Strategic Leadership in Instructional Design

Abstract

The dynamic growth of distance education (DE) in the higher education poses a challenge for both leadership and instructional design strategies in post-secondary institutions. Curricular efficacy and sustainability are dependent upon institutions of higher education adapting to changes by implementing strategies that will work to address the increasing necessity for engaging curriculum for students in the DE environment. Strategic leadership (SL) skills, combined with instructional design (ID) strategy, may provide a pathway towards academic accomplishment for both students and instructors in the higher education sector. Instructional designers with strategic leadership skills may assist institutions in developing and implementing DE courses. The question is, how can instructional designers accommodate the needs of a diverse group of students in the growing technology-rich educational environment, and does strategic leadership play a role? If so, how can instructional designers act strategically to design and develop DE courses that encourage active learning and continued interest in educational attainment? The focus of this chapter is on how instructional designers can take on strategic leadership roles to enhance distance education curriculum and instruction for overall student engagement. For the purposes of this chapter, distance education is defined as learning that occurs over the internet. Discussion includes how integrating strategic leadership into the instructional design process in distance education courses may result in increased student and institutional effectiveness.