Do you need an instructional design degree? This is an argument that comes up about every 3-4 months in the instructional design field. This time it's on Tom Kuhlmann's Rapid eLearning Blog. Tom does a good job of indicating how you can do it without a degree and the benefits of getting a degree.
I'm not doubting the skills of the many that have commented about how they have succeeded without a degree, but also have some thoughts about why a degree is necessary.
For those that have been working in the field for a while, the need for a degree is most likely not as important, especially if you're someone who's not "afraid" of technology or experimenting with new ideas. But, if you're looking to move positions in the company or move to a new company, that degree may be handy.
If you are a career changer or careet starter, YOU NEED A DEGREE! You will not get the breadth of knowledge that you will receive in a graduate degree program from books, tutorials and social networks. You may be able to develop a specific expertise, but what happens when the next project isn't exactly like the project before it?
Degree or not, you need to keep learning in this field. So, even if you don't feel the degree is required, it would benefit you to get it . . . or at least take some classes. Formal, credit classes can be another tool in your personal learning. If you're not participating in some sort of professional development on at least a yearly basis, you are not going to advance your practice in the field.
Finally, whether you agree with any of my previous statements or not, I suggest we think of our profession as a whole when having this debate.
The instructional design field will not advance nor will the ID position indicate any expertise, specific skillset or explicit value to those outside the discipline until those doing the work are properly and similarly credentialed.
Could you imagine Architects or Accountants having this discussion?
Yes, there is "Trainer." But, that's outdated. Otherwise, an instructional designer in one organization is most likely not doing the same tasks, nor requires the same skillset as an instructional design in another organization in the current environment.
Maybe a degree isn't the ultimate indicator, but at least a recognized national certification is needed so that others know what we do and that "you" have undergone some type of preparation to do it.
Unfortunately, this national standard does not currently exist.
Posts
Resolution to Reduce Time
6 years ago
I wasn't able to comment from work. Darned IE7. I agree with your assessment. There isn't a consistent yardstick to measure qualification or performance. We've also tended to conflate and mash-up skill categories to the point where we've ended up with a very, very confused group of professionals.
ReplyDeleteIt's often hard to tell what ISD actually means, because depending on where you are they could be practically anything... In this situation there's no solving the credibility problem And in the situation where degree programs don't have a consistent output and the field is stuffed with identity confused folks, there is little hope for any kind of credible professional unification.
Accountants and lawyers can obtain their certifications without an education. It isn't easy. But it is possible given the consistent standards of each of these fields.
In my opinion, first we need to figure out exactly what an ISD is and does... My feel is that an ISD isn't the jack of all trades that we've seen our schools preparing for. Perhaps a hub and spoke qualification would help to focus the craft. At the core we see two things:
1) The science of learning
2) Performance problem solving
And. Nothing. Else. No Photoshop. No multimedia. None of that peripheral distraction that dilutes the core of the craft.
One spoke could focus on eLearning type outputs with one or more sub-focus areas. Another spoke on k-12 academics. So ISD begins to look more like what happens to a doctor after they get through their residency. They focus on a specialty.
Perhaps ISD shouldn't be a Masters level degree at all. Perhaps an undergrad level platform would better serve the field with Masters level determining the specialty and post-grad determining a hard push in the specialization.
Things are out of whack now. I'm sad for many of the folks that have spent so much money on education just to be professionally confused.
Good stuff, Andy. I'm one of those multi-educated but un-degree'd practitioners. I'm good at what I do. But I'm hesitant to leap into the whole degree program for a variety of reasons. Some of which I list above.
If the industry healed itself and started eating its own dog food, I'd be far less apprehensive.
Companies hiring ISD professsionals are also professionally confused as well. All you have to do is read the job description of an Instructional Designer. In what degree program will you learn Flash, Captivate, Articulate, LMS administration, elearning principles, adult learning...shall I go on? This is what organizations look for in an Instructional Designer now. And, so, ISD professionals try to match these qualifications in order to be competitive.
ReplyDeleteI see your point Ken. I've seen this in a few places and I'm guessing that's a significant contributing factor to the mass confusion.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much impact a professional set of measurement standards might have on unrealistic and counterproductive position descriptions?
I would hope that things haven't spun too far out of control:)