Profiling the Instructional Designer: Towards a Systematisation of the Profession

Created on 21st February 2022

Conference: The European Conference on Arts, Design & Education (ECADE2022)
Title: Profiling the Instructional Designer: Towards a Systematisation of the Profession
Stream: Learning Practices in Art & Design Education
Presentation Type: Virtual Poster Presentation
Authors:
Carlos Rosa, European University of Lisbon, Portugal
António Gorgel, European University of Lisbon, Portugal
Rodrigo Hernández-Ramírez, European University of Lisbon, Portugal
João Ferreira, European University of Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract:

In recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to rethink learning experiences has become evident. Instructional design is a field that can contribute significantly to developing new ways of learning in digital environments; however, as a profession within the European context, it has not been regulated, nor the requirements for the practitioners of this field have been thoroughly systematized. This paper looks at instructional design and outlines the profile that a European Instructional Designer expert (EID) should meet. We contend that this person should be responsible for designing, developing, and delivering learning products and experiences and coordinating the Instructional Systems Design process. The learning products may include online courses, instructional manuals, video tutorials, learning simulations, among other digital learning experiences. We argue that Instructional Designers are poised to become key professionals in the educational domain and that, given their potential skills, they are in a critical position to contribute to the success of the 2021-2027 Digital Education Action Plan and the European Union’s policy and strategy on digital and green transitions at large. The research is being developed in partnership with six European organizations (ISQe, IADE-UE, EFCoERT, EDEN, FIP, UT), focusing on developing competencies and a professional profile for the EID in line with the European Qualifications Framework Level 6. Namely, on articulating existing instructional design approaches with design methods. Ultimately, we intend to develop and empirically validate the profile and learning outputs for the EID, aiming to create a European level accredited training program.