ISD From the Ground Up: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design

by Chuck Hodell

Overview

Your All-In-One Guide to ISD

Known as “the man who wrote the book on ISD,” Chuck Hodell offers a comprehensive and practical handbook on core instructional systems design (ISD) practices and principles with a practitioner’s eye.

This updated fifth edition covers all the basics and many advanced tenets of ISD, walking you through each phase, including advanced concepts such as microlearning, social media, and leveraging technology. Stand-alone chapters offer crucial support to practitioners building foundational skills, while in-depth tutorials on subjects such as collaborating with experts offer rich insights to guide the credentialed designer.

This fully revised and expanded volume offers new case studies, discussion questions, and sample design and lesson plans, ISD From the Ground Up demystifies the learning design process. Whether you are just getting your feet wet or have extensive experience in ISD, this industry staple provides the essential building blocks and more for ISD mastery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781957157719
Publisher:	Association for Talent Development
Publication date:	04/22/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	356
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Chuck Hodell has been writing about, practicing, and teaching instructional systems design (ISD) for more than 35 years. His bestselling editions of ISD From the Ground Up, SMEs From the Ground Up, and his Introduction to Instructional Systems Design, also published by ATD Press, are popular with students and practitioners alike. Chuck has designed training programs for corporations, nonprofits, apprenticeship programs, and the White House. He is an affiliate professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in the PhD and graduate programs in Palliative Care, a teaching faculty member at Northeastern University, past Deputy Provost at the National Labor College, and past academic leadership and faculty member at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I: The Science and Art of ISD

1. Welcome to the World of Instructional Design
2. Nine Generations of Learning Transfer
3. Theories and Models of Instructional Design

Part II: The Work of the Instructional Designer

1. Analysis Process and Procedures
2. Learning Design
3. Behavioral Objectives and Objective Domains
4. Development and Learning Management Systems
5. Implementation Plans, Long and Short
6. Evaluation as Quality Control

Part III: Advanced Concepts and Practices in ISD

1. Adult Learners
2. Collaborative Partnerships With Subject Matter Experts
3. Social Media Advantages and Challenges
4. Informal Learning, Microlearning, and Competency-Based Learning and Evaluation
5. Criticality, the Content Mastery Continuum, and the Mastery Tipping Point
6. Migrating Courses Online

Acknowledgments

Glossary of ISD Terms

References

Index

About the Author

About ATD

Editorial Reviews

ISD From the Ground Up is a masterful guide for learning designers, offering clear, practical insights grounded in theory and real-world application. This latest edition is essential for anyone looking to create meaningful, effective learning experiences that stand the test of time.”
—Catherine Zaranis, MA, Founder and CEO, Perform-Link

 “If you’re new to instructional design or feeling lost, this is the book you need. Chuck Hodell’s ISD From the Ground Up is your trusted guide, walking you step-by-step through the instructional design process.”
—Dennise Cardona, Learning & Development Director, Sunny Bee Productions

“If you are looking for one single book that can teach you all you need to know to effectively practice instructional design, this is the best choice! ISD From the Ground Up provides information, guidance, and resources that all instructional designers and learning and development professionals need to excel in their roles.”
—Miko Nino, PhD, Assistant Vice President for Adult and Online Education, Rhode Island College

“ISD From the Ground Up is not only evidence-based, it's practical. It feels like Chuck Hodell is sitting right next to you giving you guidance! This gem is a have-to-have book."
—Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, PhD, Professor and Executive Director, Post-Graduate Advanced Education in Palliative Care, Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

From the Publisher