Bridging research and real-world practice to help instructional designers create meaningful learning experiences
Note: This Field Guide is in development as part of my graduate research at California State University, Monterey Bay, and I’ll be sharing updates along the way.
🎥 Watch the research update:
🔔 Research Update: Final Weeks of the Survey
Since October 2025, the Instructional Designers’ Field Guide project has been in its outreach and data collection phase. During this time, I’ve connected with instructional designers, educators, and learning professionals across LinkedIn to invite participation in the study.
Many members of the instructional design community have taken time to ask thoughtful questions, share encouragement, and participate in the research process. Because participation is anonymous, I cannot identify individual participants, but I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported the project so far. The willingness of professionals in this field to contribute their time and perspectives speaks volumes about the collaborative nature of the instructional design community.
📅 Survey Timeline
The research survey will remain open through:
March 31, 2026 – This marks the final phase of data collection for the study.
As the study approaches its closing date, this serves as a final update for those who may have intended to participate but have not yet had the opportunity.
The survey takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete and is conducted through Qualtrics.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and all questions are optional.
💡 A Quick Clarification About Participation
One of the most common questions I’ve received during outreach is whether the study only applies to new instructional designers.
While the Field Guide itself is designed to support early-career professionals, the research includes perspectives from:
- Instructional designers at any career stage
- Recent graduates of instructional design or educational technology programs
- Professionals who mentor or manage new instructional designers
Experienced professionals provide valuable insight into mentorship, workplace expectations, and how new designers grow within the field. These perspectives are essential to understanding how instructional design is practiced across roles and career stages.
🔍 What Happens Next?
After the survey closes at the end of March, the next phase of the project will include:
• Qualitative data review and thematic analysis
• Final thesis development
• Continued development of the Field Guide content and companion resources
The completed thesis and full Field Guide are expected to be finalized later in 2026.
Until then, I will continue sharing project updates here on the site.
Interested in Participating?
If you meet the criteria and would like to contribute before the study closes, feel free to reach out for the survey link.
➕Interested in Participating?
If you meet the criteria and would like to contribute before the study closes, feel free to reach out for the survey link.
This project is shaped by the voices of the instructional design community.
🙏 Thank You
To everyone who has followed along with this project, asked questions, participated in the research, or simply taken time to learn more about the work — thank you.
Instructional design is a field built on collaboration, reflection, and shared learning. This project would not exist without the perspectives of the professionals who shape the field every day.
🔗Explore more at: www.IDFieldGuide.com
Thank you to my mentors, peers, and the MIST community for supporting this meaningful work.
✍️ This project is part of my Master’s capstone research at CSUMB. The website and articles are intended to share progress and resources, they are not part of research data collection. post was drafted by me with the support of ChatGPT (OpenAI), which I used to refine grammar and polish readability. All ideas and perspectives are my own.
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