10 Books on eLearning Every Professional ID Should Read

Today’s blog would have Wishbone the Dog positively yelping with delight— we’re talking 10 books on eLearning every professional ID should read!

Now, we know what you’re thinking—“How could I possibly have time to read books on eLearning while I’m busy building the meanest freelance ID biz around?”

That’s fair, freelie. But, we really encourage you to squeeze some old-fashioned reading time into your schedule when you can.

Reading is a great way to further your career and sharpen up your ID skills. It makes you a better writer, listener, communicator, leader, teacher, and learner! Plus, you get to be one of those people that’s all like, “Ohhhh you didn’t read so and so’s new book on eLearning? I did. Ages ago, dahling!” Don’t you want to be that person at parties?

Ok, without further ado, here’s 10 books on eLearning we recommend!

1. Michael Allen's Guide to e-Learning: Building Interactive, Fun, and Effective Learning Programs for Any Company

-Michael W. Allen

Michael Allen, also known as “The Father of eLearning,” is a well-recognized author, software developer, educator, and instructional design aficionado. In this best-selling book, Michael demonstrates the very best practices for building online learning programs that are fun, effective, and interactive. From history lessons to case studies and everything in between, you’ll definitely walk away with a fresh perspective on eLearning and how you can up your game!

2. Design for How People Learn

-Julie Dirksen

Author Julie Dirksen is a respected international speaker and instructor and has been recognized by The eLearning Guild as a “Guild Master.” How cool is she? In this book, Julie teaches you all the best methods for sharing the knowledge you have with other people, with a concentration on learning, memory, and attention. If you’ve struggled in the past with getting through dense, difficult-to-comprehend textbooks, this is a good option for you as there’s lots of visual aids and easy to absorb examples.

3. e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning

-Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer

Double the authors, double the fun! Written by Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer, this one is the ultimate handbook on eLearning design. Whether you’re just starting out in instructional design, or an old pro, there’s plenty to learn here. A few examples include, the best practices for communicating effectively, using evidence-based techniques to engage your learners, and the benefits of scenario-based eLearning. Plus, handy dandy checklists and research summaries!

4. E-Learning by Design

-William Horton

If you’re struggling to keep up with the ever-changing technological (and societal) landscape that is eLearning, William Horton’s “e-Learning by Design” will be an indispensable handbook for you! From the basics in instructional design to the very latest methodologies in eLearning, design, development, and evaluation, this one will help you stay on top of the ever-changing field that is instructional design. It’s a big boy at 640 pages, but don’t let that scare you!

5. What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer

-Dr. Luke Hobson

This book, released in September 2021, is for anyone out there thinking about becoming an instructional designer. Dr. Luke Hobson helps you avoid some of the pitfalls and misfires he encountered in his own career in a totally down to earth, delightful way. We really recommend this one for anyone just starting out or with a couple years under their belt!

6. The Accidental Instructional Designer: Learning Design for the Digital Age

-Cammy Bean

Cammy Bean has one message for you— don’t create boring eLearning! She covers it all from designing graphics, to understanding the basics, and creating scenarios. If you’re finding yourself “an accidental” ID and want to become a super professional, full-time one, then this fresh, modern take on instructional design is the book for you. A delight.

7. Map It: The hands-on guide to strategic training design

-Cathy Moore

Cathy Moore’s “Map It,” wants you to know— NO. MORE. INFORMATION. DUMPS! And Cathy Moore should know. She’s the creator of the action mapping model! This book will not only help you identify what’s causing a client’s performance problem but will also teach you how to streamline and simplify your design process to address those very issues. If needs analysis and training design is your thing (and it should be)— check this

one out!

8. ISD From The Ground Up: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design

-Chuck Hodell

Chuck Hodell is “the man who wrote the book on ISD- literally,” with more than 30 years of experience in the world of training and education. This one is an industry staple that spans just about everything you need to know about instructional systems design and the ADDIE approach. It’s a robust compendium that eLearning professionals will find invaluable to their collection!

9. Instructional Design for eLearning: Essential guide for designing successful eLearning courses

-Marina Arshavskiy

This one really says it all in the title— it’s an essential guide that takes you through every step in the design and development process, including up-to-date techniques, checklists, case studies, and assessments. Marina has won multiple awards for her course designs, so you can feel confident that you’re getting tips n’ tricks from the best!

10. The ID CaseBook: Case Studies in Instructional Design

-Peggy A. Ertmer, James A. Quinn, and Krista D. Glazewski

If there’s one thing you gotta be as an instructional designer— it’s a problem solver. This book provides 26 realistic, open-ended case studies that promote just that! Not only that, but the case studies cover a wide variety of client types (k-12, post-secondary, and corporate clients), and at different points in the design process. Each case study is accompanied by discussion questions that encourage students (you!) to work out a plan of attack in resolving the problem. Spice up your collection of books on eLearning with this one!

Conclusion

That’s our list of ten books on eLearning to check out! All of these books can be found on Amazon, as well as the usual book sellers of the interwebs.

Obviously, you can’t be expected to read ALL of these books, at least not at once! What are ya, a walkin lie-berry? Pick one or two that interest you the most and check them out!