Instructional Design in the Academic Library

The academic library is distinctive in its mission to:

• provide access to information
• instruct members of its community to manage and apply information in the context of scholarly pursuits.

Concepts of instructional design have been implemented in academic libraries for years - in active learning methods, in establishing multi-layered information literacy programs, in assessment plans, etc. As technology both facilitates and complicates information management, the academic library can benefit from dedicated instructional design skills to ensure that library instruction programs are:

• strategically aligned with institutional goals
• based on effective pedagogy
• offer clear content
• accessible in a variety of formats.

One of the most commonly recognized instructional design models is ADDIE - Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation. I view ADDIE as a basis for all project management, whether for instructional projects or for implementing new search interfaces. Thus, this portfolio is organized according to the ADDIE elements. ADDIE is not necessarily hierarchical but logically uses data output from one phase to inform the next. Any practitioner also knows the value of flexibility but ADDIE provides a framework and lexicon to guide project collaborators to a successful end.

The most important task of the Instructional Designer in the academic library is to ensure that instruction, in all of its forms, is intentional, user-centered, and subject to a regular cycle of evaluation. I have served in various positions in Hesburgh Libraries since 2001. As I worked on completing the MS Ed degree in Instructional Systems Technology, I was able to apply and integrate new knowledge into my work projects.

Detailed examples of my work are linked from each of the ADDIE elements pages, accessible from the left navigation block.