Choosing the Right Instructional Strategies for Your Course Format

Designing an online training involves more than just knowing your content and establishing your learning goals and outcomes. Once you've established what your learners need to achieve, the next challenge is selecting the right instructional strategies to help them get there.
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Designing an online training course involves more than just knowing your content and establishing your learning goals and outcomes. Once you’ve established what your learners need to achieve, the next challenge is selecting the right instructional strategies to help them get there. Different course formats—whether it’s a hands-on workshop, a video-based course, or a self-paced module—require tailored strategies to meet both the course objectives and the unique characteristics of the medium.

In this article, I will:

  • explain what is an instructional strategy
  • explore how to choose between different instructional strategies based on your course format and objectives
  • outline how to select tools that align with these strategies to enhance learner engagement and achieve measurable outcomes.

What is an Instructional Strategy?

An instructional strategy is a planned approach or set of techniques used by educators to facilitate learning and help learners achieve specific learning objectives. It encompasses methods, activities, and tools selected based on the learners’ needs, course goals, and subject matter to create an engaging and effective learning experience.

Instructional strategies vary depending on the course format (e.g., in-person, online, self-paced) and may include approaches like collaborative learning, project-based learning, storytelling, gamification, and assessments. The primary aim of an instructional strategy is to enhance understanding, retention, and application of knowledge by aligning teaching methods with the desired learning outcomes

To summarise, the instructional strategy is about ensuring the learning “clicks” and helps people achieve their goals.  Visit this article to learn more about ID Strategy. 

Why Course Format Matters

The structure and delivery method of a course significantly impact which instructional strategies will be most effective. For example, in a live workshop, learners benefit from real-time interaction and feedback, so active participation techniques may be prioritised. In contrast, video-based or asynchronous courses need strategies that maintain engagement and allow for self-directed learning, often using multimedia and reflection exercises.

Here are some examples of how course formats shape instructional strategies:

Workshops (In-Person or Virtual)

Characteristics: Interactive, collaborative, hands-on.

  • Strategies: In a workshop, experiential learning and active participation take centre stage. You can incorporate problem-based learning, role-playing, group discussions, and real-time feedback.
  • Example for a Gardening Course: If you’re teaching a gardening workshop, you might use live demonstrations followed by hands-on practice, where learners try out techniques like plant propagation or soil testing in real-time. Peer-to-peer learning can be encouraged through group discussions where learners share their progress.

Video-Based Courses

Characteristics: Self-paced, visual, often asynchronous.

  • Strategies: Video courses require engaging visual content and clear, concise explanations to keep learners attentive. Instructional strategies such as storytelling, microlearning (short, digestible lessons), and scenario-based learning work well here.
  • Example for a Yoga Teacher Course: A yoga teacher training course might use instructional videos that break down complex poses into smaller segments. You could incorporate visual aids, such as slow-motion playback, to demonstrate proper technique. Each video could end with reflection questions to reinforce learning.

Self-Paced eLearning Module

Characteristics: Independent learning, flexible pacing, usually text or multimedia-based.

  • Strategies: For self-paced courses, it’s essential to include a mix of interactive elements like quizzes, simulations, and case studies. Gamification (adding rewards, badges, or progress tracking) can also help maintain motivation.
  • Example for a Marketing Course: In a self-paced marketing course, learners could work through case studies of successful campaigns and complete interactive assignments like creating their own marketing plan using drag-and-drop tools. Quizzes can be used to reinforce concepts such as the “4 Ps of Marketing.”

Webinars (Live Virtual)

Characteristics: Real-time, often focused on information dissemination with some interaction.

  • Strategies: Webinars are great for incorporating expert-led discussions, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations. To maintain engagement, include polls, chats, or breakout rooms for small group discussions.
  • Example for a Gardening Webinar: During a live gardening webinar, you could incorporate polls to assess learner knowledge in real-time, followed by a Q&A session where learners can ask about specific plants they are growing. Including a live demo where you showcase how to prune a particular plant would enhance the learning experience.

Matching Instructional Strategies to Learning Objectives

Your learning outcomes play a critical role in determining the instructional strategies you choose. If your outcome is highly interactive, such as learning a hands-on skill, you’ll want to ensure your course format supports active learning. Conversely, if your outcome is more knowledge-based, such as understanding theoretical concepts, a lecture-based approach with multimedia support may be sufficient.

Here’s how you can align your instructional strategies with specific learning outcomes:

For Interactive Practical Outcomes

Example Outcome: “Learners will be able to propagate plants using five different techniques.”

  • Recommended Strategies: Hands-on practice, demonstrations, peer feedback.
  • Course Format: Workshops, virtual labs, or interactive video tutorials.
  • Tools: Use platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams for live workshops with breakout rooms, or leverage tools like H5P for creating interactive video tutorials. For learners practising at home, apps like Flipgrid can allow them to submit videos of their plant propagation attempts for peer review.

For Knowledge Retention Outcomes

Example Outcome: “Learners will understand the principles of sustainable gardening.”

  • Recommended Strategies: Microlearning, quizzes, and scenario-based learning.
  • Course Format: Video-based or self-paced modules.
  • Tools: Online platforms and LMS systems are ideal for self-paced modules with built-in quiz features. Platforms like Vimeo or YouTube can host video lessons that are chunked into smaller segments for microlearning.

For Skill Application Outcomes

Example Outcome: “Learners will be able to create a marketing plan for their yoga business.”

  • Recommended Strategies: Case-based learning, project-based assignments, and feedback sessions.
  • Course Format: Self-paced modules or video-based courses.
  • Tools: Platforms that can host video lessons are good ideas. Learners can use tools like Canva or Google Docs to create marketing plans. Peer review or instructor feedback can be facilitated through platforms like Slack, Trello or even Google docs, where learners submit their work for feedback.

Selecting Tools Based on Course Objectives

Once you’ve chosen your instructional strategies, it’s important to select tools that align with your course objectives and enhance the learner experience. Different tools serve different purposes.

Highly Interactive Learning Outcomes may require something allowing interaction, discussions, and hands-on workshops like Zoom or Webex. When learners need to submit video responses, which can be used for peer feedback or self-assessment, consider Flipgrid. If you need to create interactive content like quizzes, branching scenarios, and video-based interactions, you can turn to H5P, Parta or similar.

Knowledge-Based Learning Outcomes may require a more structured approach with platforms offering built-in assessments and quizzes and allowing self-paced learning (Thinkific, Teachable, Kajab). Vimeo, YouTube, and Synthesia are great for hosting video-based lessons that learners can consume at their own pace.

If your Learning Outcomes are around Skill Applications, you may consider tools for organising projects, creating project deliverables such as marketing plans or reports and facilitating peer or instructor feedback (Trello, Slack, Mural, Padlet, Google Docs).

A Tailored Approach to Course Design

Choosing the right instructional strategies and tools is essential for creating a course that is both engaging and effective. By aligning your strategies with the course format and objectives, you ensure that your learners not only absorb the material but can apply it in real-world scenarios.

Regardless of your niche, your chosen tools and strategies must support your goals and outcomes, delivering value to your learners.

Take the time to carefully consider both the format and the specific needs of your learners when designing your course. The right blend of strategies and tools will lead to a more satisfying, impactful learning experience—and ultimately, more successful learners.

  • Instructional Strategies List by Washoe County School District: This resource provides a comprehensive list of instructional strategies with brief explanations and examples. (Direct link to PDF)
  • Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe: This book presents a framework for backward design, which emphasizes starting with the desired learning outcomes and then aligning teaching strategies and assessments accordingly. 
  • 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques by Prodigy Education: This article explores various teaching strategies, including growth mindset, differentiated instruction, and technology integration. 
  • 44 Instructional Strategies Examples for Every Kind of Classroom by We Are Teachers: This article provides a wide range of instructional strategies with practical examples for different classroom settings. 
  • 25 Effective Instructional Strategies For Educators by Top Hat: This blog post focuses on instructional strategies that leverage technology to enhance student engagement and learning. 
  • 15 Instructional Strategies Examples for Effective Learning in 2024 by SC Training: This article explores instructional strategies in the context of modern learning environments, including the use of technology and online platforms. 
This post provides general information about instructional strategies.

Always to consider the specific context and requirements of your learning projects. If you have any questions or would like to delve deeper into the topic, please email me or book a free online consultation via my contact page.

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Make sure to check out my other posts related to planning online courses, designing and developing learning content and delivering training. I share strategies and tools that you can use and many practical tips. 

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