- Video Tip - Exploring AI in Instructional Design: Essential Strategies
- Announcements - Registrations: TOPkit Workshop 2025, FL-IDN Webinars, Teaching and Learning with AI Conference
- Top Tips - Instructional Design Essentials in the Age of AI
- Ask ADDIE - Navigating the Fast Lane: Essential Strategies for Accelerated Course Design
- New Developing Content - It’s Not Just About Paper Straws: The role of higher education in teaching sustainability across disciplines
- From the Community - Instructional Design in the AI Era: Back to Basics
- Top Community Topics
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Lance Eaton provides a comprehensive guide on how Instructional Designers can effectively incorporate Generative AI into the creation of innovative online learning experiences. By outlining his top five strategies, Eaton emphasizes best practices for leveraging AI in course development while maintaining a focus on pedagogical integrity and learner-centered design. He offers clear "Do's and Don’ts" for personal AI usage, providing IDs with specific AI prompts tailored to various stages of instructional design. Through this approach, Eaton equips IDs with a robust framework that ensures responsible, ethical AI use in supporting teaching and learning.
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Register for TOPkit Workshop 2025, a live, virtual event. Free registration for the State University System of Florida and Florida State Colleges. General registration ends Monday, March 24, 2025.
- Upcoming FL-IDN webinars:
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Register for the 3rd annual Teaching and Learning with AI conference. This is a sharing event between educational practitioners in the US and around the world. It is an in-person conference happening in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday-Friday, May 28-30, 2025.
- What events do you have to share with the TOPkit community? Email us.
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Instructional Design Essentials in the Age of AI |
Revisiting Core Principles for Effective Learning Experiences in a Technologically-Driven World |
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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the landscape of education and training, instructional designers are facing new challenges and opportunities. While AI tools offer advanced capabilities for personalization, automation, and scalability, the fundamental principles of instructional design and faculty development remain critical to creating effective learning experiences. Below are foundational tips for instructional designers to keep in mind as they navigate this evolving space.
In addition to supporting learner success, instructional designers and faculty must also adapt their own practices to leverage AI tools effectively. Faculty development initiatives should include training on how to integrate AI into course design, foster interactive and personalized learning environments, and use data analytics to enhance student engagement. By embracing AI thoughtfully and aligning it with sound instructional strategies, both instructional designers and faculty can ensure that educational experiences remain impactful, inclusive, and aligned with learning objectives.
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Start with Clear Learning Objectives. Even with AI tools at your disposal, clear and measurable learning objectives are the backbone of any effective training program. AI can assist in personalization and tracking progress, but the core goals of what learners should know must be defined from the outset. This ensures alignment with content and assessment strategies.
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Prioritize Learner-Centered Design. AI can collect data about learners’ behavior and preferences, but it’s essential to keep a focus on learner-centered design. Ensure that your courses or training programs address the needs, backgrounds, and experiences of your learners. Personalizing the learning path through AI must not overshadow the importance of accessibility, engagement, and real-world application.
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Integrate Formative Assessments with AI Insights. Formative assessments are key for adapting instructional strategies. With AI, you can automate feedback, track learner progress, and identify areas where learners are struggling. This data may be used for instructional designers and faculty to modify the learning experience in real time, ensuring learners are supported at every stage.
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Ensure Ethical Use of AI in Learning. AI-driven instructional tools can be incredibly powerful, but they must be used responsibly. Be mindful of privacy, fairness, and bias when using AI for data collection, content delivery, and assessments. Always seek to design inclusive and equitable learning experiences that respect the diversity of learners.
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Use Data Analytics for Continuous Improvement. AI offers vast opportunities for data-driven decision-making. With AI, instructional designers can leverage analytics to gain insights into learner performance, engagement, and content effectiveness. This helps to continuously refine instructional strategies and materials based on real-time data to improve learning outcomes.
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As instructional designers embrace the potential of AI, it’s essential to return to the basics of sound pedagogical principles. By focusing on clear objectives, learner-centered design, active learning, ethical AI use, and data analytics, you can ensure that your AI-powered training programs remain effective and meaningful. Always balance innovation with the core principles of good instructional design, and continue learning about the evolving tools and methodologies that AI offers.
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Instructional Design in the AI Era: Back to Basics |
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Essential Resources for Instructional Designers and Faculty Developers to Navigate AI in Education with TOPkit |
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Dear ADDIE,
My university has recently added several new, accelerated course formats in various weekly time lengths for both online and traditional courses, e.g., 3-week, 8-week, 10-week. Many instructors assisted by instructional designers are questioning how they should redesign their online courses to meet a significantly reduced time frame of instruction. Given the challenge of maintaining academic rigor in a shorter time frame, what practical strategies can instructors employ to achieve this? Read more→
Signed,
Fast Track
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It’s Not Just About Paper Straws |
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The Role of Higher Education in Teaching Sustainability Across Disciplines |
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As instructional designers become more versed in sustainability concepts and their applications within their respective fields, they can inspire faculty, colleagues, and students alike. This can lead to a gradual but significant shift in the university’s culture, making sustainability a core value that permeates not just the curriculum but also campus operations and community engagement initiatives. Read more→
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Instructional Design in the AI Era: Back to Basics |
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Essential Resources for to Navigate AI in Education with TOPkit |
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As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms educational settings, it is imperative for instructional designers and faculty developers to evolve their strategies, ensuring the seamless integration of new technologies while upholding essential best practices. Mastering the use of AI tools in conjunction with established instructional design principles is vital for crafting engaging, personalized, and effective learning experiences.
To support your work in this evolving landscape, here are some essential resources to guide you through the process of planning, developing, and evaluating AI-enhanced learning initiatives.
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AI is a powerful tool for instructional designers, but it must be integrated thoughtfully to support learning goals and enhance the overall educational experience. By following key principles of instructional design and combining them with AI’s capabilities, you can create more engaging, personalized, and efficient learning environments.
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Generative AI may have been used to retrieve relevant research, generate suggested language, and enhance original content.
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Bren Bedford, MNM, SFC®, Web Project Analyst II, Center for Distributed Learning, University of Central Florida
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Florence Williams, Ph.D., Associate Instructional Designer, Center for Distributed Learning, University of Central Florida
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