In contrast to normative ethics, which emphasizes determining whether a person or action is good or bad and developing codes to govern individual behaviors, applied ethics focuses on the application of ethics to real-world problems and contexts of practice (Ethics Unwrapped, n.d.). In design-oriented disciplines such as instructional design and…

This study examined dynamic decision-making processes at three different levels in the field of instructional design (ID): (a) for managers of instructional designers (IDers) at the institutional level, (b) for Senior IDers at the program level, and (c) for IDers at the course level. This qualitative study utilized collaborative autoethnography…

This paper examines design decisions that were written down and enacted by learning design practitioners across 18 projects at a postsecondary institution. Through emergent coding of decisions recorded in a Learning Engineering Evidence and Decision (LEED) tracker in situ, this research answers 3 questions: (1) how do practitioners track and cite…

This exploratory qualitative study examined how instructional designers use data to make decisions during the instructional design process. Participants included full-time instructional designers (n = 9) who were involved in one or more phases of the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) across different job sectors,…

In this theoretical paper, we advocate for educational researchers to embrace co-design as a means of fostering sustainable solutions in educational settings. While co-design has been increasingly recognized for its collaborative potential, we suggest that its effectiveness can be further enhanced by drawing from three complementary perspectives:…

As part of a larger study (Boling et al., 2024a, b), this paper reports on how instructional designers define and use precedent knowledge, including its sources, forms, and role in decision-making. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with instructional designers from higher education and non-profit professional…

Instructional design practices consist of design decisions. It often comprises decisions across analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. This paper presents the findings of a scoping review that explored how decision-making is discussed in learning design research over the past four decades. This scoping review of research…

Decision-making in learning design involves a complex, dynamic and multifaceted process. This process takes place within an ecosystem where decisions in one area influence others, emphasizing the non-linear and interconnected nature of the process. The dynamic nature of decision-making needs to be discussed through the partnerships between…

The increasing ubiquity of digital technologies in the twenty-first century has led to calls for education reform focused on digital literacy, but what exactly does this term mean? The concept of digital literacy has evolved much since its evolution from media and new literacies scholarship, resulting in a myriad of definitions. Previous attempts…

As higher education institutions increasingly expand their online course offerings, the role of instructional designers in enhancing instructional quality and effectiveness becomes critical. This study surveyed practicing instructional designers to explore the specific tasks they perform performed in higher education and identifies factors that…

This narrative autoethnography explores how non-normative decision-making processes within higher education institutions impact instructional designers' work. Drawing on 13 months of reflective journaling, the author examines their experience navigating a university operating as an organized anarchy through the lens of Cohen et al.'s (1972)…

This developmental study explores the process and outcomes of creating an active learning classroom within a higher education setting. To support student success, institutions have increasingly redesigned their learning spaces to promote active learning. Early initiatives often aimed to facilitate collaborative learning and reduce reliance on…

K-12 educators must effectively integrate technology and teach across face-to-face, blended, and online learning environments. However, many teacher preparation programs are ill-equipped to support the development of deep educational technology skills in preservice teachers. Therefore, new methods for preparing preservice teachers for their future…

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, we are witnessing an unprecedented surge in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This rapid surge necessitates a thorough exploration of how faculty members, instructional designers, and researchers adopt AI, especially GenAI, using learning design practices. The present research study…

During young adolescence, many youth develop strong identities in relation to science, technology, engineering and mathematics with computing (STEM + C). One way to design for student engagement in STEM + C is to create project-based units that leverage students' interests. We created one such unit, called the "smart greenhouse project".…