Learning Experience Design vs Instructional Design (Part 3)
In the previous edition of “The Saturday Designers Club”, I started talking about the age-old topic “LXD vs ID”.
Let’s do a bit of a recap.
In part (i), I started by breaking down each of the terms, i.e looking at each of them separately.
For example, I found the Oxford definition of “instruction” and “experience”, so that there is a better understanding of each of the standout words in the title.
I then looked into what the experts, such as Tim Slade and Niels Floor, are saying and, how they have defined each of these job titles.
In part (ii), I wrote about my work as both an ID and LXD, to illustrate the differences in approach, analytic (ID) vs creative (LXD), and tools used.
There is a really fun football analogy to get the point across and show you the differences.
I ended off by hinting that perhaps it’s the L&D community and industry itself that is confused, and therefore is leaving us all confused.
As I looked into it, I discovered that my suspicions were correct. And just like Tim Slade said, “Job titles are meaningless and unstandardized in our industry.”
Research and home-work
After that comment from Tim, I did lots of research. Four days worth of research.
I looked at lots of job sites on the internet to search for Instructional Designer and Learning Experience Designer job adverts.
I wanted to confirm my suspicions, and what Tim had said.
I discovered that the job ads for an ID and a LXD are almost identical. They require the same or very similar qualifications, skills and experience, expertise, and even tools stack.
I was not too concerned about the qualifications, I know one does not necessarily go to school to be an ID/LXD. I most certainly didn’t, and almost stumbled into L&D.
What I found truly interesting were the other things, such as skills, experience, and expertise.
The industry is conflicted
In part (ii), I wrote about how I think that there is a clear difference between ID and LXD, and based on the research I did, the L&D community and organisations seem to think differently.
The industry seems to classify them as the same thing, and the job ads are indicative of that.
No wonder people are confused!
I won’t name and shame the organisations by posting the actual job ads but they require the same or similar skills, such as:
- Time management
- Communication
- Planning and organising
- Training needs analysis
- Stakeholder management
- Design tools
- Learning theories and models
- Graphic design
- Data Analytics
- Storyboarding
- Video editing
- UX/UI skills (mostly optional)
The list goes on and on and on….
After looking at many more job adverts, I noticed that there was no clear distinction between ID and/or LXD.
And that proved my suspicions for sure.
The industry has not come up with specific job titles for either ID or LXD.
Back to my mission
Now that I’ve made it clear where I stand on the topic of ID vs LXD, we can conclude that there is no winner.
There is no “ID is better than LXD or vice versa”. I’ve been both and I know this to be true.
You can decide what is right for you! You make that choice and it is fully in your control.
What I do want to bring to the table and contribute is providing you with skills and knowledge to help you on your journey.
I think it’s good to know how the corporate environment works, and what you can expect as an ID and/or LXD in the working world.
I am here to provide you with valuable information from a real-life perspective. A view behind the corporate curtain.
So whether you choose a career in ID or LXD, you will be able to gain something from The Saturday Designers Club each week.
See you next Saturday.
If you’re interested in learning about L&D and learning design, you may also enjoy my weekly newsletter: The Saturday Designers Club, and gain a “little sumthin’, sumthin’”.
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