Introduction

Elementary and secondary education seems to be in a constant state of reform and innovation. New standards, curriculum, and materials are ever changing, and teachers often face challenges to keep up. Instructional design plays a unique role in K–12 education as it works to create engaging learning experiences and unique learning environments for students that align with consistent standards and diverse contexts. Often in K–12 education, instructional design roles hold educational technology responsibilities, too, which requires careful balancing. This section includes two case studies that investigate how instructional design is becoming integral to the K–12 learning environment.

Maghan Evans Churchill’s case study “The Making of Makerspaces in the Elementary Classroom” takes a different approach to instructional design. In this case study, Miss Walls, an elementary school teacher, finds her students in a rut and seeks to remedy the situation. While not deliberately stated, Miss Walls takes on the “hat” as an instructional designer when she seeks to find a way to engage her students with the content in a creative way. Her answer is creating a Makerspace for her students to create and explore while engaging with the content. From the genesis of the idea to hurdles on the way to success and finally taking the Makerspace virtual, you get to see it all!