5 Ways Instructional Designers Can Use ChatGPT

Jan 26

Jan 26 5 Ways Instructional Designers Can Use ChatGPT

It’s impossible to login to LinkedIn and not be bombarded by every other post talking about ChatGPT. Even though it’s extremely repetitive and slightly cringeworthy, I get why all of us are talking about it. The first time I heard about ChatGPT, I didn’t believe what it could do, but after speaking with a friend, I caved in and went down the ChatGPT rabbit hole. That’s when my mind exploded and I’ve been trying to pick up the pieces ever since.

So first thing is first, what’s ChatGPT? It’s the AI service that’s going to replace us all and create a new world order. Just kidding (nervous laughter because I can’t tell when this will happen). All jokes aside, let’s ask ChatGPT to see how it defines itself:

GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a state-of-the-art language generation model developed by OpenAI. It is pre-trained on a massive amount of text data and can generate human-like text in response to a given prompt or question. This can be used in various natural language processing tasks such as text summarization, translation, question answering and conversation.

GPT-3, specifically, is the latest version of GPT, it was trained on a dataset of over 570GB of text data and is able to produce highly coherent and contextually appropriate text, making it a powerful tool for natural language generation tasks. In the context of chat, GPT can be used to generate human-like responses to user input in a conversational setting. This can be used to create chatbots, virtual assistants, or other conversational interfaces that can understand and respond to user input in a natural and human-like way.

Let me put this in a more human way. Do you remember Smarterchild? It was a chatbot on AOL instant messenger that all of us loved to mess with. It was the first time you could have a chat with AI and have an actual conversation. You could ask it questions about movie times, the weather, and other slightly useful things. Now of course, none of us actually did this and we tried to break the model by using nonsense terminology from back in the 90s.

Now, let’s fast forward to 2023 and people are thinking that ChatGPT will replace us all. Our reactions as a society remind me of when Google first became a thing or when we all switched to smartphones. There was a mass hysteria about not knowing how to use this new technology, therefore, let’s shun it out of our lives and pretend like it doesn’t exist. I remember when my friends first got smartphones and they said that since they now wield the power of Google in their pockets, they won’t have to learn anything. That didn’t really come true, but instead, we found ways to use smartphones in our daily lives and most of us can’t think of a world without them.

This is my prediction with ChaptGPT. We learned to live with Google, smartphones, and other advanced technology so we will learn about how to incorporate this AI model into our lives as well. I’ve personally been using ChatGPT on a daily basis with experimenting on a number of items. Since my world is instructional design, you can take a guess that I have been thinking about ChatGPT and designing learning experiences. So, let me share with you 5 items that I think it can help us with. Please note how I said help and I didn’t say replace us.

My perspective on ChatGPT is that it’s a kick starter. When your brain doesn’t have anything left in the tank and you need a kick start of creativity, ChatGPT is there for you. It can’t do the work for you because it’s not a perfect model. There are plenty of times where I see the results and they’re good, but not good enough. With all of that said, let’s talk about 5 ways to use ChatGPT as an instructional designer.

Resumes

Whenever an inspiring instructional designer asks to see what my resume looks like, I’m reminded about how much I hate resumes. They are a necessary chore that you push off until you realize you need to dust the ol’ thing off again to go find a new job. Initially, I asked ChatGPT to write me resume for an instructional designer, and it was okay, but it heavily focused on the e-learning side of the house. Since my background focuses more on learning experiences, learning sciences, and working with SMEs, I asked for a revised version of the resume. Here is the dialogue:

Luke: Write for me an instructional design resume where the focus is on designing learning experiences with using learning sciences. Also, include collaborating with subject matter experts.

Chapt GPT: Name: Jane Doe

Contact Information:

Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: janedoe@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe

Summary:

Instructional designer with a focus on using the learning sciences to design effective and engaging learning experiences. Skilled in collaborating with subject matter experts to create instructional materials that align with business and learning objectives. Strong background in adult education, experience in utilizing various instructional design models, and proficiency in e-learning software.

Education:

PhD in Learning Sciences, XYZ University, City, State (20XX)
Master of Education in Adult Education, ABC College, City, State (20XX)

Experience:

Instructional Designer, XYZ Company (20XX-Present)

Collaborate with subject matter experts and cross-functional teams to design and develop instructional materials that align with business and learning objectives.
Utilize the latest research in the learning sciences to design effective and engaging learning experiences.
Proficient in e-learning software such as Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate, to create interactive and multimedia-rich courses.
Conduct needs assessments, evaluate course effectiveness, and make recommendations for improvements using learning analytics.
Stay current on industry trends and best practices in instructional design and learning sciences.

Instructional Designer, ABC Corporation (20XX-20XX)

Worked with subject matter experts to design and develop instructor-led training materials, including facilitator guides, participant handouts, and assessments.
Utilized the latest research in the learning sciences to create engaging and interactive e-learning courses using Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate.
Conducted needs assessments, evaluated course effectiveness, and made recommendations for improvements using learning analytics.
Stayed current on industry trends and best practices in instructional design and the learning sciences.

Skills:

Strong understanding of the learning sciences and how to apply it in instructional design
Experience in collaboration with subject matter experts
Proficient in e-learning software: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Strong understanding of adult learning principles
Experience with needs assessment and evaluation using learning analytics
Familiarity with various instructional design models such as ADDIE, SAM, Agile

Certifications:

Certified Learning Experience Designer (CLED) from the Association for Talent Development (ATD)
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) from ISACA

Professional Development:

Annual conferences and workshops on the learning sciences and instructional design
Webinars and online courses related to instructional design, learning sciences and e-learning

Please note that this is a sample resume and should be adjusted according to your experience and qualifications. Also, make sure that you always proofread and customize your resume to the job you're applying for.

Is it perfect? No. Is it a good head start for someone thinking about trying to tackle an instructional design resume for the first time or to spruce up their current resume? Yes.

2. Cover Letters

Just as painful as resume writing comes creating cover letters. While they are difficult to do, as a hiring manager, I enjoy reading them since I love to learn more about the applicant before speaking with them. So, to ChaptGPT I went and asked it to write for me a cover letter for an instructional design position:

Luke: Write for me a cover letter for an instructional design position.

ChatGPT:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Today's Date]
[Hiring Manager's Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the instructional design position at [Company Name]. With a PhD in Learning Sciences, a Master of Education in Adult Education, and several years of experience in the field, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.
As an instructional designer, I have a passion for using the latest research in the learning sciences to create effective and engaging learning experiences. I have experience collaborating with subject matter experts to design and develop instructional materials that align with business and learning objectives. I have also proficiency in e-learning software such as Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate, which allow me to create interactive and multimedia-rich courses.
At my current position at [Current Company], I have been responsible for conducting needs assessments, evaluating course effectiveness, and making recommendations for improvements using learning analytics. My experience and skills in this area will make a positive contribution to your organization.
I am excited about the opportunity to join the team at [Company Name] and to contribute my expertise in instructional design and the learning sciences to help create effective and engaging learning experiences for your learners. I look forward to discussing my qualifications in more detail during an interview. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Once again, not a bad start! This is especially useful to me if you are submitting cover letter after cover letter. It’s difficult to customize and tailor each one with talking about specifics of the role and changing the hiring manager’s and company’s name. This could save some folks a bit of time.

3. Case Studies

Now, let’s get into the more instructional design related tasks. If you are like me, you love designing scenario-based learning assessments. I absolutely love them, but boy oh boy, they take a lot of mental effort to create. I found that when I asked ChatGPT to create a scenario-based problem, it was okay, but when I said “write for me a case study,” it actually produced better results. I’m not sure why, but having a fictional case study is pretty much a scenario-based problem so I went with it. I asked our friend ChatGPT to create an example of an organization needing leadership training to help with middle management. Sure enough, it went to work:

Luke: Write for me a case study on an organization realizing that it needs leadership training to help their middle managers.

Chat GPT:

“Sure, here's a fictional case study about a company called "BetterWorks" that realizes it needs leadership training for its middle managers:
BetterWorks is a rapidly growing software company that specializes in project management tools. The company has experienced significant growth in the past few years, and as a result, its management team has expanded to include several middle managers. However, as the company continues to grow, the management team has begun to notice a lack of consistency in the performance and decision-making of its middle managers.
To address this issue, the management team conducts a company-wide survey to gather feedback from employees about their managers. The survey results reveal that the middle managers lack the necessary leadership skills and are struggling to effectively manage their teams. Many employees report feeling disempowered and disengaged, leading to high turnover rates in those teams.
Recognizing the urgent need to address the issue, the management team at BetterWorks decides to invest in leadership training for its middle managers. The company works with a consulting firm that specializes in leadership development to design a customized training program.
The training program includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job coaching, with a focus on developing key leadership skills such as communication, problem-solving, and team management. The middle managers also learn about the latest management trends and best practices, as well as the company's vision and values.
In the months following the training, the company sees a marked improvement in the performance and decision-making of its middle managers. Employee engagement and satisfaction improves, leading to a reduction in turnover rates. Additionally, teams under these managers are performing better with clear direction and well-defined goals.
The management team at BetterWorks realizes that investing in leadership training for its middle managers was crucial for the company's continued growth and success. The leadership training provided its middle managers the necessary tools to effectively lead their teams, which in turn improved the overall performance of the organization.”

Now, first thing is first, this scenario is quite long, but case studies are usually a bit lengthy. If I wanted to, since this is a chatbot, I can ask it to make it shorter or change some of the wording. You would also need to customize this for your target audience to make sure that the settings, environment, and factors match the context to what you are designing around. It needs work, but it’s a great idea booster for thinking about a scenario.

4. Learning Objectives

Creating concise, clear, and transparent learning objectives are core to an instructional designer. Learning objectives are one of the foundations of instructional design after all. So, I was curious, could ChatGPT give me a headstart with providing learning objectives? This task was something I really wanted to see given that it’s pretty time consuming to come up with learning objectives when working with SMEs. Here’s the dialogue:

Luke: Write for me 5 learning objectives for a new leadership program that focuses on strategy, technology, finances, and culture.

ChatGPT:

Develop an understanding of the key components of strategic leadership and learn how to create and execute effective strategic plans that align with the organization's goals and objectives.
Acquire knowledge of key technologies and trends in the industry, and learn how to leverage technology to drive business growth and improve operational efficiency.
Understand the financial principles and practices that drive successful organizations, and learn how to analyze financial data to make informed business decisions.
Learn how to build and maintain a positive organizational culture that supports employee engagement and productivity, and promotes teamwork and collaboration.
Develop the leadership skills needed to effectively communicate, inspire, and motivate employees, and to lead change initiatives in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment.

Well, at least it tried? When creating learning objectives, there are a couple of golden rules. Rule #1, never use the terms understand, know, and learn. It’s not assessable or definable. My perception of understand and the student’s perception of understand are not going to be on the same page. Same thing can be said about know and learn. Rule #2, use one verb per learning objective. When instructional designers narrow down the ask to a singular action, we can create assessments and learning activities to support achieving the learning objective.

Different verbs would call for different kinds of assessments. If we look at learning objective #4, it mentions building and maintaining a culture. To build a culture is different compared with maintaining a culture, therefore, I would be designing with 2 different tasks. To me, learning objectives and ChatGPT were a swing and a miss, however, since this is a chatbot, I can go back and say, “Revise learning objective #3 to not use the word understand.” This will then give me a more defined learning objective.

5. Podcast Scripts

I’m an instructional designer and a podcaster so you can bet that I create podcasts for my courses. However, not everyone has the skillset or quite frankly, wants to become a podcaster. So, how can we provide some kind of alternative? The most common hangup I hear from folks wanting to create a podcast is that they don’t know the material enough to create a script around the topic. You would need to find a SME to work with and then learn how to write a podcast script, which is quite different from normal writing. It’s much more conversational in tone and for my academic folks out there, this style of writing is hard to do. APA style has been beaten into your heads and now you are being asked to make your writing more free flowing. Could ChatGPT write for you a quick podcast script around a course topic? Well…

Luke: Write for me a podcast script around the importance of networking with colleagues.

ChatGPT:

Sure, here's a sample script for a podcast episode about the importance of networking with colleagues:
[Opening music and intro]
Host: Welcome to "Career Connections," the podcast that explores the keys to success in the modern workplace. I'm your host, [Your Name], and on today's episode, we're going to talk about the power of networking with your colleagues.
[Segment 1: The benefits of networking]
Host: Networking with your colleagues is one of the most important things you can do for your career. Not only does it allow you to build relationships with people in your field, but it also gives you access to new opportunities, information, and ideas. Studies have shown that people who have a strong network of professional contacts are more likely to be successful in their careers and to find new job opportunities.
[Segment 2: How to network effectively]
Host: So, how do you go about building a strong network of professional contacts? One way is to make an effort to get to know your colleagues. Take the time to have lunch or coffee with them, attend company events and meetings, and participate in team-building activities. You can also look for networking opportunities outside of your company, such as attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and participating in online forums or groups.
[Segment 3: Overcoming networking barriers]
Host: For some people, networking can be intimidating or even uncomfortable. If you're one of these people, it's important to remember that everyone feels this way at first. The key is to take small steps and to be persistent. Start by talking to the people you already know, and then gradually expand your network. Another tip is to have a goal or a specific reason for networking, it can help to have a clear purpose for the conversation and make it easier to initiate.
[Segment 4: Conclusion]
Host: Building a strong network of professional contacts takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the long run. By networking with your colleagues, you'll gain access to new opportunities, information, and ideas, and you'll be more likely to achieve your career goals. Remember, networking is not about being pushy or self-serving, it's about building genuine relationships and creating a mutually beneficial environment. So, get out there and start connecting with your colleagues today!
[Closing music and outro]
Host: Thanks for listening to "Career Connections." We'll be back next week with more tips and strategies for success in the modern workplace. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review, it helps us to reach more people and provide valuable content. See you next time!

This one, it nailed. It made me laugh because podcast hosts are quirky people that have an edge to them. The way that this script was written provides that kind of feel. It wasn’t written as a lecture, but to be seen as informative and entertaining. If I was starting a podcast today and wanted to get a kick start for some episode ideas, I am 100% using ChatGPT.

Summary

So, is ChatGPT perfect? No, it’s not. It’s not replacing you or stealing your job, but you should be familiar with its capabilities. We are on version 3 and there will be version 4 before you know it. My best guess is that we will learn to live with ChatGPT and embrace this technology when designing learning experiences.

If you would like to hear more, you can check out this YouTube clip of my initial thoughts with ChatGPT.