Instructional Design

Certain considerations have to be made when designing a multimedia application for learning, one such consideration is Instructional Design.

Instructional designers often use technology and multimedia as methods for delivering instruction. Instructional Design is the analysis of learning needs and systematic development of instruction, and provides a step-by-step system for the evaluation of students' needs, the design and development of training materials, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the training intervention.

“Instructional Design is the systematic development of instructional

specifications using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality

of instruction. It is the entire process of analysis of learning needs and

goals and the development of a delivery system to meet those needs. It

includes development of instructional materials and activities; and tryout

and evaluation of all instruction and learner activities.”
http://www.coe.uh.edu/courses/cuin6373/whatisid.html

Good instructional design includes a thorough analysis of all aspects of the learning program, and instructional design models typically specify a method, that if followed will easily allow the transfer of knowledge, skills and attitude to the recipient or acquirer of the instruction.
Perhaps the most common model used for creating instructional materials is the ADDIE Model. This acronym stands for the 5 phases contained in the model:

• Analyze - analyze learner characteristics, task to be learned, etc.
• Design - develop learning objectives, choose an instructional approach
• Develop - create instructional or training materials
• Implement - deliver or distribute the instructional materials
• Evaluate - make sure the materials achieved the desired goals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_Design)

“The design phase documents specific learning objectives, assessment
instruments, exercises, and content. The actual creation of learning materials
is completed in the development phase. During implementation, these
materials are delivered or distributed to the student group. After delivery, the
effectiveness of the training materials is evaluated.”
(http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art2_1.htm)