Voices from the Field - Current Trends and Challenges in Instructional Design and Learning Technology

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

A qualitative study interviewed twelve instructional design and learning technology leaders from K-12, higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors to identify trends and challenges shaping their work. Findings highlighted technology trends such as artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality, along with broader conceptual learning shifts including microlearning and deeper engagement. Key challenges included balancing experimentation with day-to-day workload and burnout risks, and navigating organizational change through bureaucracy and resistance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages39

Reading Time1 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Literature Review

Technology Trends

Methods

Results

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Additional Technology Trends

Discussion

Implications

Conclusion

Declarations

References

Voices from the Field Current Trends and Challenges in Instructional Design and Learning Technology TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS 3 ABOUT THE OLC 4 VOICES FROM THE FIELD 5 Abstract 6 Introduction 7 Literature Review 8 Methods 11 Results 14 Artificial Intelligence (AI) 14 Additional Technology Trends 17 Broader Conceptual Learning Shifts 18 Balancing Exploring Emerging Trends and Day-to-Day Expectations 20 The Slow Pace of Change 23 Finding the “Right” Fit for Their Team 25 Exiting the Silo to Showcase Organizational Value 29 Discussion 30 Implications 31 Conclusion 34 Declarations 35 References 36 CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Nicole Weber, Ph.D. Nicole Weber is an assistant professor of educational foundations at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she coordinates and teaches in the Instructional Design and Learning Technology Master’s Degree Program. Katie Campbell Katie Campbell is a graduate student in the Instructional Design and Learning Technology Master’s Degree Program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Hannah Bauer Hannah Bauer is a graduate student in the Instructional Design and Learning Technology Master’s Degree Program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Corine McCarthy Corine McCarthy graduated from the Instructional Design and Learning Technology Master’s Degree Program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and currently serves as an instructional designer at Moraine Park Technical College. Recommended Citation Weber, N., Campbell, K., Bauer, H., & McCarthy, C. (2024) . Voices from the field: Current trends and challenges in instructional design and learning technology. The Online Learning Consortium. ABOUT THE OLC The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a collaborative community of education leaders and innovators dedicated to advancing quality digital teaching and learning experiences designed to reach and engage the modern learner—anyone, anywhere, anytime. OLC inspires innovation and quality through an extensive set of resources, including bestpractice publications, quality benchmarking, leading-edge instruction, community driven conferences, practitioner-based and empirical research, and expert guidance. The growing OLC community includes faculty members, administrators, trainers, instructional designers, and other learning professionals, as well as educational institutions, professional societies, and corporate enterprises. Learn more [at onlinelearningconsortium.org](at onlinelearningconsortium.org). VOICES FROM THE FIELD Current Trends and Challenges in Instructional Design and Learning Technology Abstract This qualitative study interviewed twelve (n=12) instructional design and learning technology leaders from the K12, higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors to identify trends and challenges that were impacting their work and the work of their teams. Results included technology trends (e.g., artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality), broader conceptual learning shifts (e.g., microlearning, deeper levels of engagement in learning experiences), and various challenges (e.g., balancing exploring emerging trends with increasing day-to-day work creating workload and burnout concerns, managing change through bureaucracy and resistance) . Keywords: instructional design, learning technology, trends, challenges, artificial intelligence, workload Introduction In the rapidly evolving landscape of instructional design and learning technology (IDLT), leaders face a wide variety of trends and challenges that significantly influence the work they do across sectors (e.g., K12, higher education, corporate, and nonprofit) . As a community, it is important to consistently work together to recognize and understand teaching, learning, and technology trends, reviewing current literature and digging deeper to inform the future of IDLT work. As we forge ahead in a p

FAQs

Who participated in the study and what sectors were included?

The study interviewed twelve instructional design and learning technology leaders from K-12, higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors.

What kinds of trends and challenges were identified in the results?

Results covered technology trends (including artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality), broader learning shifts (such as microlearning and engagement), and challenges related to workload, burnout, and managing change through bureaucracy and resistance.

How did the literature review characterize technology trends?

It described technology trends as important for leaders to stay current and upskill, noting artificial intelligence as a prevalent theme across sector publications, and then detailing how AI use differed by K-12, higher education, and corporate contexts.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai