Qualifications

In 2009, research showed that among those individuals who were working as instructional designers:
~ 60% do not have a degree
~ 38% have a graduate degree in Instructional Design
~ 1% responded that they have an Instructional Design degree (level is unspecified)
Top 10 List
So, what does it take to be an effective and innovative designer of online courses?
This list focuses on instructional design for eLearning. The successful instructional designer should:
1. Conceptually and intuitively understand how people learn.
2. Know how to connect with an audience on an emotional level.
3. Be capable of imagining oneself as the learner/audience member.
4. Be obsessed with learning everything.
5. Brainstorm creative treatments and innovative instructional strategies.
6. Visualize instructional graphics, the user interface, interactions and the finished product.
7. Write effective copy, instructional text, audio scripts and video scripts.
8. Meld minds with Subject Matter Experts and team members.
9. Know the capabilities of eLearning development tools and software.
10. Understand related fieldsusability and experience design, information design,
communications and new technologies.

Malamed, C. (2009). 10 qualities of the ideal instructional designer. Retrieved on October 31, 2014,
from: http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/10-qualities-of-the-ideal-instructional-designer/