ID Musings: How do ID’s balance in the different stakeholder interests?

As a teacher and department chair, it waa my job to be inspiring and lead students and department members towards “a better future”. That is not corporate ID work so far, in my humble experience. Often, we are hired by others to promote their corporate vision, and to create what they cannot, or for which they just do not have time. But why can’t it be Inspiring?

I was asked recently how an ID creates effective learning and what my thought processes are to complete a task.

In 2018, I was introduced to design thinking by a the member of the Ontario Ministry of Education Research and Innovation team.

I haven’t looked back. Design thinking resonates with me. Empathy for others. It goes back to that old adage, "you can't understand someone until you walk a mile in their shoes."

Design Thinking isn't just a learning theory or instructional design framework to follow. It has become a way of being and interacting with others, work related, or not. But as an Instructional Designer working primarily over Zoom and Teams during a pandemic, it is a way of being.

So I am the least "woo hoo airy dreamy" person on the planet, but I believe in kindness, empathy and just being and treating all people on this planet BETTER.

How does being a design thinking instructional designer impact professional practice?

It’s about research. Ask questions. Find out the wants and needs of all stakeholders. Live and bring empathy to all: corporate bosses, employers, employees and learners. However, one mustn’t forget the the vision of ones employer is paramount. As ID’s our jobs are to make our employers look good while helping our learners be the best they can be in the SEEMINGLY easiest way possible.

How? By providing all with clear standardss and learning structures. But leave room to discuss and ask questions.

The goal is to provide opportunities to listen when the learners are struggling and change course and find a new way of doing and thinking about things to help them be successful.

The ananlogy it takes a village to raise a child is so true. Design thinking is about shifting course suddenly and quickly to meet the needs of the learner before they get frustrated, shut down and tune out. The stakes are high in corporate and higher education instructional design. We lose money and funding when our learners become disengaged, drop out, even fail. It’s on us to ensure corporate success.

But what is the design thinking cycle to ensures this success?

Being an ID is a constant research and assessment job, just like when we were in the classroom. Not only are we consummate customer service representatives (anyone ever read between the lines on their child’s report card?) So gather your research from your corporate stakeholders, employers, learners, subject matter experts... and make some magic happen.