The Difference Between Instructional designer and eLearning developer

Two roles often confused in the Learning and Development (L&D) field are the Instructional Designer and the eLearning Developer. And understandably so—they both work on creating learning experiences, but their focus and skill sets are quite different. It’s not about swapping job titles; each role brings something unique to the table that helps make eLearning and instructional design more effective.

It becomes clearer if we break down what each of these professionals really does. The instructional designer is more about crafting the learning journey, while the eLearning developer brings that journey to life using eLearning and instructional design technology. Once you see their specific contributions, it’s easier to understand why both roles are essential and distinct. Let’s dive right in.

What Is an Instructional Designer?

Instructional Designers are the architects of eLearning and instructional design. These professionals aren’t just thinking about how to teach—they’re thinking about why certain instructional methods work for certain learners. An instructional designer understands human behavior and motivation and knows how to map those insights into structured eLearning and instructional design experiences.

Their real skill lies in converting raw data into engaging and digestible content with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). They constantly wrestle with questions like, “How will this eLearning module impact the learner?” or “What’s the best way to present this concept to make it memorable?”

Their mindset is strategic, always thinking about how to make eLearning and instructional design practical and relevant. It’s not just about giving information but shaping it so it sticks, ensuring learners can apply it in real-world scenarios.

Instructional Designer Skill Set

• Pedagogical Knowledge:

  Deep understanding of learning theories, instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM), and adult learning principles.

• Communication:

  Strong ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.

• Project Management:

  Skilled in managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations.

Bonus Skills:

Learning Analytics Interpretation:

Beyond developing content, a standout instructional designer should be able to interpret learning data and analytics. This involves analyzing learner performance metrics from Learning Management Systems (LMS) to gain insights into how learners engage with the material. This data is used to refine eLearning and instructional design strategies and make evidence-based decisions to improve learning outcomes.

Experience with Adaptive Learning Technologies:

As personalized learning becomes more prominent, hands-on experience with adaptive learning tools can make an instructional designer invaluable. Understanding how to create learning paths that dynamically adjust to learner progress helps develop tailored eLearning and instructional design experiences, significantly boosting learner engagement and success rates.

What Is an eLearning Developer?

Now, let’s talk about eLearning Developers. These experts bring the eLearning and instructional design course to life. Their technical expertise spans from working with eLearning authoring tools to custom coding, but what truly sets them apart is their ability to blend creativity with functionality.

If the instructional designer is the architect, the eLearning Developer is the builder who ensures the user interface (UI) is seamless and the course interacts with the learner effectively.

They’re not just making something visually cool; they’re asking, “How can I make this interaction intuitive?” They know the importance of accessibility and performance optimization, ensuring the course performs efficiently without distractions for the learner. It’s a delicate balance between creative design and technical execution, with eLearning and instructional design always front and center.

eLearning Developer Skills

• Technical Proficiency:

  Expertise in eLearning authoring tools (Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Cognispark AI), programming languages (HTML5, JavaScript), and multimedia software.

• Attention to Detail:

  Meticulous in testing and troubleshooting to ensure a seamless learning experience.

• Creativity:

  Ability to create visually appealing and engaging content that enhances eLearning and instructional design.

Bonus Skills:

xAPI and Learning Record Stores (LRS) Integration:

Integrating xAPI into eLearning and instructional design courses and leveraging Learning Record Stores (LRS) for capturing detailed learner interactions makes the developer more versatile in creating robust learning ecosystems that deliver actionable insights into user behaviors.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Development:

As immersive learning grows, an eLearning Developer with experience in creating AR and VR-based eLearning and instructional design experiences will stand out. Developing simulations or interactive environments using technologies like Unity or Unreal Engine adds a new dimension, allowing learners to engage in highly interactive and practical training scenarios.

Instructional Designer vs. eLearning Developer Roles in eLearning Design and Development

While the Instructional Designer focuses on the “what” and “why” of learning, the eLearning Developer concentrates on the “how”. Here’s how they typically collaborate in eLearning and instructional design projects:

Role	Instructional Designer	eLearning Developer
Focus	Focuses on the “what” and “why” of learning, outlining learning objectives, content structure, and instructional strategies.	Focuses on the “how” of implementing the eLearning, providing technical input and developing the course.
Initial Planning	Outlines learning objectives, content structure, and instructional strategies.	Provides input on technical feasibility and suggests enhancements.
Storyboarding and Prototyping	Creates detailed storyboards specifying content and interactions.	Builds prototypes based on the storyboards, incorporating multimedia and interactive elements.
Development and Testing	Reviews the developed course, ensuring alignment with learning objectives and instructional design strategies.	Develops the course by integrating multimedia and interactive components, and ensures technical functionality.
Final Review and Deployment	Ensures the course meets instructional design standards during final testing and quality assurance.	Handles technical deployment, collaborating with the Instructional Designer on final testing and quality assurance.

Conclusion

Ultimately, both instructional designers and eLearning developers play essential roles in crafting engaging and effective learning experiences. It’s not about one being more important than the other—it’s about how they complement each other. The instructional designer brings the strategy, focusing on how to teach and engage learners, while the eLearning developer takes that vision and transforms it into a tangible, interactive course. Their collaboration ensures that learning isn’t just informative but also engaging and practical.