Technical Writing and Instructional Design: A great confluence! Madhu G

Session Objective After this session, you will be able to: Understand the role of an Instructional Designer (ID). Use some of the key aspects of Instructional Design to plan and build better content.

Instructional Design Analysis of learning needs. Development of instructions/content. Evaluation of learning outcomes. Where: Instruction - arrangement of information and environment to facilitate learning. Learning - development of new knowledge, skills, or attitudes as an individual interacts with information and the environment.

History The web and beyond – 1990’s to date Instructional media – 1940’s WW II – Instructional materials to train soldiers Programmed instruction and task analysis – 1950’s B. F. Skinner stated behavioral objectives Instructional systems development – 1960’s Instructional materials for public education ID models and maturation – 1970’s Increased use of cognitive psychology Microcomputers – 1980’s The web and beyond – 1990’s to date

Instructional Design Process Cognitive approach: Study of human behaviour.  Learning experience: Learning is treated as an experience. Learning theories: Use of many learning theories and methodologies. Learning outcomes: The bottom-up approach.

Key ID Deliverables Audience Analysis Report. Objective. Instructional strategy. Design document. Storyboard. Exercises/Assignment.

Key End Products Slides for Instructor Led Training (ILT). Participant/Instructor Guide. Web Based Tutorials (WBT) and e-learning.

Common Aspects – ID and TW Audience analysis. Input collection. Information design.

ID can help TW ID Principles Analysis Phase Development Delivery Evaluation

Content Analysis Phase Creating user profiles. Identifying delivery options.

User Profiles Ask questions (Interviews, Surveys, and Social Media). Understand how users consume and implement instructions. Create profiles. Study the demographics.

Delivery Options Create delivery options according to the requirement. Map different type of delivery types against each user profile and the type of product. Automotive assembly training Pilot training Process related training Application help Technical training Augmented reality modules Virtual reality modules E-learning modules PDF/HTML documents Classroom sessions

Content Development Phase Blooms’ taxonomy and content mapping. Learning outcomes. Learning constraints.

Blooms’ Taxonomy for Cognitive Learning Bloom’s Taxonomy is a chart of learning levels. 1913-1999 Named after the creator, Dr. Benjamin Bloom An arrangement of ideas or a way to group things together.

Blooms’ Taxonomy – Learning Levels Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation list, define, tell, identify, show, label, collect, examine, quote, name, who, when, where. describe, interpret, contrast, associate, distinguish, discuss, extend. apply, demonstrate, complete, illustrate, solve, modify, experiment. analyze, separate, order, connect, classify, arrange, divide, compare. combine, integrate, rearrange, substitute, plan, create, design, invent, compose, formulate, rewrite. assess, decide, rank, grade, test, measure, recommend, convince, judge, explain, conclude.

Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy – Anderson and Krathwohl Knowledge Remember Comprehension Understand Application Apply Analysis Analyse Evaluation Evaluate Synthesis Create

Think ID

Content Mapping and Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy Instructional Design Remember Understand Apply Analyze Technical Writing Concept Reference Task Tables/Illustrations

Use Learning Outcomes The bottom-up approach. Think about the outcomes. Develop content.

Example Learning outcome: The user should be able to understand about Cloud Computing and its services.

Example Technical Writing Instructional Design Cloud Computing (CC) Remember Understand Apply Analyze Technical Writing Concept Reference Task Block/Arch Diagrams Cloud Computing (CC) What is CC? Why is it used? Advantages? How to get the service? Different network elements.

Study Learning Constraints Using the user profiles, study the blockers. Provide your input to fix the design. Fine-tune the content.

Content Delivery Choose the right delivery type as per the user profile. Deliver and archive the content.

Evaluation Phase Collect feedback from various users and stakeholders. Evaluate and modify content.

Summary Thinking like an ID enhances your thought process during content design. Helps you perform audience analysis in a better way, from a learning perspective. Helps you create and present information in a more result-oriented way. All these steps lead to improved customer documentation.

Thank you!