How to Be Research and Instructional Design Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 29, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a Research and Instructional Design Specialist is to obtain a bachelor's degree in a field related to research and instructional design, such as educational technology, instructional design, human-computer interaction, or a related field.
Get Certified. You may also want to consider getting certified in instructional design or a related field. This certification can help demonstrate your expertise in research and instruction design and make you more attractive to potential employers.
Obtain Relevant Work Experience. Consider completing an internship or volunteer work in research and instructional design while you are obtaining your degree. This will give you a chance to gain valuable experience in the field and potentially make connections with potential employers.
Develop Expertise in Instructional Design Principles. Research and instructional design specialists must be familiar with the principles of instructional design and be able to apply them in their work. It is important to become familiar with the leading theories and models of instructional design and keep up-to-date on new developments in the field.
Develop Skills in Technology. Research and instructional design specialists must also be adept in using technology to create instructional materials. It is important to become familiar with various software packages used for creating instructional materials, such as Adobe Creative Suite and Articulate Storyline.
Seek Employment. Once you have obtained your degree, certification, and developed relevant skills, you can begin seeking employment as a research and instructional design specialist. You can look for positions at educational institutions, corporations, or other organizations that require expertise in research and instructional design.

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Job Description

Develop and coordinate research projects to generate new insights and inform the design of instructional materials.
Develop and implement instructional design strategies, including the selection and development of appropriate learning materials, assessment instruments, and instructional technologies.
Design and develop instructional materials, such as course/program syllabi, interactive multimedia materials, and web-based instruction.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop course/program content and instructional materials.
Analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional materials and recommend improvements.
Provide guidance to faculty and staff on the use of educational technologies to improve the quality of instruction.
Perform data analysis to assess the effectiveness of instructional materials and make recommendations for improvement.
Implement training programs for faculty and staff on the use of instructional technologies.
Monitor and evaluate the results of research projects to ensure effective implementation of instructional design strategies.
Create reports to document research findings and support decision-making by departmental stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of instructional design and learning theory.
Understanding of research methods, such as survey design, qualitative research, and quantitative analysis.
Familiarity with various instructional design models, such as ADDIE and Blooms Taxonomy.
Ability to effectively assess learning needs and create appropriate learning objectives.
Proficiency in the use of media for instruction and training, such as video, animation, and interactive e-learning.
Expertise in developing interactive materials and programs for online training delivery.
Ability to develop innovative and creative instructional designs.
Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills.
Knowledge of adult education principles and practices.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with teams in a fast-paced environment.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in the use of technology, such as content management systems, web authoring tools, and multimedia authoring software.

Effective research and instructional design specialists possess a unique set of skills that enable them to design effective learning experiences for learners. These skills include knowledge of the subject matter, a comprehensive understanding of learning theories, and an ability to develop engaging instructional materials. they must have excellent communication and organizational skills as well as the ability to effectively manage projects and collaborate with colleagues.

All of these skills are critical for research and instructional design specialists to be successful. If a person lacks any of these skills, they are unlikely to be able to create effective learning experiences and will likely struggle in their role.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in research and instructional design?
How have you used research to inform instructional design decisions?
How do you ensure that instructional materials meet learning objectives?
What methods do you use to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional materials?
What experience do you have working with course development software?
How have you leveraged technology in instructional design?
How do you stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in instructional design?
What challenges have you faced with instructional design in the past, and how did you overcome them?
How would you go about creating a new curriculum from scratch?
Describe a successful instructional design project that you have worked on.

Common Tools in Industry

Adobe Creative Suite. This is a suite of tools for graphic design, video editing, web development, and photography. (eg: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Learning Management System (LMS). A software platform used to create, deliver, and track online learning programs. (eg: Moodle, Canvas)
Video Conferencing Software. Software used to facilitate video meetings between multiple participants. (eg: Skype, Zoom)
Content Authoring Tools. Software used to create interactive e-learning content. (eg: Articulate Storyline, iSpring Suite)
Screen Recording Software. Software used to capture and record screen activity. (eg: Camtasia, Snagit)
Survey/Evaluation Tools. Software used to create and distribute surveys and questionnaires. (eg: SurveyMonkey, Google Forms)
Webinar Platforms. Online platforms used to host live webinars and presentations. (eg: GoToWebinar, Webex)
Collaboration Tools. Software used to facilitate collaboration between teams. (eg: Slack, Microsoft Teams)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Association for Talent Development (ATD)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)

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Common Important Terms

Instructional Design. A systematic approach to the development of instructional materials and activities that are tailored to the needs of learners. Instructional design involves analyzing learning objectives, selecting instructional strategies and activities, designing materials, and evaluating the effectiveness of the instruction.
Instructional Technology. The use of technology in an instructional setting to improve learning outcomes. Instructional technology encompasses a wide range of tools and resources such as multimedia, video conferencing, virtual classrooms, and social media.
Learning Objectives. A set of outcomes that specify what a learner should be able to do or demonstrate upon completion of a learning experience. Learning objectives serve as a guide for instruction and assessment, and they help to ensure that learning experiences are relevant and meaningful.
Assessment. The process of gathering and analyzing data to evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional program or intervention. Assessment can include pre- and post-tests, surveys, focus groups, interviews, and other data collection methods.
Educational Research. A systematic inquiry into educational issues, problems, or practices in order to gain knowledge or develop theories about them. Educational research can include qualitative and quantitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, case studies, experiments, and statistical analysis.
Curriculum Development. The process of designing and creating curricular material for a specific purpose or audience. Curriculum development involves analyzing the needs of learners, selecting appropriate content, designing activities and assessments, and evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum.
Learner Analysis. The process of gathering and analyzing data about learners in order to identify their instructional needs. Learner analysis can include surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, and other methods of data collection.
Knowledge Management. The process of capturing, storing, organizing, and sharing knowledge within an organization in order to improve decision-making and performance. Knowledge management systems can include databases, knowledge bases, data warehouses, and other tools for storing and sharing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job description of a Research and Instructional Design Specialist?

A Research and Instructional Design Specialist is responsible for creating and developing instructional materials based on research findings. This includes designing and developing curriculum, course materials, and assessment tools. They also provide technical assistance, support, and consultation for instructional staff.

What qualifications are required for a Research and Instructional Design Specialist?

A Research and Instructional Design Specialist typically needs a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as instructional design, education, or psychology, as well as experience in research and data analysis. Additionally, knowledge of instructional design principles, technology, and software applications is also essential.

How much does a Research and Instructional Design Specialist earn?

The median salary for a Research and Instructional Design Specialist is typically around $55,000 per year. Salaries may vary depending on experience and other factors.

What type of tasks does a Research and Instructional Design Specialist do?

Research and Instructional Design Specialists are tasked with designing, developing, and evaluating educational materials such as curricula, assessments, and training materials. They also oversee the implementation of instructional materials, analyze data to measure effectiveness, provide technical assistance, and consult with instructional staff.

What types of organizations hire Research and Instructional Design Specialists?

Research and Instructional Design Specialists may be employed by government agencies, universities, corporations, or non-profit organizations. They may also work in consulting firms or as independent contractors.