Ashley Chiasson, M.Ed

Instructional Designer & Consultant

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Free Download: Course Development Plan Template

I’ve been working in higher education for awhile now, and one thing that I always found helpful when working with faculty is to provide them with a template to guide their development. This template would at least inform that with regard to what I needed from them to facilitate putting their course online.

Through the years I have had face-to-face faculty members tell me that they’d like to have a copy of the template as it would help them build out their weekly course content, and it has become a tool that I distribute and share as often as I can. If I can help make an instructor’s life easier, it will help make mine easier! With that being said, I thought I would share a free course development plan template! Click the image below to download the template, or click here.

Feel free to share this resource with anyone you think might find it helpful.

Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Instructional Design, I have a 60+ lesson course, Essentials of Instructional Design that you can check out.

Check it out on Sprout E-Learning!

If you’re on the fence, be sure to check out the Course Outline and Course Brochure!

Screencast: Removing Lesson Numbers in Articulate Rise

In today’s screencast, I’m showing you how to remove lesson numbers in Articulate Rise.

Check out the screencast below:

Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Instructional Design, I have a 60+ lesson course, Essentials of Instructional Design that you can check out. You can save $150 on this course until August 14th.

Check it out on Sprout E-Learning!

If you’re on the fence, be sure to check out the Course Outline and Course Brochure!

Screencast: Searching an Articulate Rise Course

In today’s screencast, I’m showing you how you can easily search content within an Articulate Rise course.

Check out the screencast below:

Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Instructional Design, I have a 60+ lesson course, Essentials of Instructional Design that you can check out. You can save $150 on this course until August 14th.

Check it out on Sprout E-Learning!

If you’re on the fence, be sure to check out the Course Outline and Course Brochure!

Screencast: Allow Students to Mark Lesson Completion in Articulate Rise

In today’s screencast, I’m showing you how you can adjust your Rise course settings to allow students to mark lesson completion.

Check out the screencast below:

Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Instructional Design, I have a 60+ lesson course, Essentials of Instructional Design that you can check out. You can save $150 on this course until August 14th.

Check it out on Sprout E-Learning!

If you’re on the fence, be sure to check out the Course Outline and Course Brochure!

3 Tips for Submitting Speaking Proposals to L&D Events

I’ve spoken at a number of Learning and Development (L&D) events, and while I’ve never sat on a proposal selection committee, I have a few tips to share based on my experiences. If you’re interested in submitting a speaking proposal, DO IT! Seriously – the worst that can happen is that your session won’t get selected; no harm, no foul. Here are three quick tips for submitting your proposals to L&D events:

1.Review Trends

The first thing I do each year when it comes time to submit speaking proposals is to look at the topics from several like-conferences (e.g., DevLearn/ATD ICE/Learning Solutions) for the past few years. This helps me review popular trends in sessions that were successfully added to conference programs.

In reviewing trends, I also note who is delivering sessions that are similar in topic to the one I wish to submit. The reason I do this is to 1) differentiate my session description and outcomes to leverage it against competition, and 2) avoid wasted effort – what I mean by this is that if an industry heavy-hitter has consistently delivered a specific session each year for several years, I will avoid submitting a proposal that closely resembles elements covered within theirs as they are most likely to be chosen over me (if they submit on that topic again…which is always a risk).

2.Identify a Need

In reviewing trends you will be able to identify pockets of like-sessions. Here, you are essentially doing a mini-needs assessment by looking at the gaps in the conference program. How can you fill these gaps? Submit speaking proposals that will allow you to bridge a conference program gap as there will be a higher likelihood that your proposal will be accepted if it’s differentiated from all of the other submissions.

For example, In October I will deliver a pre-conference certificate workshop at DevLearn 18: Introduction to Instructional Design. The reason I submitted to deliver this workshop is that I had observed many sessions related to Instructional Design, but they ran the gamut and none were specifically targeted at the introductory level or at providing a comprehensive overview of the field as a whole. I identified a need, and my proposal was accepted.

3.Create a Catchy Title

This isn’t a requirement, as can be illustrated with my Introduction to Instructional Design workshop. However, it can help set your proposal apart from similar proposals submitted by people other than you. Think about pop culture and maintain some level of sanitation or appropriateness.

For example, this year at DevLearn18, I’m also delivering a Bring Your Own Device session, called “Let’s Get Variable”, which is a play on a very dated Olivia Newton John song (Physical). I don’t know if the session title got it selected or not, but I’m sure it didn’t hurt.

Don’t Forget!

If you’re interested in learning more about Instructional Design, head over to Sprout E-Learning to check out Essentials of Instructional Design.

Check it out on Sprout E-Learning!

If you’re on the fence, be sure to check out the Course Outline and Course Brochure!

Top 3 Instructional Design Interview Tips

You’ve been hunting for an Instructional Design gig and have finally secured an interview – congratulations! Here are some of my top Instructional Design interview tips – I hope they help, and be sure to comment below if you have any other questions.

Note: I’ve been a panel member on hiring committees for many Instructional Designers throughout my career, so these tips come based on things I’ve learned from interviewing others as well as interviewing for positions myself.

1.Be Able to Talk the Talk (and back it up)

Having a formal background in education (e.g., Bachelor of Education, Masters of Education, or diploma/certificate related to Instructional Design) doesn’t hurt and will definitely provide you with a leg up on other applicants who are without such education, but it’s not necessary. Many Instructional Designers are accidental and have become successful in their roles through on-the-job training. If that’s you’re situation, don’t let that deter you from applying to positions!

The key here, regardless of your education, is to be able to talk the talk, and back it up. What do I mean by that? Most Instructional Design interviews I’ve been a part of ask questions related to learning theories, Instructional Design processes, and instructional strategies. These are things that as an Instructional Designer you will use daily, but likely subconsciously, so before you head into an interview, brush up on things like:

  • Blooms Taxonomy
  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  • Behaviourism/Cognitivism/Constructivism
  • Rapid Prototyping/Storyboarding
  • How you work through Instructional Design projects (step-by-step)

If you’re new to Instructional Design or need to brush up on the theory, check out Essentials of Instructional Design, a 10-module comprehensive course covering the end-to-end process of Instructional Design.

2.Have a Portfolio

I’ve been beating a dead horse for YEARS about the necessity of having a portfolio. Even if you don’t do much in terms of development, you can showcase different elements of your Instructional Design career, such as storyboards, graphics, etc. If you do development, showcase samples of projects you’ve built out. Very few interviewees I’ve encountered have had a prepared portfolio ready to go, and most roles I’ve encountered now request one.

A portfolio will definitely boost your chances of securing a gig, because you’re not just talking about things you’ve done, you’re showing them! You’re providing proof that you’re an exceptional Instructional Designer, and that you’re not just fluffing yourself up.

I won’t drone on about portfolios, but if you want to learn more, check out some of my previous posts:

2.Do Some Research!

This could be research related to Instructional Design or just the organization or institution you’re interviewing at. I’ve been floored by interviewees you can’t answer basic questions (or even muster trying to answer the questions) about the organization/institution or why they want to work for the organization/institution. Coming in for any role unprepared really doesn’t do yourself any favours. Some applicants will be able to answer these questions (to the best of their abilities) and it will make them look more desirable than those who come unprepared.

In terms of Instructional Design, I would recommend also researching some recent studies or industry articles so that you’re familiar with things that are going on in the industry and/or are more familiar with current terminology (especially important if you’re applying for your next Instructional Design role after working within the same role for many years).