ISD From The Ground Up: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design

by Chuck Hodell

Don't leave course design to trial and error. Is trial and error a key pathway to instructional systems design (ISD)? Does success come only to experienced designers with expert instincts? Prior to the 2000 publication of ISD From the Ground Up, it certainly appeared that way to instructional designers just learning the ropes. Chuck Hodell set out to change that. Known as "the man who wrote the book on ISD--literally," Hodell developed a comprehensive and practical handbook on core ISD practices and principles with a practitioner's eye. His definitive guide is an industry staple currently found on the bookshelves of experienced instructional designers and university students alike. This updated fourth edition covers all the basics and many advanced tenets important to working professionals, especially those entering the field. Stand-alone chapters offer crucial support to practitioners building foundational skills, while in-depth tutorials and rich insights guide the credentialed designer. At a time when skillful curriculum development is valued more than ever, ISD From the Ground Up offers a refresher on objectives, design plans, lesson plans, and even what it takes to facilitate a focus group. Updated with new chapters and an expanded glossary of terms, it delves into skills and practices essential to the success of today's in-demand curriculum developer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Professional Development, Education

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2000

Reviews

[Caitlyn Veenstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a textbook for my Intro ISD class. The book is an easy read and talks about the ISD process one step at a time. I didn't enjoy it more as I lost interest in the subject.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave it away before I could finish entirely, but a really great introduction to this world.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

It works well for the intended audience (new instructional designers). It's focused on being practical and simple, and it's much more comprehensible than some texts. But be warned that it does sometimes differ from standard practice in the field (as much as you can claim there is a standard practice). For example, while it discusses the ADDIE model, it redefines the steps, essentially turning into the ADIE model. Other things are portrayed as being more widely accepted than they really are, such as his method for forming objectives. That may be a byproduct of the books simplicity.

While the book is simple, it sometimes feels like it was written as a classroom text rather than as a book for real practitioners. For example, his section on quality control raises some good points, but the tool itself appears to work better for grading classroom assignments than for helping you create an effective course in the field.

If you're an experienced instructional designer, this book is not intended for you. It probably won't help you much. If you're a new instructional designer, it's a good start. But treat it as advice coming from a mentor rather than as an industry standard--it's just one person's viewpoint of the process.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flip this book over and you'll find my endorsement on the back cover.