Instructional Design is a process that integrates learning theories and frameworks to build learning tools.
It also follows established systems (like ADDIE, or SAM), with a fairly typical process:
- Figuring out what learners need (Needs Analyses)
- Consulting with subject matter experts
- Setting objectives
- Choosing the right method of intégration
- Organising and creating the content
- Evaluating the efficacy of the learning content.
Learning Experience Design focuses on the social emotional aspect of learning, and asks the question, “What does it feel like to learn?”
The goal is to engage the learner, and to make the process intuitive,and enjoyable.
This can be anything from color selection, adaptive layouts, integrating the user in the course development process, to gamifying the course process.
In short, instructional design is more about the what and how of teaching, while learning experience design is about the feel and flow of the learner’s journey.
Although they are separate fields, they both play important roles in creating meaningful learning experiences, and inform my approach to learning projects.