Design Document Templates and Documentation 411

Creating design document templates

Although there isn’t a singular design document template, generally a design document includes the topics that will be covered in the course, the target audience, learning objectives, training objects, and each learning topic will be measured for success. Even though I don’t have experience creating a design document in real life, I do know why it is important to include these components in the design document.

Writing up Instructional Design Documentation

Although I don’t have experience in writing up instructional design documentation, I know that in this case documentation is important to make sure that stakeholders, SMEs, and IDs are in consensus with the direction the project is heading. Since the document includes project requirements, course structure, and materials to be used, it is important that there is documented proof that all essential stakeholders agree with the project’s vision.

Example Course: Blue Beta Facilities Orientation

• The Course Topic: The new hire will learn about the organization’s facilities and what is available to them as an employee.

• Target Audience: It is an orientation for new hires!

• Knowledge and/or Skill Type(s) : The new hires are not expected to know background information of the organization’s facilities, since the necessary information is provided in the course.

• Learning domain: Compliance - Policies and Procedures

• Assessment method: A multiple-choice formative assessment

• Trigger event: The trigger event occurs when the learner is introduced to the floor plan of the organization, and the learner is forced to explore it.

• Guidance technique: When the learner scrolls down the page, an arrow appears so they can move on to the next section.

References

(2021). How to Create an Instructional Design Document. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtZeUCNKhEE.

Ayesha Habeeb Omer, P. D. (2021, May 12). An outline for creating an instructional design document. eLearning Industry. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://elearningindustry.com/outline-creating-instructional-design-document

Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2012). Scenario-based e-learning : Evidence-based guidelines for online workforce learning. Center for Creative Leadership.