What are the 7 types of instructional materials?

There is no standard list of seven. Common types include lesson plans, handouts and workbooks, slide decks, videos, e-learning modules, job aids, and assessments. The course covers storyboards, design documents, and assessments (Module 2) and instructor materials and job aids (Module 3).

Is AI replacing instructional designers?

AI tools can speed up drafting and production, which is changing how instructional designers work. Needs analysis, learner research, design decisions, accessibility, quality assurance, and evaluation still depend on human judgment, and the course teaches these skills through the ADDIE model. It does not cover AI tools.

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Instructional Design Foundations Certification

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Instructional Design Foundations Certification

Instructors: Starweaver

Included with Learn more

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Analyze learning requirements using systematic needs assessment techniques and define measurable learning objectives using Bloom's Taxonomy.
Design comprehensive learning solutions, including instructional strategy selection, content structure, and learner experience planning.
Develop professional instructional materials with proper quality assurance and accessibility compliance.
Evaluate instructional design solutions using appropriate delivery methods and measurement frameworks such as Kirkpatrick’s Model.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Learning Management Systems

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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There are 5 modules in this course

Instructional Design Foundations Certification builds a strong foundation in instructional design and shows you how to apply the complete ADDIE model, an instructional system design framework, to real-world learning and development projects. Designed for aspiring instructional designers, career changers, educators, and L&D professionals, it takes you through learning needs analysis, target audience research, learning strategy design, content development, implementation, and learning evaluation.

You’ll practice writing measurable learning objectives using Bloom’s Taxonomy, creating learner personas, structuring learning journeys, developing professional storyboards, and applying WCAG accessibility standards. You’ll also explore e-learning development, quality assurance, learning management systems (LMS), SCORM standards, and evaluation frameworks such as Kirkpatrick’s Model. Hands-on activities and portfolio projects help you translate instructional design fundamentals into professional practice. This instructional design course also provides practical guidance on how to become an instructional designer: building an instructional design portfolio, preparing for interviews, optimizing your resume and LinkedIn profile, and pursuing entry-level opportunities in corporate L&D, EdTech, consulting, or freelance instructional design.

This foundational module introduces learners to the instructional design profession and the systematic ADDIE approach. Students will learn core analysis skills including needs assessment, learning objective development, and target audience research - essential competencies for any instructional designer.

What's included

15 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

15 videosTotal 85 minutes

Welcome and Course Goals 5 minutes
Module Introduction3 minutes
Instructional Design and Why It Matters10 minutes
Career Opportunities in Instructional Design: Ed-Tech and Corporate Learning5 minutes
ADDIE Model and Its Components5 minutes
Learning/Training Gap Analysis 11 minutes
Defining Your Learning Goal4 minutes
Bloom's Taxonomy: Theory4 minutes
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application4 minutes
Training/Learning Need Analysis 4 minutes
Who is Your Learner?4 minutes
Background and Demographics 5 minutes
Motivation and Goals for Learning 5 minutes
Identifying Learner Pain Points11 minutes
Learning Solution for Varied Target Audiences4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 15 minutes

Welcome to the Course5 minutes
The What, Why, and How of Needs Assessments5 minutes
L&D Guide Series: How to Use an Audience Analysis and Learner Personas 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Instructional Design Analysis: Fundamentals and Core Concepts20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 10 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Learner Persona Development10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

From a Vague Request to a Measurable Target5 minutes
The Pain Point Nobody Names in a Survey5 minutes

This module focuses on transforming analysis insights into comprehensive learning design solutions, covering strategy selection, content structuring, and detailed storyboarding techniques.

What's included

20 videos5 readings1 assignment2 peer reviews2 discussion prompts

20 videosTotal 138 minutes

Module Introduction 3 minutes
Types of Learning Strategies 6 minutes
Levels of Learning Interactivity 7 minutes
Mapping Learning Strategy and Interactivity 7 minutes
Creating a Learning Journey Outline 5 minutes
Learning Content Structure and Flow 7 minutes
Types of Learning Content: Part 1 6 minutes
Types of Learning Content: Part 26 minutes
Create Your Design Document: Concept and Structure Note (LLD)12 minutes
Create Your Design Document: Program Outline(HLD) 9 minutes
Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction 7 minutes
Concept of a Storyboard: Sections7 minutes
Formats of Storyboard 6 minutes
How to Design a Hook/How to Set Up Context7 minutes
Introduction to Your Learning Topic4 minutes
Stating Learning Objectives and Designing Your Learning Roadmap7 minutes
Presenting Your Learning Content 9 minutes
Right Assessments for Scaffolded Learning 12 minutes
Summarization of Your Learning Solution – Part 1 7 minutes
Summarization of Your Learning Solution – Part 23 minutes

5 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Downloadable Resource: Sample Low-Level Design Pack: Concept and Structure Note 10 minutes
Downloadable Resource: Sample High-Level Design Workbook 10 minutes
Effective Storyboarding Techniques for E-Learning 5 minutes
Assessment Design in Adult Learning 5 minutes
Downloadable Resource: Complete Level 4 Storyboard Benchmark 10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Designing Your Learning Solution20 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 35 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Basic Storyboard Creation15 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: Complete Learning Module Storyboard 20 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

Which Storyboard Format Fits Your Course? 5 minutes
What Gets Cut When the Deadline Arrives5 minutes

This module focuses on translating design documentation into actual learning materials, emphasizing accessibility, quality assurance, and professional development practices.

What's included

14 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

14 videosTotal 87 minutes

Module Introduction2 minutes
Methods of Authoring 9 minutes
Creating Learning Materials for Instructors 5 minutes
Common Authoring Tools 9 minutes
Common Learning Delivery Tools 6 minutes
Introduction to WCAG Standards10 minutes
Importance of Captioning 10 minutes
Writing Clear Alt Text10 minutes
Best Practices for Accessibility Compliance4 minutes
Job Aids and Quick Reference Guides 10 minutes
Audio-Visual Quality Checks3 minutes
Interactivity and Navigation Checks 3 minutes
Language and Grammar Checks 3 minutes
Mapping Learning Product to Learning Outcomes4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

Quality Assurance in E-Learning Development 5 minutes
Testing Learning Materials: A Systematic Approach 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Development of Learning Solution20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 10 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Quality Assurance Checklist10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

The Accessibility Feature That Helps Everyone5 minutes
Polished Content That Serves No Objective5 minutes

This final module focuses on learning delivery, management systems, evaluation methodologies, and measuring the effectiveness of learning interventions.

What's included

15 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

15 videosTotal 94 minutes

Module Introduction3 minutes
Learning Management Systems4 minutes
SCORM Standards 4 minutes
Different Modes of Learning Delivery 4 minutes
Updating and Maintenance of Learning Content4 minutes
Kirkpatrick's Model of Learning Evaluation10 minutes
Measuring Knowledge Retention and Job Performance Impact 10 minutes
Types of Learner Feedback: Immediate and Delayed Feedback 4 minutes
Methods of Testing Behavior Change 4 minutes
Measuring Overall Result of Learning Intervention5 minutes
Key Takeaway of Analysis Phase9 minutes
Key Takeaway of Design Phase9 minutes
Key Takeaway of Development Phase9 minutes
Key Takeaway of Implementation Phase8 minutes
Key Takeaway of Evaluation Phase 9 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

How to Evaluate the Success of an eLearning Program: Setting Objectives and Assessing Outcomes 5 minutes
eLearning Standards 101: SCORM, AICC, xAPI, cmi5, And IMS Cartridge 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Implementation and Evaluation of Learning Solution20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 15 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Complete Instructional Design Project Plan15 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

The Data Learners Cannot Give You5 minutes
The ADDIE Phase That Will Test You Most5 minutes

This bonus module equips learners with practical tools and strategies for successfully launching their instructional design careers. The module covers comprehensive job search strategies specific to L&D roles, including how to build a compelling portfolio and position your ADDIE projects effectively. Learners receive guidance on networking within the instructional design community, understanding different organizational cultures (corporate, ed-tech, consulting), and navigating recruitment processes. The module includes interview preparation focusing on portfolio presentations, behavioral questions, and demonstrating your design thinking. Career planning components help learners chart their path whether targeting corporate L&D, ed-tech companies, consulting firms, or freelance practice, with specific guidance on compensation negotiation and career progression in the field.

What's included

24 videos5 readings1 assignment5 peer reviews2 discussion prompts

24 videosTotal 195 minutes

From Certification to Career: Your Portfolio Journey 6 minutes
Portfolio Structure and Best Practices11 minutes
Showcasing Your ADDIE Projects12 minutes
Digital Portfolio Platforms and Tools 6 minutes
Understanding the Instructional Design Job Market 11 minutes
Resume Optimization for Instructional Design Roles - Part 16 minutes
Resume Optimization for Instructional Design Roles - Part 27 minutes
LinkedIn Profile Excellence for L&D Professionals 11 minutes
Interview Strategies for Instructional Designers 9 minutes
Types of Instructional Design Interviews 9 minutes
Portfolio Presentation Techniques - Part 16 minutes
Portfolio Presentation Techniques - Part 28 minutes
Interview Success for ID Roles 11 minutes
90-Day Career Launch Action Plan 7 minutes
Questions to Ask Your Interviewers 9 minutes
Career Paths in Instructional Design - Part 14 minutes
Career Paths in Instructional Design - Part 29 minutes
Understanding Organizational Cultures: Corporate vs. Ed-Tech vs. Consulting - Part 18 minutes
Understanding Organizational Cultures: Corporate vs. Ed-Tech vs. Consulting - Part 25 minutes
Salary Expectations and Compensation Negotiation - Part 18 minutes
Salary Expectations and Compensation Negotiation - Part 28 minutes
Freelance vs. Full-Time: Choosing Your Path 11 minutes
Continuing Education and Professional Development10 minutes
Course Wrap-up 4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Instructional Design Portfolio Examples 5 minutes
Job Search Strategy Guide for Instructional Designers 5 minutes
Downloadable Resource: Job Aids10 minutes
Interview Preparation Handbook for Instructional Designers 5 minutes
Long-term Career Planning in Instructional Design 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 40 minutes

Career Launch Strategy Assessment 40 minutes

5 peer reviewsTotal 155 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Portfolio Development Workshop30 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: Resume and LinkedIn Optimization Lab20 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: Mock Interview Practice 25 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: 90-Day Career Launch Action Plan20 minutes
Project: Complete Instructional Design Solution60 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

Two Ways to Describe the Same Project5 minutes
Every Career Path Costs Something5 minutes

Instructors

Starweaver

STARWEAVER

645 Courses1,339,668 learners

Gaurav Kumar Verma

STARWEAVER

1 Course8 learners

Offered by

STARWEAVER

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Frequently asked questions

Instructional design is the systematic process of creating effective learning experiences. It begins by analyzing learner needs and the gap between current and desired performance, moves through designing, developing, and delivering the learning solution, and ends by evaluating whether learners achieved the intended objectives. Instructional Design Foundations Certification introduces the profession in Module 1.

ADDIE is an instructional system design model with five phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Instructional Design Foundations Certification teaches it phase by phase: analysis (Module 1), design (Module 2), development (Module 3), and implementation and evaluation (Module 4), for aspiring designers, career changers, educators, and L&D professionals.

An instructional designer analyzes what learners need, designs the learning solution, builds the materials, and evaluates the results. The course gives practice in each step through hands-on activities: learner persona development (Module 1), storyboards (Module 2), a quality assurance checklist (Module 3), and a complete instructional design project plan (Module 4).

The fundamentals of instructional design are knowing your learner, setting measurable objectives, choosing strategies and content, building accessible materials, and evaluating results, usually organized through the ADDIE model. Instructional Design Foundations Certification teaches each, with Bloom's Taxonomy for objectives and Kirkpatrick's Model for evaluation.

No. They are related but serve different goals: UX design makes a digital product easy to use, while instructional design helps people learn through objectives, strategies, and evaluation. Both center the people they design for, starting with audience research and improving through feedback. The course covers learner personas, storyboards, and WCAG accessibility standards, which also appear in UX practice.

Most instructional design roles require at least a bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, educational technology, or a related field, and some surveys find many practicing designers hold a master's. Employers also weigh portfolios. The course is beginner level, offers a shareable certificate rather than a degree, and Module 5 helps you build a portfolio.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.