Information/Instructional Design: Definition

Information/Instructional Design is the procedure by which instruction is refined through the examination of learning needs and systems of learning materials. Instructional designers commonly use technology and multimedia as tools to improve the communication of instruction.

According to Wikipedia, Instructional Design is the practice of creating instructional tools and content to help facilitate learning most effectively. The process consists broadly of determining the current state and needs of the learner, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating some "intervention" to assist in the transition (URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_design)

Furthermore, the website http://www.uab.edu/uasomume/cdm/id.htm breaks down instructional design in more detail:

Three Purposes of the Instructional Design Process

1. To identify the outcomes of the instruction

2. To guide the developing the instructional content (scope and sequence)

3. To establish how instructional effectiveness will be evaluated.

Stages of Instructional Design

Stage 1: Define instructional goals.

Stage 2: Conduct an instructional analysis

Stage 3: Identify entry behaviors/learner characteristics 

Stage 4:  Develop performance objectives.

Stage 5:  Select an instructional method.

Stage 6:  Assemble instructional material.

Stage 7:  Plan and conduct formative evaluation.

Stage 8:  Plan and conduct summative evaluation.