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Short Abstract
This session explores how AI is transforming instructional design, covering ethical, practical, and creative considerations. Participants will engage in discussions and collaborate on a living document, sharing real-world examples and strategies for integrating AI into course design while maintaining human-centered creativity.
Extended Abstract
From crafting alt text for graphs to updating OER textbooks and designing role-play experiences, generative AI is transforming workflows in profound ways. The conversation around faculty and student use of AI is ongoing, but it’s equally important for the instructional design community to develop best practices for using AI in the course design process. This session will surface ideas and practices emerging from the community, focusing on how AI is reshaping instructional design. We will explore the ethical and practical implications of using AI throughout various stages, such as ideation, module design, content creation, editing, and evaluation.
During this Conversation, Not Presentation, we will ask key questions like the following:
- How does AI impact the relationship between instructional designers and SMEs?
--> How can AI be used to supplement the content creation of SMEs to benefit the instructional design process? Should AI be used in this manner?
--> How can the use of AI in the instructional design process assist SMEs who do not have access to an instructional designer?
--> How might AI be used to help to bridge knowledge gaps between instructional designers and SMEs?
- How do we contend with the social, environmental, and ethical implications of using AI in our work?
--> Are there elements of course design that AI should not ethically handle?
--> How might the use of AI in instructional design impact the perceived need for instructional designers?
--> What are the lasting impacts of using AI in instructional design work?
--> What ethical frameworks should guide the use of AI in designing courses, especially when considering issues like bias in AI algorithms?
--> How can we ensure that the use of AI in instructional design promotes inclusivity and equity?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of AI’s capabilities in the instructional design process?
--> What are the best examples you’ve seen of AI usage in your role?
--> How can AI be integrated into the instructional design process without diminishing the creative and human elements of course design?
Level of Participation:
Participants will explore real-world applications, engage in discussions around their experiences, and collaborate on a living document that will serve as a resource and backchannel for continued learning and sharing of examples. These two channels of engagement will allow participants to switch between asynchronous and synchronous interactions as they explore our facilitated conversations and resources. Additionally, this collaborative document will house ongoing resources for reference beyond the conference.
Session Goals:
This active, conversational session is ideal for those seeking to understand the everyday use of AI in instructional design. Participants will be able to describe and weigh various uses of AI that are being explored at different institutions. They will also develop a collaborative resource to discuss ongoing ideas around the effective use of AI in the Instructional Design process.
During this Conversation, Not Presentation, we will ask key questions like the following:
- How does AI impact the relationship between instructional designers and SMEs?
--> How can AI be used to supplement the content creation of SMEs to benefit the instructional design process? Should AI be used in this manner?
--> How can the use of AI in the instructional design process assist SMEs who do not have access to an instructional designer?
--> How might AI be used to help to bridge knowledge gaps between instructional designers and SMEs?
- How do we contend with the social, environmental, and ethical implications of using AI in our work?
--> Are there elements of course design that AI should not ethically handle?
--> How might the use of AI in instructional design impact the perceived need for instructional designers?
--> What are the lasting impacts of using AI in instructional design work?
--> What ethical frameworks should guide the use of AI in designing courses, especially when considering issues like bias in AI algorithms?
--> How can we ensure that the use of AI in instructional design promotes inclusivity and equity?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of AI’s capabilities in the instructional design process?
--> What are the best examples you’ve seen of AI usage in your role?
--> How can AI be integrated into the instructional design process without diminishing the creative and human elements of course design?
Level of Participation:
Participants will explore real-world applications, engage in discussions around their experiences, and collaborate on a living document that will serve as a resource and backchannel for continued learning and sharing of examples. These two channels of engagement will allow participants to switch between asynchronous and synchronous interactions as they explore our facilitated conversations and resources. Additionally, this collaborative document will house ongoing resources for reference beyond the conference.
Session Goals:
This active, conversational session is ideal for those seeking to understand the everyday use of AI in instructional design. Participants will be able to describe and weigh various uses of AI that are being explored at different institutions. They will also develop a collaborative resource to discuss ongoing ideas around the effective use of AI in the Instructional Design process.
Presenting Speakers
Keegan Long-Wheeler
Lead Educational Technologist at University of Oklahoma
Keegan is a trained instructional designer, chemist, and secondary science teacher. He is also a proponent of sustainable technology, an advocate for student experience, and a teacher of teachers. Keegan gains fulfillment from problem-solving pedagogical challenges that intersect with accessible technology usage. Keegan enjoys storytelling and has brought games and the monomyth into instruction and professional development over the years. He currently serves as the Lead Educational Technologist and problem-solver-of-last-resort for OU Education Services. In his downtime, Keegan plays multiple games of Dungeons and Dragons, where he facilitates long-form collaborative storytelling. He enjoys introducing new players to the tabletop roleplaying hobby leaning on his understanding of engagement and pedagogical practice.
Additional Author
Sephra Scheuber
Instructional Designer at University of Oklahoma
Sephra Scheuber is an Instructional Designer at the Office of Digital Learning at the University of Oklahoma, where she supports faculty with course design consultation and instructional training. Before joining the Office of Digital Learning, Sephra worked as an Instructional Designer at Oklahoma Christian University and a Lecturer at the University of Central Oklahoma. She received a Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry Production & Technology from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. She holds an Advanced Instructional Designer Certificate from the Online Learning Consortium. Outside of her typical work duties, Sephra enjoys presenting at conferences, producing music, and conducting psychological research.
Practical Uses of AI for the Instructional Design Process: Anticipating Workflow Changes
Track
Learning Design, Instruction, and Open Pedagogy
Description
4/2/2025 | 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Evaluate Session
Modality: Virtual
Location: Zoom Room 2
Track: Learning Design, Instruction, and Open Pedagogy
Session Type: Conversation, Not Presentation (45 min)
Institution Level: Higher Ed
Audience Level: All
Intended Audience: Administrators, Design Thinkers, Faculty, Instructional Support, Training Professionals, Technologists
Special Session Designation: For Instructional Designers, For Leaders and Administrators
Location: Zoom Room 2
Track: Learning Design, Instruction, and Open Pedagogy
Session Type: Conversation, Not Presentation (45 min)
Institution Level: Higher Ed
Audience Level: All
Intended Audience: Administrators, Design Thinkers, Faculty, Instructional Support, Training Professionals, Technologists
Special Session Designation: For Instructional Designers, For Leaders and Administrators