Chapter 18: Critical Race Theory in Instructional Design

Designing educational experience for learners is a systematic process (Reiser, 2001). Instructors, learners, instructional materials, instructional activities, delivery systems, and learning environments, are all factors which influence the effectiveness of the experience. According to Reiser (2001), instructional design is the “analysis of learning and performance problems, and the design, development, implementation, evaluation and management of instructional and noninstructional processes and resources intended to improve learning and performance in a variety of settings” (p. 53). In the process, the in-depth understanding of learners is an inseparable component, which usually includes the analysis of learners’ entry skills, prior knowledge of topic area, attitudes towards content and potential delivery systems, academic motivation, educational and ability level, general learning preferences, group characteristics etc. (Dick, Carey, & Carey, 2015). In the analysis, instructional designers recognize learners’ cultural backgrounds as an important influencer for effective instruction (Kartal, Toprak, & Kumtepe, 2018; Rogers, Graham, & Mayes, 2007). However, less attention is paid to learners’ racial identifications, as well as the power dynamics among learners, especially those in the disadvantaged groups. These factors are oftentimes latent but have vital influence on the effectiveness of instruction. In order to address these important but less attended to aspects in instructional design, in this chapter, the authors will apply the perspectives of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and discuss how it may inform the instructional design theories and practices. The authors will first provide an overview of instructional design and the critical race theory, and then discuss three specific angles CRT provides to inform the field of instructional design. Finally, the authors will integrate CRT into one instructional design model, the Motivational Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching (MFCRT) and discuss how this instructional design model intersects with CRT.