Learning Design versus Instructional Design! Is there a difference? Why do I default more
to using Learning Design? Why does it even matter what we call it? In today's video, you'll get a
clear understanding of what the differences are between these two. So, let's dive in!
My name is Bianca Raby and I'm an ex-school teacher turned expert Learning Designer and now
CEO of a digital education agency called Oppida. I basically live and breathe all things learning
in the digital age. So, if you're ready to kick start your career transition to learning design
then make sure to subscribe and hit the bell notification for new videos
every week from me. Okay, so firstly why do I insist on using the term learning design so much
even though the keyword research we do says that most people use the term instructional design?
Well, it is kind of simple. The word instructional conjures up an image of someone
or a group of people simply telling another individual or group how to do something.
It feels like a one-way interaction. It's that traditional idea that as an expert in something
it's your job to instruct others. This word also really puts the receiver in a passive position.
On the flip side, the word learning conjures up an image of a reciprocal engaging experience.
Sure we've all had some memories of being made to rote learn things at school.
But learning is more of a process. It's a journey. An energy that invites aha moments at all times.
So why is this distinction so important in the new digital world of blended learning?
Well like all technological advances at the beginning society usually tries to adopt them
with the same mindset as a superseded technology. For example, when TV was invented people first
filmed the theater and beamed it into living rooms then they realised they could design
and craft entertainment specifically to suit this new medium when radio was invented people started
reading newspapers out on it then like tv radio shows were produced the integration of technology
in our lives and therefore in our classrooms is no different at first and unfortunately
still in some places online courses were just filmed lectures and or workshops with attached
documents uploaded to an lms this made all this feel very instructional for the learners
with little to no engagement it was purely chalk and talk delivery and e-learning was generally
adopted first by corporates or sectors where there was a heavy compliance element especially when lms
started to be able to deliver self-grading quizzes it was seen as a way to automate and save money
but now as we see the technology really advance in the world of education and educators are learning
to craft learning experiences that engage and push learners to their ZPD that is zone of proximal
development for any non-teachers watching so my quest is to use the phrase learning design so
much that we start to all get what it means it's the evolution of the instructional designer
but in order for me to grow my audience you will see me use both words at times
making sense drop me a comment below if this has changed your understanding of the two roles do you
agree with me if you want to deep dive some more i highly recommend picking up a copy of my book
online learning so you want to be a learning designer i have a whole chapter on terminology
as a bonus check the description for a link to Oppida's free course called
Designing Digital Learning. There are lots of golden nuggets in there to get you started
i hope you've enjoyed the video once again please make sure you leave a thumbs up
subscribe to the channel and hit the little bell notification for new videos
oh and in case you missed it please check out my video on three teaching skills you already have
to make the best e-learning designers thanks for watching and until next time stay awesome!
you