Instructional Systems Design (ISD) - Specifying Instructional Strategies

Job Aids

The following job aids are available for help in selecting instructional strategies. Before using the job aids be sure to read the entire section.

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Considerations in Choosing Instructional Strategies - Use this job aid in selecting instructional strategies.

Bloom's Taxonomy - Use this job aid to help select the proper level of learning and the appropriate verbs to use in writing performance objectives. 

Application of Adult Learning Theory - Use this job aid to help design training in ways that adults prefer to learn.

The Methods and Media of Instruction - Use this job aid to help select instruction methods.

Classroom Structures Which Encourage Student Participation (Courtesy of Cornell University, Office of Instructional Support) - Use this job aid to select ways to involve students.

Common Causes of Student Non-involvement (Courtesy of Cornell University, Office of Instructional Support) - Use this job aid to analyze why students appear not to be involved in classroom learning.

Training Costs - Use this job aid as a general guide to the cost of training.

Technology Based Instruction - Use this guide to help decide if e-Learning is an option.

Blended Learning - Use this guide from Click2Learn to help decide on a blended approach to delivering training.

Overview

An instructional strategy is a plan for systematically exposing learners to experiences that will help them acquire knowledge, intellectual skills, motor skills or new attitudes. Instructional strategies should grow out of the analyses that have been conducted thus far and the established performance objectives.

Strategies

There is a range of instructional strategies available, from expositive to experiential, and many in between. Almost any instructional strategy can be used to achieve any performance objective. No one instructional strategy works uniformly well under all conditions.

To choose the appropriate strategy, consider the:

• learners,
• how adults prefer to learn,
• desired performance objectives,
• learning and working environments,
• constraints on the instructional design process.

Learning Pyramid

Choose instructional strategies wisely for increased retention.

Delivery and Media Selection

Developing a instructional strategy includes choosing a delivery method and accompanying media. These choices are impacted by limitations of time, equipment, staff skills, and costs and learner and management preferences. Remember the ultimate goal is to select methods of instruction that are experienced-centered and problem-centered to maximize learning by adults. In making these decisions consider the following:

• What are the desired performance objectives?
• What are the constraints in time, money, skills and agency commitment?
• How much and how often will the training be revised?
• What are the preferences of learners and management?
• What impact does the learning and working environment have on the selections?

Many options and combinations of options exist. Consider the costs carefully. The use of the Internet and computer-based instruction is emerging as a significant force in training. E-Learning as it is commonly known has an important place but will not replace classroom training. Select it carefully as a delivery method. many times a blended approach to training delivery is appropriate.

The selection of an instructional strategy requires the commitment of funds for further development, evaluation and subsequent delivery. These strategies should be chosen to meet the learning objectives in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Consider the possible options and combinations of options carefully. Again, remember the ultimate goal is to provide training to adults that is experienced-centered and problem-centered.

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