ISD Model

My personal assessment is that the ISD model of designing instruction can be very effective. I have been using it when writing lesson plans without even realizing it. When careful attention to each step is given, the intended results are sure to be reached. The design model contains all of the necessary steps for successful resolution of problems or needs. I feel the model itself is very strong. The weaknesses involved with the model include human error. All too often, we design instruction, and do not follow all of the steps in the process. This human error leads to instructional design flaws not based on the process but with implementation of the ISD process. Sometimes we conduct poor needs analysis, so the instruction is flawed from the start. We are assessing the wrong problem. Often we do not consider the diversity or needs of the learners. Assessment of the instruction and evaluation of the results is usually pass or fail with little reflection on the process. I think this is true in both the educational setting and the business world. In the educational setting, time is the major restraint. Teachers are so busy getting ready for the next day; they do not have time to reflect on the lesson or make improvements. In the business world, I would say that money is the main draw back. Companies often do not want to invest the money to complete all of the steps. Most people are looking for a quick fix to the problem.

How people learn?

I believe that people learn in a variety of ways. Some people are visual learners while others are auditory or tactical learners. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences is a perfect example of this. Some learn best if the material is set to music. Some learn best by doing hands on activities while others still prefer to read. I feel that instructional designers should take into account as many learning styles as possible when designing instruction. If you include lecture, visual aids, a hands on manipulative and or some form of technology in your lesson most of the students will retain the knowledge from the instruction.
I personally like the Constructivism theory. I feel that learners learn best from guided instruction with a gradual transfer of the responsibility for learning from the teacher to the learner. I feel that it is necessary to make connections between the content and the real world. It is important to explain why you need to learn this. In the computer lab, fifth graders learn to type. Many of them were complaining one day because they did not feel that they needed to know how to type. We went into a discussion about what they were going to be when they grew up. For every occupation they came up with, I could identify some form of technology they needed. When they understood why I wanted them to learn it there were no more complaints.
I feel that a good instructional designer will use which ever theory will benefit the students the most according to their learning style.