Jeff Stivers

(Or – The Importance of Applying Instructional Design Methodology to Create Business-Focused Learning Content)

If done well, eLearning can be one of the most effective ways to train and support employees, managers, and executives in a corporate environment. With the digital tools and cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) platforms available today, training content can be created and distributed on an enterprise-wide scale. This means that organizations no longer need to rely solely on often difficult-to-coordinate instructor-led training sessions that may only accommodate a few attendees at a time. Instructor-led training can also be hampered by scheduling conflicts and disparate time zones making it challenging to get instructors and learners together at the same time.

Enterprise-available eLearning training content can be repeatably used by learners without the need to pull trainers – who are often key resources within the organization -away from their primary roles. Learners have flexibility because they can access eLearning content when it fits into their schedule, and more importantly, when the content is most relevant to the task they are performing.

Developing business-focused eLearning content is ever-evolving, and if not done well can miss the mark on hitting training objectives and also fail to fully engage learners.

This is where the principles of instructional design and an instructional design methodology come into the picture.

At its core, instructional design is defined as the practice of creating instructional experiences to help facilitate learning in its most effective form ⁽¹⁾. Design, in this sense, is more than a process. It’s a framework of thinking and application that can be embedded in all training interactions and learning content. This includes applying an instructional design model when creating eLearning content.

When an organization invests in eLearning without instructional design principles as a foundation, it can end up spending a lot of money and time on creating ineffective content that does not meet learning objectives and does not engage the learner. Training via any type of delivery format, including eLearning, is only as powerful as learners actually implementing the lessons learned in their work.

It Starts with Strategy – An Instructional Design Model

A strategy is synonymous with a plan of action or a method for performing a task. There are many respected and widely used instructional design models. These models and methodologies provide a framework to develop a cohesive training strategy and targeted training content. All good instructional design models focus on the following activities:

Setting clear goals
Defining detailed learner objectives focused on results
Determining skills and knowledge required to achieve the goals and objectives
Researching and creating content
Determining instructional strategies and delivery format
Conducting learner assessments and determining training effectiveness

A well-planned instructional design strategy can help mitigate one of the key issues related to eLearning: the lack of interpersonal interaction between learner and teacher. An effective instructional design strategy can help you captivate your online learners by leveraging engaging elements like – practice exercises, interactivity, video, simulations, and case studies.

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

With instructional design, there is no one-size-fits-all. Many valid approaches and methodologies can reach the same objective, which will inspire creativity and innovation in your training content. Content delivery options include case studies, scenario-based learning, learning exploration and discovery (LEAD), and the list goes on. Content delivery options often map well to specific learning topics. For example, guided learning works well with induction training and product training, whereas case studies line up well with safety training, quality training, and compliance training. Of course, you can step outside of these suggestions, which can lead to innovative training results.

But to be clear – I’m not saying that eLearning and digital learning delivery platforms can always replace getting instructors and learners in the same room. Some training is best delivered in an instructor-led format. Applying an instructional design methodology will ensure that you identify instances where person-to-person instructor/learner interaction is the best way to meet your learning objectives and achieve your desired training outcomes. In my knowledge management practice, we regularly use instructor-led training as part of the design process for eLearning content. We find that instructor-led training can help validate and hone the training content and learning objectives before developing eLearning content.

Before you jump into fun and creative activities like building training content using a good instructional design model, it is important to take into consideration factors like audience profiles, learning environments, and constraints of time and cost. Any good ID model will accommodate such things. Once you do the background work, you can focus on the creative aspects of instructional design to develop effective and engaging eLearning programs. And let’s be honest: it’s the creative stuff we all want to get our hands into.

What is your instructional design methodology?

Happy learning!
Jeff

⁽¹⁾ Kurt, S. “Instructional Design Models and Theories,” in Educational Technology, December 9, 2015. Retrieved from educationaltechnology.net/instructional-design-models-and-theories

As technology continues to shape our world, more and more businesses are turning to Software as a Service (SaaS) applications to manage their operations. But what exactly is a SaaS application, and how does it work?

At its core, a SaaS application is simply a software application that runs on the internet, rather than on a user’s computer. This means that users can access the application from anywhere with an internet connection, using a web browser or a dedicated app.

But the technology behind a SaaS application is much more complex than that. To understand how it works, we need to dive deeper into the layers of technology that make up a modern SaaS application.

At the top of the stack is the User Interface layer. This is the part of the application that users see and interact with. It’s responsible for presenting information and allowing users to perform tasks, such as creating and editing data. The UI layer is typically created using tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and popular frontend frameworks like React or Angular.

Beneath the UI layer is the Application layer. This is where the “brain” of the application lives, handling business logic and data processing. The application layer is typically built using server-side programming languages like Python or Ruby, and popular frameworks like Django or Ruby on Rails.

The Data Access layer is next, handling interactions with the SaaS application’s database or other persistent data storage. This layer often involves tools like SQLalchemy or ActiveRecord to handle queries, data validation, and data transformations.

The Infrastructure layer manages the underlying computing resources needed to run the SaaS application, such as servers, storage, and network infrastructure. This layer often uses cloud-based services like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, along with Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation.

The Integration layer connects the SaaS application to other systems or services, such as payment gateways or messaging platforms. This layer often involves the use of APIs or message queues to exchange data between systems.

Finally, the Security layer is responsible for protecting the SaaS application from various security threats, such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and denial-of-service attacks. This layer often involves the use of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and other security monitoring tools.

Together, these layers make up a modern SaaS application. While the technology can be complex, the benefits of using a SaaS application are clear. By running in the cloud, SaaS applications are highly accessible, flexible, and scalable. They allow businesses to focus on their core operations, while leaving the technology to the experts. Whether you’re managing finances, customer data, or project management, chances are there’s a SaaS application out there that can help.

As SaaS applications become more prevalent, it’s important for businesses and consumers to understand how they work and how they can be used effectively. With the ability to access software from anywhere, on any device, SaaS applications have revolutionized the way we work and interact with technology.

But like any technology, SaaS applications can come with their own set of challenges. Security and data privacy are major concerns for businesses, especially when sensitive data is being stored and processed online. It’s important for businesses to carefully evaluate the security practices of any SaaS application they use, and to implement their own security measures as needed.

Another challenge is vendor lock-in, where businesses become dependent on a single SaaS provider and find it difficult or costly to switch to a different platform. This can be mitigated by choosing SaaS applications that support open standards and data portability, or by using multi-cloud strategies to spread workloads across multiple providers.

Despite these challenges, SaaS applications are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern business operations. With their accessibility, flexibility, and scalability, they’re allowing businesses of all sizes to compete on a level playing field. As the technology behind SaaS applications continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses and applications in the years to come.

The future of SaaS is exciting, with new technologies and innovations emerging all the time. One trend that is already gaining momentum is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in SaaS applications. By analyzing large amounts of data, these applications can make predictions and offer insights that were previously impossible.

Another trend is the use of microservices, which allow SaaS applications to be broken down into smaller, more manageable components. This makes it easier to develop and maintain applications and allows for greater flexibility and scalability.

The most prevalent programming languages and tools used to create and maintain each layer of a modern SaaS application vary depending on the application’s specific requirements, but some popular choices include:

User Interface Layer: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; React, Angular, and Vue.
Application Layer: Java, Python, Ruby; Spring Boot, Django, Rails.
Data Access Layer: SQL; Hibernate, ActiveRecord.
Infrastructure Layer: Terraform, CloudFormation.
Integration Layer: REST APIs, message queues, event-driven architectures.
Security Layer: firewalls, IDPS, security monitoring solutions.

As the SaaS market continues to grow, we can also expect to see more niche applications catering to specific industries or use cases. For example, there are already SaaS applications that focus on healthcare, legal services, and real estate. As the technology becomes more sophisticated and the market more crowded, we can expect to see even more specialized applications emerging.

For businesses and consumers, the future of SaaS means greater access to technology, more efficient operations, and the ability to focus on what really matters. Whether you’re a small business looking to streamline your operations or a consumer looking for the latest productivity tool, SaaS applications are changing the way we work and live.

Author: Jeff Stivers

Using Instructional Design to Create High-Quality eLearning Content

An Intro to SaaS Architecture