Introduction

While each subfield covered in this book offers a unique approach to instructional design, there are, of course, commonalities that unite them. These commonalities are especially true during times of societal change. Some changes that cross fields include societal recognition of injustices that influence a renewed emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in training and education, pandemics that completely upend normal routines, or overdue compliance requirements around accessibility.

In this section, two case studies highlight the impact of societal shifts on the field of instructional design. In “A Case Study in Connecting Students and Learning in a Pandemic Era: Enhancing Student Engagement and Persistence,” Melanie Jackson explains how a higher education instructional design unit responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. She explores how the unit had prepared for such risks and lessons learned for the future. There are lessons here related to building an instructional design unit that is prepared for the unexpected and adaptable.