Do you need relevant qualifications to develop content?

let’s analyse the question

firstly the "need"….who is the dicidion maker as regards need? If it is an employer looking to employ an instructional designer they MAY insist on a professional qualification…but that is actually not genuine evidence of ability not the lack of it evidence of incompetence

secondly "develop"….I have often been given content by a Subject Matter Expert….this person is a technician not a training specialist and often their content is simply a brain dump of everything they know about the topic onto a series of powerpoint slide. It is hugely valuable but it isn't (Yet) training material (In my opinion….there are many managers who think anyone can train….just brain dump all your knowledge onto slides and then read them to the trainees…simples!)

thirdly "content"…if content is solely the brain dump mentioned above then, clearly no…anyone can do it. But if 'content' includes all the real learning design; identification of organisational and individual learning objectives, developing meaningful exercises, case studies, reflections sessions, extraction of learning points, development of action plans for behavioural change, design of assessment and reinforcement materials….then yes….you need someone with the "qualification" to do this. In this instance "qualification" means the motivation, expertise and professionalism.

I hope that helps

Rus

http://www.coach-and-courses.com

2 Responses

russlater says:

October 18, 2013 at 5:57 am

let’s analyse the question

firstly the "need"….who is the dicidion maker as regards need? If it is an employer looking to employ an instructional designer they MAY insist on a professional qualification…but that is actually not genuine evidence of ability not the lack of it evidence of incompetence

secondly "develop"….I have often been given content by a Subject Matter Expert….this person is a technician not a training specialist and often their content is simply a brain dump of everything they know about the topic onto a series of powerpoint slide. It is hugely valuable but it isn't (Yet) training material (In my opinion….there are many managers who think anyone can train….just brain dump all your knowledge onto slides and then read them to the trainees…simples!)

thirdly "content"…if content is solely the brain dump mentioned above then, clearly no…anyone can do it. But if 'content' includes all the real learning design; identification of organisational and individual learning objectives, developing meaningful exercises, case studies, reflections sessions, extraction of learning points, development of action plans for behavioural change, design of assessment and reinforcement materials….then yes….you need someone with the "qualification" to do this. In this instance "qualification" means the motivation, expertise and professionalism.

I hope that helps

Rus

http://www.coach-and-courses.com
brendon.c says:

October 24, 2013 at 2:39 am

Cheers

Thanks Rus for your point of view.

Others that I have spoken to are of a similar opinion.

Cheers

Brendon