The terms Educational Design, Learning Design and Instructional Design

are used interchangeably depending on the work being done and the environment in which it is carried out. A skilled designer in this field can move between all three of these titles within their working life.

Defining Educational Design, Learning Design and Instructional Design

Instructional Design is the practice of maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency and appeal of instruction and other learning experiences. (Wikipedia) These can vary from instructions on how to work the television or instructions in a course on how to manage your investment portfolio.

Learning design might be defined as "the description of the teaching-learning process that takes place in a unit of learning (e.g. a course, a lesson or any other designed learning event)".

The key concern of Educational Designers is to "ensure educational rigour through the integration of appropriate learning theory into the learning materials and events being designed". (Meg O'Reilly)

What are the differences between Educational Design, Learning Design and Instructional Design

These definitions do highlight some differences. An instructional designer may have difficulty carrying out the work of an Educational Designer but may manage Learning Design roles. The Learning Designer can usually carry out the role of an Educational Designer as long as they have formal trailing in the Learning Sciences. Educational Design is at the top of the 'tree' for an Educational Designer definitely needs formal training in learning and teaching as well as current knowledge of the Learning Sciences.

Within universities Educational Design and Learning Design do have some differences. Educational Designers tend to work on a variety of projects from a wide range of subjects whilst Learning Designers focus on one Subject or one course. This means that an Educational Designer needs a great variety of skills to meet the demands of their varied work. The Learning Designer may need to work more closely with the content so would need greater attention to detail.

All three of these roles can be applied to eLearning. eLearning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process. (Wikipedia)

References

Meg O'Reilly Educational design as transdisciplinary partnership: Supporting assessment design for online

Wikipedia Instructional Design

Instructional Design Australia

Instructional Design Australia is based in Brisbane Queensland. It provides Consultancy services in Brisbane and Sydney, online courses in Instructional/Educational/Learning Design.