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Bringing Instructional Design Principles On-Line:
An Instructional Technologist’s Approach to Web Development
Shannon A. Alpert
AT&T, Interactive Products and Services
USA
salpert@attmail.com
The process of Web development employs many instructional design principles. Instructional design
principles are apparent in a variety of Web sites including sites that offer information posting, interactive
simulations, and training materials. The traditional instructional design model includes analysis, design,
development, implementation, and evaluation. This model is often applied to Web design without a conscious
awareness of the model. The various parts of this model occur throughout the design and development of a
Web site. Knowledge of this model can improve the design and functionality of any type of Web site.
Analysis, the first phase in the instructional design model, is crucial to the success of a Web site. In analysis,
Web designers must determine the objective, audience, navigation, features, and advertising strategy of the
site. During this phase, plans for each of the subsequent phases are made. Although this may seem like an
academic approach to Web development, these determinations are usually made informally. Web designers
must have this solid foundation of information from which to work.
The second phase of the instructional design model is design. In this phase, Web designers determine the
interface design, links, navigation, and overall structure of the site. Storyboarding is a large part of this phase.
On a storyboard, designers can communicate every aspect of the design to the HTML programmers and
graphic artists. It is important to note that Web designers guide the design and development of Web sites.
However, HTML programmers and graphic artists can provide invaluable input into the design and
development of Web sites. Whenever possible, their suggestions should be incorporated into the design of the
site.
The third phase of the instructional design model suggests that the process of development continues for the
life of the instruction. This is also true for Web sites. Web site development will continue for the history of
the site. During development, Web designers have an advantage over more traditional instructional designers.
Web designers can review the work of the HTML programmers and graphic artists as it is being completed.
This allows Web designers to offer immediate feedback and suggestions for improvement while the site is
being developed. In addition, rapid prototyping of Web sites can occur easily by creating the files that make
up that site for review before linking those files to the Web.
Implementation is the fourth phase in the instructional design model. Unlike implementing traditional
instruction, implementing a Web site is a relatively quick process that involves posting the site on a server.
Web designers must also plan for advertising the site during this phase. Effective advertising ensures that the
site will attract an appropriate audience of users.
The fifth and final phase in the instructional design model is evaluation. The evaluation process of a Web site
is similar to the evaluation process of instructional materials. For instance, instructional multimedia programs
and Web sites require a full review of the programming structure and graphic components. Web sites and
instructional multimedia programs must also be tested thoroughly before they are released to the public.
Ideally, Web sites should be tested using a small group of peers who are observed as they interact with the site.
Web designers should also elicit assistance from experts from many fields including Web design and graphical