As a freelance instructional designer, you are no stranger to managing multiple projects, deadlines, and clients all while trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, with so many tasks at hand, managing your time and prioritizing your workload can be overwhelming. In this article, we will explore some effective strategies that can help you manage your time and prioritize your tasks as a freelance instructional designer while minimizing stress. These strategies will help you stay on top of your workload and achieve your goals efficiently. 12 Expert Strategies to Manage Time and Prioritize Tasks 1. Set clear goals and priorities - To effectively manage your time and workload as a freelance instructional designer, it is crucial to set clear goals and priorities. Start by identifying your goals and objectives for each project, and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Once you have a list of all the tasks you need to complete, assign a priority level to each … [Read more...] about Managing Time and Prioritizing Tasks as a Freelance Instructional Designers
eLearning
Transferable Skills for Teachers
Teaching and instructional design share many similarities, including the goal of creating effective learning experiences for learners. Therefore, it is no surprise that many teachers seek to transition into instructional design to expand their career opportunities and apply their skills in a new setting. With a bit of additional training in instructional design principles, teachers can transition into this field and bring their unique perspectives and expertise to create effective and engaging learning experiences for learners of all ages and backgrounds. 7 Skills and Experience Teachers can bring to the world of Instructional Design. 1. Curriculum development - one aspect of instructional design that teachers are already experts in. They have extensive experience in designing and delivering instructional materials, whether in the form of lesson plans, projects, or presentations. Teachers are skilled in creating engaging content that meets the needs of their students … [Read more...] about Transferable Skills for Teachers
How Instructional Designers Can Stay Up-to-date With the Latest Trends and Technologies
Instructional design is an ever-evolving field that requires practitioners to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. As new tools and resources emerge, instructional designers need to have access to the most current information to create effective learning experiences. In this article, we'll explore some of the best tools and resources available for staying up-to-date on the latest instructional design trends and technologies. ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS 1. Online Communities and Forums It's crucial to participate in online forums and communities where you can upgrade your skills. These platforms can offer a plethora of knowledge, tools, and networking opportunities that can help you become recognized as an authority in your profession and develop connections with potential customers. The eLearning Industry is a well-known online community that gives instructional designers access to forums, seminars, and articles about … [Read more...] about How Instructional Designers Can Stay Up-to-date With the Latest Trends and Technologies
How to Price Your Services as a Freelance Instructional Designer
Freelance instructional designers are often faced with the challenge of pricing their services effectively. While it may be tempting to undercharge to attract clients, this can lead to burnout, dissatisfaction, and ultimately, a lack of sustainability in your business. On the other hand, overcharging may result in difficulty attracting clients, creating tension with existing clients, and ultimately, limiting the growth of your business. Pricing your services correctly is a crucial part of building a successful freelance instructional design business. It involves not only determining your worth as a designer but also taking into account market trends, industry standards, and client expectations. Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance between fair compensation for your work and reasonable prices for your clients. In this article, we will explore some effective strategies for pricing your services as a freelance instructional designer. We will delve into the various factors … [Read more...] about How to Price Your Services as a Freelance Instructional Designer
Careers in Instructional Design: Tips for newbies and those transitioning into the field to land that first job
Breaking into a new field of work is always challenging. However, both aspiring newbies and veterans of other fields, looking to transition into the instructional design (ID) must use slightly different approaches to land their first job in their chosen profession. In this post, we’ll cover some of the prerequisites for newbies entering the ID, or those making the transition from other roles, and share some tips on how to make getting that first gig easier. Preparing for a Career in Instructional Design Start exploring your potential as an Instructional Designer early, ideally when you’re about to graduate from high school. While there are various paths to entering the field, many ID professionals start formal education with either a diploma, bachelor’s, or master’s-level studies. Alternatively, you may already have some technical skills or certifications as part of your schooling. You could leverage those credentials and opt for specific tech-based specialization – such as … [Read more...] about Careers in Instructional Design: Tips for newbies and those transitioning into the field to land that first job
Blended learning methods: Combining eLearning with other approaches
Since its inception, back in the 1990s, eLearning has changed the shape of how we teach and learn. Not only has it become one of the most embraced learning modalities; but it has also increased learning engagement, improved knowledge retention and transference, and enhanced L&D team effectiveness. However, eLearning, as a stand-alone learning intervention, isn’t ideal for all learning needs. Often, a blend of learning approaches, together with eLearning, is a more effective learning solution. What is Blended Learning Often, you’ll hear the terms “blended learning” and “hybrid learning” used interchangeably. While this substituted use is “technically” understandable, there is a difference – they are different (though somewhat similar) learning modalities. Hybrid learning allows learners to attend their courses in person, while also enabling them to learn remotely via eLearning. So, if a learner does not wish to participate in today’s lecture in person, he/she may stay at home, … [Read more...] about Blended learning methods: Combining eLearning with other approaches
