The International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (ibstpi) first developed a list of Instructional Design Competencies since 1986. The 2000 edition of Instructional Design Competencies contains 23 competencies under four specific headings: Professional Foundations, Planning and Analysis, Design and Development, and Implementation and Management.
As an example of the issues considered essential ibstpi lists under “Professional Foundations” the importance of “updating and improving one’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes pertaining to instructional design and related fields.” With all the advances being made in educational theory, understandings of how people learn, and the use of technology to enhance learning it is indeed vital that those individuals involved in designing instructional materials stay current in their understanding of the research and new methodologies.
Under the heading of “Planning and Analysis” they list as essential the ability to “identify and describe target population characteristics.” Developing content with a ‘one size fits all’ strategy defies the research that shows that people are different and learn in different ways. Knowing as much as you can about the people who will be receiving the instruction will provide significant insights in how to design the instruction to maximize the learning potential. Under the “Design and Development” heading the essential competency “design instruction that reflects an understanding of the diversity of learners and groups of learners” reinforces the importance of a design strategy that meets the various learning styles of all the students.
While it has been common for instructors to design course materials independently ibstpi points out under the heading of “Implementation and Management” the importance having multiple people involved in good design by pointing out that the more advanced instructional designers will “promote collaboration, partnerships, and relationships among the participants in a design project.
The entire list of competencies is worth reviewing and giving time for reflection. Teaching is an art and science, and having a better understanding of the competencies considered essential in course design work will help us all to be more successful.
The ibstpi also has a list of Instructor Competencies that is with reviewing.
Another resource that you will find helpful is a PDF document by About Learning titled a Guide to Using Student Learning Styles to Differentiate Instruction.