• Home
• About Us
• Undergraduate Degrees
  • Graphic Design
    • Curriculum
    • Portfolio Review
    • Student Agencies
    • Alumni
  • Instructional Design & Technology
    • Curriculum
    • Student Agency
  • Mass Communication Design
  • Media Arts
    • Curriculum
    • Student Agencies
• Minors & Certificate
• Faculty
• Student Organizations
• Student Portfolio
• Facilities & Resources
  • Tehama 224 & 226 Computer Labs
  • Tehama 348 Writing Lab
  • Tehama 346 Video Editing Lab
  • Plumas 102 Photography Labs
• Contact Us

Instructional Design & Technology

The Future of Learning

The Communication Design Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Instructional Design & Technology.

The practice of instructional design and technology involves analysis, design, development, evaluation, and implementation of solutions that address human performance problems.

Our practice is interdisciplinary, drawing from the disciplines of educational psychology, business and management, media design, evaluation, human performance improvement, and other fields.

Graduates from our program typically find employment in large corporations, smaller consulting firms, non-profit organizations, school districts, and the military. The practice of instructional design involves the application of established and emerging learning technologies such as print, web, DVD, and other digital media. Instructional designers engage in the following key activities when developing training and performance support solutions:

Analysis

This involves investigating the client's impressions of a training or performance problem. Needs assessment clearly defines the current situation, the optimal situation, and the nature of the gap that lies between where the client is and where they want to be. Instructional designers gather information using strategies that can include interviewing employees, reviewing company documentation and observing employee task performance.

Design and Development

If the solution to a given problem involves the design of information products such as training materials, reference materials for use on the job (job aids), videos, presentation materials, etc., Instructional designers lay out the blueprint for design and generate a prototype of the final product for client approval. Typically, they work with a subject matter expert (SME) to clearly define the nature of the materials and create prototypes. Once approved, instructional designers work with teams of media developers to create the final training or performance support product. Typical solutions are delivered in the following formats:

• Classroom-based workshops
• DVD
• CD-ROM
• Web-based e-learning and performance support
• Print-based self-study texts, job aids and posters

Instructional designers also produce blended solutions, combining more than one of the above media types into a product that best meets the client's needs.

Evaluation

Instructional designers conduct ongoing formative evaluation activities throughout the design and development phases of all projects in order to ensure client return on investment (ROI). These activities include subject matter expert review, user testing, and formal alpha and beta testing when necessary. Findings that suggest immediate changes to current designs are brought to your attention as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary projects delays and expense.

In addition to a Bachelor of Science Degree, the Communication Design Department offers a minor in Instructional Design & Technology.