Traditional models, such as ADDIE and Dick and Carrey, and their core features are foundational in instructional design. However, newer approaches can address contemporary learning environments and technologies just as well.
As changes are happening at a different speed in the 2020s, consider embracing them rather than waiting for the right moment. The best is always to start now.
After all, there’s a new way to ensure faster course development, known as the iterative design process. Here’s everything you should know about this test-and-learn approach.
What is an Iterative Design Process?
An iterative design process in learning stands for continuously refining instructional materials and experiences through development, testing, and feedback cycles. L&D professionals begin by creating an initial version of the course or learning module, defining objectives, creating learning content, and designing assessments.
The next step is to pilot this prototype with a small group of learners and understand whether it’s effective, clear, and engaging. Next, L&D professionals systemically collect feedback through surveys, interviews, and observations to identify what requires tweaks.
- Initial Development: The first step is to design a preliminary version of the course or learning module, set clear learning objectives, and outline the content and assessment methods.
- Pilot Testing: L&D professionals then test the initial version with a small group of learners to compile feedback on its effectiveness, engagement, and clarity of instructional materials.
- Feedback Collection: They collect data through surveys, interviews, and direct observation to understand what worked well and what needs more work.
Based on this feedback, L&D professionals analyze data patterns and adjust the course content, instructional methods, and assessment strategies. They implement these refined elements with a larger learner group, using ongoing formative assessments to monitor progress and gather additional insights.
The iterative cycle continues throughout the course’s lifecycle, ensuring that educational materials continuously correspond with learner needs and advancements in the education sphere.
When Should L&D Professionals Use Iterative Design Process?
The iterative design process is the best method when L&D professionals need to develop and hone training programs while working on a tight deadline. This test-and-learn approach is ideal when working with new technologies or instructional methods that require frequent adjustments tailored to learner feedback.
L&D professionals can continuously test and refine learning content to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the training materials don’t fade with time. For instance, the iterative design process allows for quick modifications when the target audience has diverse needs or learners seem to have varying levels of understanding.
Projects with tight deadlines benefit immensely from agile instructional design. Instead of waiting for a complete design, L&D professionals can build, test, and improve smaller components incrementally. Thanks to this, the training program evolves steadily, meeting project timelines without compromising quality.
However, iterative design is valuable when launching pilot programs. L&D professionals can deploy initial versions to a small group and rely on their feedback for further improvements. As a result, they’ll minimize the risk of large-scale rollouts with untested materials and augment the final program’s effectiveness.
Benefits of Iterative Design Process
Here are the most common advantages of using the iterative design process in learning.
1. Continuous Improvement
Agile instructional design requires repeatedly testing and refining instructional materials to pinpoint and address potential issues on time. Thanks to this approach, L&D professionals ensure more effective learning experiences, as each iteration builds on feedback and data from previous cycles, allowing for adjustments that better meet learners’ needs.
2. Greater Flexibility
Traditional instructional design models often involve lengthy upfront planning, which can be rigid and challenging to modify once the course is underway. On the flip side, the iterative design allows for ongoing adjustments, which is increasingly valuable today, as technological advancements and changing learner needs require quick adaptation.
3. Active Learner Involvement
Throughout the process, learners can share their experiences and thoughts on the instructional materials. L&D professionals can use these to improve the learning programs immediately.
Seeing that their feedback makes a difference will make learners feel valued, cultivating a higher motivation.
4. Real-world Application
Iterative design often includes practical, hands-on learning activities that L&D professionals can test and refine in each cycle. Doing so allows them to create theoretically sound and practical instructional materials relevant to learners’ real-life contexts. Moreover, this bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making the learning experience more meaningful.
5. Cost-effectivenessÂ
It’s vital to identify and address issues early on in the development process to avoid costly overhauls later. Since the test-and-learn approach requires ongoing evaluation and refinement, L&D professionals will use resources more efficiently and reduce the risk of investing in ineffective instructional materials.
6. Innovation
Regular experimentation and adaptation allow designers to explore new ideas and approaches without committing to them fully from the outset. Having such freedom at their disposal can lead to more creative and effective instructional solutions that might not emerge from a more traditional, linear design process.
7. Balance Between Instructional Goals and Outcomes
One of the main benefits of the iterative design process is that designers can make data-driven decisions to fine-tune the content and ensure that it effectively supports learners in achieving their goals.
Practical Steps to Implement an Iterative Design Process
Take the following steps to ensure an effective iterative design process.
1. Prepare for Creating a Well-Rounded Course
Start by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including instructional designers, subject matter experts, and potential learners. Work closely as a team to outline the main goals, establish clear timelines, and set specific milestones. Use this phase to build a solid foundation for the next steps and ensure everyone understands and agrees on the project’s scope and objectives.
2. Create an Effective Prototype
Move forward with developing the initial course content, materials, and other relevant details. Use prototyping tools and software to build tangible prototypes of various course components, like modules or lessons.Â
Think of these as working drafts that you can test and improve based on learners’ feedback. Create these prototypes early so instructional designers can clearly visualize and tweak course elements before moving on to full-scale development.
3. Run Pilot Testing to Address and Prevent Stumbling Blocks
Try out your prototypes with a group of learners to see how they interact with the materials. Collect feedback on what works and what doesn’t in terms of usability, engagement, relevance, and effectiveness. Mix up your assessment methods—use surveys, focus groups, and usability tests—to gather both detailed opinions and hard data. Analyze this feedback to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement in your course design.
4. Assess Results
Evaluate the data and feedback you’ve gathered from learners and stakeholders. Look for recurring themes and patterns to get insights into how well your course design is working. This step is crucial for making smart decisions about refining and optimizing course content, instructional strategies, and assessments. Skipping this can make it tough to align the course with the desired learning outcomes.
5. Edit and Iterate
Refinements might involve updating the content, changing up teaching methods, or tweaking assessment strategies based on the feedback you get. Go through these changes step by step to make sure each improvement works and that the course keeps evolving to meet learners’ needs and hit educational goals.
6. Implement and Monitor
Once you’re confident that the course design and improvements are ready, go ahead with the full-scale rollout. Keep a close eye on the course during the initial rollout to catch any unexpected challenges or issues.Â
Tools and Technologies for Iterative Design
Various tools and platforms facilitate iterative design, with the following being the most common:
Prototyping Tools
L&D professionals benefit from using top-notch prototyping tools to materialize course content and user interfaces. Tools like Adobe XD and Sketch are great for quickly whipping up interactive prototypes. This way, stakeholders get a hands-on feel for the course layout and functionality right from the start, making it easier to collect feedback and make the necessary improvements, even before diving into full-scale development.
Learning Management Systems
An LMS serves as the main hub for managing course content, learner interactions, and assessments. Platforms like Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard offer robust features that facilitate content updates based on feedback and performance analytics. They also support collaboration among instructional designers, educators, and learners throughout the entire iterative process.
Collaboration and Communication Tools
Apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace allow real-time communication, file sharing, and project management. These tools enable learners, instructors, and team members to chat instantly, share files, and coordinate projects effectively.
Version Control Systems
Git and GitHub come in handy for L&D professionals when it comes to handling changes in course materials. With these tools, you can keep tabs on revisions, make teamwork smoother, and ensure your content versions stay on point. If you ever need to backtrack to an earlier version, Git makes it easy. It keeps a neat record of all changes and makes it straightforward to add new stuff or tweak existing features as you go.
Authoring Tools
These tools make it easier to create and tweak digital learning content. For instance, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Lectora Inspire have user-friendly interfaces and ready-made templates that help design interactive lessons and assessments.
Analytics and Data Tools
Tools such as Google Analytics, xAPI (Experience API), and Learning Record Stores (LRS) track how learners interact with course content. This data helps L&D professionals make iterative improvements, such as adjusting difficulty levels, refining content delivery methods, or personalizing learning pathways based on learner behavior.
Simulation and VR Tools
Learners get to practice their skills in a safe, controlled environment with VR platforms like Oculus and HTC Vive. Moreover, L&D professionals can edit courses based on learner feedback using iterative design with VR tools, testing out different scenarios along the way.
Accessibility and Compliance Tools
L&D professionals must make sure their content meets accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Tools like AXE, Wave, and Siteimprove are handy for checking accessibility. They help detect issues like color contrast problems or screen reader compatibility, offering suggestions on how to fix and improve these aspects.
Conclusion
Although introducing the iterative learning design process may sound like a drastic shift compared to traditional systems, it allows you to develop faster and reduce risks. Instead of continuously working with the same materials, you can rely on learner feedback to adapt the prototype. This way, you’ll always have a course that matches the goals and expectations of your learners.
