This post is provided by guest blogger, George Skerritt, graduate student of the University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

To illustrate the importance of systematic instructional design, Joann Major (2017) quotes the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz: “If you don’t know where you’re going, it doesn’t matter what road you take.”  Though the quote happened before Scarecrow had

a brain, it could not be more true.  A systematic approach helps instructional designers “recognize the connection between each component” of the training, while always focusing “on what the learner should be able to know and do” once the training is complete (2017, para. 2).  Therefore, to get to where they should be going, it does matter which road students take!

Evaluation is another key part of any systematic instructional design and planning for it must be done early in the design stage.  Having an evaluation plan in place before the implementation of training allows educators to measure the effectiveness of training and learning as the training is delivered.  If they find something to be improved, they can make changes immediately (Amit, 2015).  The overall effectiveness of the training may even be unknown if not planned for ahead of time.  A systematic approach is needed for all instructional design, including for in-person training, online learning, microlearning and more.

Amit K., S. (2015, July 6). How to create an effective eLearning experience? Retrieved
from https://elearningindustry.com/create-effective-elearning-experience

Major, J. (2017, March 2).  Revisiting the systematic design model.  Retrieved from
https://elearning.adobe.com/2017/03/revisiting-the-systematic-design-model/