The Accidental Instructional Designer, 2nd Edition: Learning Design for the Digital Age

by Cammy Bean

Go From Accidental to Intentional

Filled with insights and tips, this updated edition of The Accidental Instructional Designer, by e-learning veteran Cammy Bean, covers nearly every aspect of the learning design process for those getting started or even for the experienced practitioner in need of new ideas.

Many trainers and instructional designers fall into the talent development profession by accident, often having been tasked by their organization to train others on a subject they are expert in. Whether they’re good at explaining technical concepts or have a way with PowerPoint, they have often have little to no formal education in instructional design. Many are looking for grounding in the core principles of instructional design so that they can design effective and engaging digital learning experiences.

Cammy explores instructional design basics such as working with subject matter experts, picking a design approach, and making your learning experiences better through storytelling, interactivity, and visuals. In this second edition, she goes deeper into the learning and development space (where instructional design happens at organizations), learning tools, the technology ecosystem, and assessment and evaluation frameworks. Along the way, you'll hear from a few other accidental instructional designers, get ideas for your own projects, and find resources and references to take your own practice to the next level.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2023

Reviews

[Matt Hutson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a practical guide for those in the instructional design field, often by chance rather than design. This updated edition dives deeper into the evolving landscape of instructional design (ID), providing essential insights, strategies, and practical advice for newcomers and seasoned professionals.

Key Themes and Concepts

Accidental vs. Purposeful Instructional Designer
The book starts by differentiating between an accidental and purposeful instructional designer. While many may enter the field by happenstance, Bean emphasizes the importance of becoming purposeful, curious and determined to help people learn better. This involves engaging deeply with the field, seeking certifications, attending webinars, and consuming related content regularly.

The Multifaceted Role of Instructional Designers
Instructional designers often have diverse roles that vary significantly from one professional to another. Some design online courses, others create slide decks, and some develop lesson plans for live or online classes. Bean highlights the importance of understanding one's strengths, whether in knowledge and learning theories or technical skills, and seeking roles that align with these strengths.

The Four Elements of Instructional Design
Bean introduces four critical components of the instructional design pie: learning, creativity, technology, and business. Each project requires a balance of these elements, and instructional designers must recognize their strengths and weaknesses in each area. Collaboration and seeking help in weaker areas are crucial to creating effective learning experiences.

Emotional and Tactile Learning
Designing learning experiences involves considering the emotional and tactile factors. Bean stresses the importance of how learners feel when engaging with material and how they can use those emotions to achieve learning outcomes. The ultimate goal of instructional design is to improve learning and enhance performance.

Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
When collaborating with SMEs, it’s essential to communicate the goals of the learning experience. The aim is to make the training memorable and effective rather than a tedious task for employees. Understanding and conveying this can lead to better-designed learning experiences.

The Mixologist Metaphor
Bean uses the metaphor of a mixologist to describe the instructional designer's role. Each project requires a unique mix of tools and approaches, akin to mixing a drink with different ingredients. This creativity and adaptability distinguish a committed instructional designer from one who replicates the same solutions for different problems.

Writing and Content Creation
Effective instructional design involves writing in an active voice and making the content engaging. Bean advises minimizing using words like “should” and “must” to avoid sounding patronizing. Instead, think like an advertiser to make learning appealing and tell learners why the content matters. Incorporating stories into training helps make the lessons more relatable and memorable.

Visual and Aesthetic Design
The book emphasizes the importance of course visual and aesthetic design. First impressions matter, and the look and feel of a course can significantly impact learners' engagement. Tools like Canva are recommended for creating visually appealing content that enhances the learning experience.

Return on Investment
Ultimately, instructional design's effectiveness is measured by its return on investment (ROI). The goal is to ensure that the learning interventions lead to tangible improvements in performance and productivity.

Practical Advice and Community Engagement
Bean advises aspiring instructional designers to immerse themselves in the community by joining professional networks, attending conferences, and engaging on social media. Continuous learning through reading relevant books and resources is crucial. Instructional design is presented not just as a job but as a lifestyle requiring dedication and passion.

Conclusion
The Accidental Instructional Designer, 2nd Edition, is a comprehensive guide that blends practical advice with theoretical insights. Cammy Bean’s approachable style and use of real-world examples make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to excel in instructional design. Whether new to the field or seeking to deepen your expertise, this book provides a roadmap for becoming a purposeful and effective instructional designer.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cammy Bean provides a solid overview of the basics of Instructional Design and relevant concepts, models, processes, and resources for those new to the field. I really enjoyed this book in large part due to Bean’s writing style - the book itself was a great example of putting the concepts to practice.

While I wanted to give this book 5⭐️ there were just a few things that kept it at a 4. There were some repetitive lines that felt like “filler” while other concepts weren’t as fleshed out as much as they could have been, even considering this was an introductory text. I also wish there was more of a nuanced discussion covering higher education-specific instructional design. With Bean’s background being in corporate ID, I understand why so much of it was business-focused, however, even just a page here and there for how certain concepts might apply (or differ) in a higher education environment would have been a great addition to this book.

[James Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and reviewed the first edition of The Accidental Instructional Designer (2014) a year ago (2021). I'm always happy to see updates to ID books, because the field is an ever-changing one. The second edition to The Accidental Instructional Designer is an excellent introduction to the field, especially for new practitioners. It's focussed primarily on those creating training to be used in corporate environments. But there are useful details for IDs of all sorts. Bean mentions and gives thumbnail sketches of many useful books along the way (some of which are collected in a list at the end), enhancing the book's value as a starting point in a wide field of discourse. This is a thorough update, not just the same book with a new chapter tacked on at the end.

[Troy DuJardin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe more useful for beginning practitioners, so my complaints might merely be thanks to misguided expectations. Thought it was extremely basic, was hoping for more practical and technical guidance here, but found there to be a lot of generic, entry-level pedagogy that was not especially useful for me.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on developing the skills you need to succeed in instructional design. This is geared towards corporate ID, so you must have the skills to sift through what is relevant and what is not. More is relevant than not.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know anything, but this book made me feel like I gained a base understanding, so that’s nice!