When it comes to instructional design and eLearning, there’s a ton of information out there to sift through and you might be wondering where to start! In this blog, we’ll explore 20 instructional design books, perfect for beginners looking to get started and experienced professionals seeking to enhance their skills.
These books focus on putting the learner at the forefront, suggesting best practices grounded in research and experience. So let’s get started.
Methodology and design process
These books emphasise using a structured approach to achieve specific goals or objectives while ensuring efficiency and quality in the design process. They provide practical insights and actionable strategies, drawing on established theories and research findings, for creating engaging learning experiences, bridging theory with real-world application. Together, they form a comprehensive toolkit for designing effective training to achieve results.
- Understanding By Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe (2005)
- Designing Effective Instruction by Gary R. Morrison, Steven M. Ross, Jerrold E. Kemp, and Howard K. Kalman (2010)
- The Systematic Design of Instruction by Walter Dick, Lou Carey, and James O. Carey (2014)
- Map It: The hands-on guide to strategic training design by Cathy Moore (2015)
- Design Thinking for Training and Development: Creating Learning Journeys That Get Results by Sharon Boller and Laura Fletcher (2019)
Learning theory and principles
These four books packed with insights supported by research on how people learn best and provide practical tips for making education fun and effective. Whether it’s understanding how our brains learn (How Learning Works), making lessons that students enjoy (Design for How People Learn), or using videos and technology to make learning easier (E-Learning and the Science of Instruction), each book gives helpful advice which should be considered when designing a course.
- How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching by Susan A. Ambrose, Michael W. Bridges, Michele DiPietro, Marsha C. Lovett, and Marie K. Norman (2010)
- Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen (2015)
- E-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning by Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer (2016)
- The Essentials of Instructional Design: Connecting Fundamental Principles with Process and Practice by Abbie Brown and Timothy D. Green (2017)
Presentation skills and communication
What you say and how you say it, matters. These books share a common focus on improving presentation skills and communication effectiveness. They provide practical guidance and strategies for delivering engaging presentations and enhancing clarity in written communication. Whether it’s crafting compelling visual stories (Resonate) or mastering the art of clear and graceful writing (Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace), each book equips you with valuable insights and techniques for effectively conveying your message.
- Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte (2010)
- Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams and Joseph Bizup (2016)
Graphic design and visual communication
Looking to level up your design skills, create captivating presentations or refine your visual communication? These books focus on teaching design principles for people without formal design training.
- The Non-Designer’s Design Book: Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice by Robin Williams (2014)
- Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte (2008)
Personal development and insight
From challenging conventional training practices (Telling Ain’t Training), to sharing lessons learned from personal experiences (What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer), or providing comprehensive guidance on training design and delivery (The Art and Science of Training), each book offers valuable insights for professional development in the field of instructional design.
- Telling Ain’t Training by Harold D. Stolovitch and Erica J. Keeps (2011)
- What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer by Luke Hobson (2019)
- The Art and Science of Training by Elaine Biech (2016)
Instructional technology and online learning
These books give practical advice on using technology to enhance student engagement, facilitate active learning, and create meaningful online learning experiences.
- Intentional Tech: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology in College Teaching by Derek Bruff (2020)
- Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning by Jennifer C. Richardson and Peyton Jobe (2020)
Unconventional books on instructional design
Although unconventional in their approach, these books share a common thread by providing valuable perspectives and techniques for enhancing instructional design practices. Although ‘The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses’ focuses on game design, it offers insights applicable to broader instructional design contexts, such as engagement, storytelling, and player experience. Similarly, ‘Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change’ delves into designing learning experiences specifically aimed at changing behaviour, its principles can be transferred to various instructional design scenarios, particularly in motivating learners and fostering meaningful outcomes.
- The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell (2008)
- Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change by Julie Dirksen (2019)
Want to get started with eLearning? The Learning Rooms offers an eLearning Development Toolkit, instructional design training courses and eLearning templates that simplify eLearning design and development.
