer program Schoology is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.LAMSLAMSThe computer program LAMS is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs. It is developed by the LAMS Foun...Brightspace (learning management systems)Brightspace (learning management systems)The computer program Brightspace is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs. It is developed by the so...LitmosLitmosThe computer program Litmos is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs. It is developed by the softwar...SakaiSakaiThe computer program Sakai is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs. It is developed by the software...augmented realityaugmented realityThe process of adding diverse digital content (such as images, 3D objects, etc) on surfaces that exist in the real world. The user can interact in real-time with the technology by using devices such a...AJAXAJAXThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.MoodleMoodleThe computer program Moodle is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.Canvas (learning management systems)Canvas (learning management systems)The Canvas network is an e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.TaleoTaleoThe computer program Taleo is a e-learning platform for creating, administrating, arranging, reporting and delivering e-learning education courses or training programs.keep up-to-date with training subjectskeep up-to-date with training subjectsGather the latest information on the subjects of the training process in order to be updated with the required know-how.perform ICT troubleshootingperform ICT troubleshootingIdentify problems with servers, desktops, printers, networks, and remote access, and perform actions which solve the problems.develop creative ideasdevelop creative ideasDeveloping new artistic concepts and creative ideas.give live presentationgive live presentationDeliver a speech or talk in which a new product, service, idea, or piece of work is demonstrated and explained to an audience.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...build business relationshipsbuild business relationshipsEstablish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the orga...
Related Occupations
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Frequently asked questions
What does an instructional designer do?
Instructional designers develop instructional material for training courses using multimedia technology and authoring tools. They aim to create instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skills more efficient, effective, and appealing.
What skills does an instructional designer need?
An instructional designer needs 35 essential skills, including cognitive psychology, web programming, learning management systems, task algorithmisation, instructional strategies.
Will AI replace instructional designer jobs?
The AI disruption score for instructional designer is 69/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: proofread text, develop digital content, manage content metadata. Most resilient: cognitive psychology, build business relationships, give live presentation.
AI Replacement Risk
69/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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