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Access Type

WSU Access

Date of Award

January 2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Instructional Technology

First Advisor

Monica W. Tracey

Abstract

Millions of people are part of the global creator economy. As more digital content creators shift from producing entertaining to educational content, the number of digital entrepreneurs who design, develop, and deliver instruction without awareness of the practice and profession of instructional design is likely to increase.

Decision making is a skill instructional designers use at every phase of the design process. A growing body of research explores how formally educated or trained designers develop their decision-making capabilities and the factors that influence their design decisions. But what guides the design decisions of designers who do not have any formal education or training in instructional design? Based on semi-structured interviews with nine Black women digital entrepreneurs from various industries, this qualitative research study explores how Black women digital entrepreneurs make decisions when designing and developing digital learning products. Implications for practicing, teaching, and researching issues in instructional design; integrating principles of design justice and inclusive design into the practice and profession; and designing instruction for informal learning in virtual spaces are discussed. Recommendations for future research about justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in instructional design; decision making in instructional design; the intersection of digital entrepreneurship and instructional design; and designer identity are also shared.

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