Instructional Design is a methodology, discipline, practice and an art of developing effective learning experiences for the learners. The effectiveness of such methodology is proved by the effectiveness of the learning process itself.
Instructional Design: A Brief Introduction
Instructional Design (or Instructional Systems Design (ISD)):
 is the practice of creating “instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skill more efficient, effective, and appealing.” The process consists broadly of determining the current state and needs of the learner, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating some “intervention” to assist in the transition. Ideally the process is informed by pedagogically (process of teaching) and andragogically (adult learning) tested theories of learning and may take place in student-only, teacher-led or community-based settings. The outcome of this instruction may be directly observable and scientifically measured or completely hidden and assumed. There are many instructional design models but many are based on the ADDIE model with the five phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. As a field, instructional design is historically and traditionally rooted in cognitive and behavioral psychology, though recently Constructivism (learning theory) has influenced thinking in the field.(Wikipedia: Instructional design)
A practice as that, it is based on many knowledge domains and derives its effectiveness by the systematic application of valid models (as the ADDIE is) at the mapping of the current training requirement and the development of learning material and learning paths which can lead learners to the achievement of the required learning objectives!
The following infographic, succeed in capturing the essence of this practice and emphasize the importance of this approach to the effectiveness of the learning and e-Learning process.
Take a look!
Instructional Systems Design Infographic
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Question: So what you think, about the instructional design practice? Please comment if you had used or want to use Instructional Design principles for the development of learning paths, courses, and e-Learning procedures.