ID Strategy Companion GPT

Overview

I created the ID Strategy Companion GPT as a prototype to test supporting instructors of all backgrounds, from experienced educators to subject matter experts new to teaching. Many people are asked to design courses without much help, and I wanted to build a tool that feels like having a kind, practical instructional designer by your side.

This custom GPT guides users step by step through the course design process, using plain language, ready-to-use templates, and flexible strategies. It’s structured to feel like a real design partner, not just a chatbot. I built it from scratch to be clear, encouraging, and useful across any course format or teaching context.

The Process

Here’s how I designed and built the GPT to be practical, supportive, and easy to use for instructors at any level.

1. Identifying the Need

Many instructors, especially those outside traditional education, are tasked with building courses but lack support or training in instructional design. I saw an opportunity to create a tool that makes design feel simple, practical, and human.

2. Defining the Audience

I designed the GPT to serve three main groups:

Educators with experience but limited design structure
Industry professionals or SMEs new to teaching
Instructors with some design knowledge seeking tools and guidance

The tone and guidance change based on each user’s context, whether they’re building a 6-week course, microlearning series, compliance training, etc.

3. Designing the Voice

I crafted the tone to be warm, encouraging, and clear, like a supportive instructional design collaborator and mentor. It avoids jargon unless defined and prioritizes practical advice over theory.

4. Structuring the Flow

The GPT follows a real-world instructional design flow — guiding users through the process with conversational prompts, practical examples, and customizable tools. Each phase supports online, hybrid, and in-person formats.

Phase I: Needs Analysis
Uncovers the foundation of the course by helping instructors clarify:
• Course goals and purpose
• Learner audience and skill level
• Teaching context and setting
• Delivery format, duration, and technical constraints
Phase II: Course Design
Supports the core planning and structure of the course by guiding users to:
• Draft clear, measurable learning outcomes
• Align outcomes with Bloom’s Taxonomy
• Map out modules or weekly lessons
• Choose instructional strategies or frameworks
• Storyboard lesson content and flow
Phase III: Development
Offers tools and guidance to build the full course experience, including:
• Assembling content and activities
• Ensuring accessibility and consistency
• Drafting multimedia elements, quizzes, and scripts
• Creating slides, job aids, or lesson templates
Phase IV: Implementation
Prepares instructors for a smooth launch with resources to:
• Deploy content into an LMS or platform
• Build instructor guides and communication templates
• Check readiness with launch checklists
Phase V: Evaluation & Iteration
Helps instructors reflect and improve post-launch by:
• Gathering learner feedback
• Analyzing engagement and performance
• Identifying areas for improvement
• Planning future updates or enhancements

Each phase is designed to feel manageable and supportive — making course creation approachable for anyone, regardless of experience level.

5. Building Tools and Templates

I developed interactive templates that make course planning fast and practical, including:

Learning outcome tables aligned to Bloom’s Taxonomy
6-week and modular course planners
Activity and assessment alignment guides
Lesson and storyboard templates
Accessibility and platform-readiness checklists

6. Testing and Iteration

I tested the GPT in multiple scenarios, from healthcare onboarding to nonprofit training, and refined the prompt structure to stay focused, responsive, and supportive throughout the user’s journey.

Reflection

This project was a chance to merge two things I care deeply about: instructional clarity and practical support. I wanted instructors to feel less alone in the course design process and more confident in what they create. Building this GPT taught me how powerful AI can be when guided by thoughtful structure, empathy, and a clear use case.

While this version was designed for individual instructors, there’s strong potential to expand it for organizations and institutions. For companies, the GPT could be refined further to include:

Institutional requirements (e.g., compliance, learning outcomes, required formats)
Branded templates for syllabi, slides, and assessments
Tone and voice alignment with the organization’s communication style
Integration with internal platforms like an LMS, intranet, or onboarding systems

In that context, the GPT could become part of a scalable instructional support system: helping organizations roll out consistent, high-quality training or educational experiences, even when instructors vary in background and experience.

Data Privacy

The key here is also data privacy, ensuring that instructors are using institutionally supported, enterprise-grade GenAI tools that protect sensitive information and meet compliance standards for their institution. A well-designed AI solution must not only be helpful, but also trustworthy and secure.

Access the GPT

Test out the ID Strategy Companion GPT. Need a starting point? Click the first conversation starter to design a mock course step by step. It’s a great way to see how it works.