Welcome to another insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show! Today, we dive into the world of instructional design with none other than Cammy Bean, the author of “The Accidental Instructional Designer: Learning Design for the Digital Age.” Cammy’s journey in the learning and development (L&D) space spans nearly three decades, making her a revered figure in the industry. From starting as a junior instructional designer to becoming a senior solutions consultant at Kineo, her experiences and insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the instructional design landscape.
The Journey of an Accidental Instructional Designer
Cammy’s path into instructional design was not pre-planned but rather a fortunate accident. With a background in English and German studies, she initially envisioned a career in academia. However, her first job at a company helping employees balance work and family issues led her to an unexpected role in training. As the organization transitioned from paper processes to digital systems, Cammy became the bridge between the technical developers and the end-users, gradually stepping into the instructional design space.
Her role involved not just understanding and communicating technical processes but also creating training programs, newsletters, job aids, and more. This experience naturally progressed into a more formal instructional design role when she joined a company called Video Information Systems. Here, Cammy found herself in a creative environment, writing scripts, developing training programs, and even participating in video shoots.
Despite having no formal training in instructional design, Cammy’s career flourished. She credits this to her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and her natural inclination toward teaching. It wasn’t until she was ten years into her career that she began to study instructional design theories formally, which deepened her understanding and enhanced her practice.
A Day in the Life of an Instructional Designer
Cammy’s experience as an instructional designer has been varied, depending on the company and role. In smaller e-learning shops, she wore multiple hats—gathering content, working with sales teams, writing scripts, conducting quality assurance, and even managing projects. Her work was always collaborative, involving close interactions with clients, production teams, and graphic designers to create engaging learning experiences.
At Kineo, where she currently works, Cammy’s role became more specialized. She focused solely on instructional design, which allowed her to dive deeper into creating effective learning solutions. Despite now working in a sales role, Cammy still applies her instructional design skills daily, thinking critically about how to meet client needs and solve problems through learning solutions.
The Evolution of Instructional Design
The instructional design landscape has changed significantly since Cammy first entered the field. One of the most notable shifts is the influx of former teachers into instructional design roles, particularly after the pandemic. These individuals bring valuable teaching skills and a desire to transition into corporate training, adding a new dynamic to the field.
Another significant change is the advancement in technology. Tools like AI are becoming increasingly integrated into the instructional design process, promising faster content development but also raising concerns about quality. Cammy cautions against the temptation to produce more content quickly at the expense of thoughtful design. She emphasizes the importance of keeping human beings at the center of learning solutions, regardless of the tools or technologies used.
Essential Skills for Emerging Instructional Designers
Cammy encourages new instructional designers to think of their skills as part of a larger “pie.” This pie consists of four main areas:
- Learning and Pedagogy: Understanding how adults learn, defining instructional strategies, and designing assessments are crucial. This area delves into the science of learning, which can be a deep field of study on its own.
- Creative Design: Engaging learners requires creativity. This includes visual design, storytelling, and ensuring content is relevant and engaging. Skills in game design, video production, and audio production also fall into this category.
- Technology: Instructional designers must be familiar with the technologies used in learning, from LMS platforms to SCORM and xAPI. While one doesn’t need to be an expert in all technologies, having a broad understanding is beneficial.
- Business Skills: Understanding the business side of instructional design is essential. This includes performance consulting, project management, and aligning learning solutions with business objectives.
Cammy advises instructional designers to identify their strengths and develop expertise in one or more areas while maintaining a broad understanding of the entire field. It’s also important to recognize and address any blind spots, such as avoiding certain technologies, which can limit one’s effectiveness.
The Future of Instructional Design: Personalized Learning Pathways and Data Integration
Personalized learning pathways are becoming increasingly important in instructional design. As learners are time-poor and easily distracted, delivering relevant content that meets their specific needs is crucial. Personalized pathways, supported by data and analytics, can help ensure that learning experiences are both efficient and effective.
Cammy acknowledges that implementing personalized learning pathways requires a deep understanding of both the learners and the technologies that enable such customization. It’s not a task for one person but rather a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including data analysts, instructional designers, and technology experts.
The Role of Data in Instructional Design
Data and learning analytics have become integral to instructional design, enabling designers to measure the impact of their work more accurately. Cammy highlights the importance of identifying the right success metrics at the start of any learning project. These metrics should be tied to business objectives, such as improved customer service scores or increased employee performance.
At Kineo, data plays a significant role in shaping learning solutions. The company has developed tools like Kineo Analytics to help clients measure engagement and effectiveness, moving beyond basic SCORM data to provide deeper insights. This focus on data allows instructional designers to demonstrate the value of their work and make informed decisions about future projects.
Emerging Technologies and the Future of Instructional Design
The instructional design field is constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging regularly. AI, in particular, is poised to disrupt the industry by speeding up content development and reducing costs. However, Cammy warns that this could lead to an overabundance of low-quality content if not managed carefully.
Despite the rapid technological advancements, Cammy believes that the core skills of instructional design—understanding learners, designing engaging content, and aligning with business objectives—will remain essential. As the industry continues to evolve, instructional designers must stay informed about new tools and trends while maintaining a healthy skepticism to avoid being swept up in every new fad.
Cammy identifies three key areas to watch: AI, skills development, and data analytics. These areas will likely shape the future of instructional design, offering new opportunities for those who are prepared to adapt and grow.
Conclusion: Navigating the Instructional Design Landscape
Cammy Bean’s journey as an “accidental instructional designer” offers valuable lessons for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the field. Her emphasis on understanding the bigger picture, developing core skills, and staying adaptable in the face of emerging technologies is advice that anyone in the L&D space can benefit from.
As the instructional design landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial to keep human beings at the center of learning solutions. By doing so, instructional designers can create meaningful, impactful experiences that drive real business results. Whether you’re just starting in the field or looking to expand your expertise, Cammy’s insights provide a roadmap for success in this dynamic and ever-changing industry.
Stay tuned to the Digital Adoption Show for more engaging conversations with leaders in the digital and L&D spaces. Whether you’re at home or on the go, you won’t want to miss our latest episodes.