Technology's Role in Instructional Design

Technology is a cornerstone of modern instructional design, enhancing the creation, delivery, and evaluation of effective learning experiences. Tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Adobe Creative Cloud allow instructional designers to develop engaging e-learning courses, videos, and graphics. Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle and Canvas enable content delivery, progress tracking, and learner management, while mobile-friendly platforms ensure accessibility on any device. Advanced technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) create immersive simulations for hands-on learning, and gamification elements like points and badges boost motivation. Adaptive learning platforms personalize instruction, tailoring content to meet individual learner needs.

Collaboration is also enriched through tools like discussion boards, shared documents, and social media, which foster interaction and group learning. Technology further supports instructional improvement through analytics, which provide data on learner performance, and feedback tools like Google Forms, enabling refinement of materials and strategies. Lastly, technology ensures accessibility through assistive tools like screen readers and subtitles, adhering to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. By integrating these tools and methods, instructional designers create personalized, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse learners.

Technologies in My ID Toolkit

Use of Technologies in Instructional Design   

To create eLearning in a Canvas shell, I utilized various technologies to design, develop, and organize the course effectively. These tools allowed me to create an interactive, engaging, and accessible learning experience that catered to different learning styles.

Adobe tools played a significant role in crafting the course materials. I used Photoshop to design visually appealing graphics and banners, while Illustrator helped me create clear diagrams and icons to simplify complex concepts. For video content, I relied on Adobe Premiere to edit instructional videos and After Effects to add engaging animations that kept students interested in the material. Additionally, I integrated custom styling into the Canvas shell using CSS to create a clean and modern interface, complemented by HTML for structuring content and embedding multimedia resources. Responsive design was achieved using Bootstrap, ensuring the course looked great on both desktop and mobile devices.

Many of these creative platforms helped me create the multiple engagment points for learners to ensure accessibility. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles ensured the content was accessible to all students by offering multiple ways to engage, such as visual aids, hands-on projects, and video recordings.

Reflection

Because I've got a lifetime of experience creating digital media, I started to feel constrained by the state-of-the-art learning managements systems. I realized I need to increase my programming competencies to become a full-stack developer. I'm training myself in SQL, REACT.js, and bootstrap in order to create bespoke eLearning deliveries that don't need institutional infrastructure such as LMS.