Keeping up with Instructional Design and Technology Competencies

Presenters: Albert Ritzhaupt & Florence Martin

Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) as a profession is constantly evolving as new pedagogies (e.g., flipped classroom), technologies (e.g., generative artificial intelligence), and strategies (e.g., microlearning) are introduced into different types of learning environments (e.g., military, K-12, business, etc.) with diverse learners. There are several practitioner roles connected to our discipline, including instructional designers, instructors, educational technologists, chief learning officers, and other learning and development professionals such as the emerging role of learning experience designers. Given the field is in constant flux, we need to periodically examine the competencies of these professionals to meet the demands of the workplace, ensure our academic programs are best preparing aspiring IDT professionals, and to ensure the ongoing professional development needs of our practitioners.

This session will introduce participants to contemporary research on the competencies of professionals who participate in the field of IDT. We will first explore the concept of a competency and competency model, review the recent history of research competencies of IDT professionals, outline contemporary professional competencies emerging from research about IDT professionals, and connect the significance of the work to the roles of academic institutions, professional associations, and organizations who hire IDT professionals. We will conclude with closing remarks about the future of IDT professionals across wide range of settings we serve.

Brief Bio

Albert D. Ritzhaupt is a Professor of Educational Technology and Computer Science Education at the University of Florida, a member of the Institute for Advanced Learning Technologies (IALT), a research member of the Florida Center for Instructional Technology (FCIT), and the President of the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI).

Florence Martin is a Professor of Learning, Design and Technology at North Carolina State University. Dr. Martin engages in research to create transformative learning experiences through effective design and integration of digital teaching and learning innovations. Dr. Martin served as the President of the Division of Distance Learning and Multimedia Production Division for Association for Educational Communications and Technology, and as a Board of Director for International Board for Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction.