Curriculum Developer vs. Instructional Designer - What's the Difference?

Potato, potawto, tomato, tamatoh...right? 

Curriculum development and instructional design - those are the same things, right? Well, not necessarily. In my quest to clarify some terms in this relatively young field of Instructional Technology, I have found myself thinking a lot about the differences in these two terms. What am I?

I work as a Curriculum Developer for a large software company. Like most people, I have a job description that outlines my duties. And probably like most people, I would say that I do so much more than what is technically listed in that outline. So, I got to thinking...am I a Curriculum Developer, Instructional Designer, Trainer? WHAT AM I?!? Are these even the same things? So, off to research (Ok, ok, surf the internet) I went!

Here's what I discovered.

Curriculum Developers are professional experts in all things learning. They know a lot about learning theory, learning methods, educational best practices as well as the wide spectrum of learning content delivery media (classroom-based, online, synchronous, asynchronous, webinars, e-learning etc.) Curriculum Developers are adept at looking at the big picture, or blueprint, of an organization's learning needs and then mapping out the best path to achieving those needs. 

The ability to identify which content is necessary in reaching an organization's goal is key. The Curriculum Developer's knowledge of learning theories supports their ability to properly sequence relevant foundational concepts  and essential building blocks which are necessary for mastery of the identified content. Some Curriculum Developers also serve as subject matter experts (SMEs) and have some overlapping expertise in Instructional Design.

Instructional Designers are professional experts in the development of actual courses (pieces of the big picture). The development of courses includes content flow, typically designed using a preferred instructional design model, and specific learning activities that will be used to most efficiently achieve the learning goals of the organization If the organization has a Curriculum Developer, this is typically the content outlined in the Curriculum Developer's blueprint. When developing the actual courses, Instructional Designers are experts in understanding which instructional design model best meets the needs of their organization. Common instructional design models include: ADDIE, The Dick and Carey Model, ASSURE, and Morrison, Ross, & Kemp, but there are oh so many more to choose from! Instructional Designers often specialize in some medium of delivery (live, e-learning, or both)

The Dick and Carey Model

Role of the Dick and Carey Model in the Broader Curriculum Development Process

Typically, Curriculum Developers and Instructional Designers work closely together. They often have overlapping areas of expertise. So, while each entity has its own areas of specialty, they truly rely on each other to build an end instructional product that helps an organization most effectively and efficiently produce learning outcomes.

Sources:

https://ascendtraining.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/curriculum-development-and-instructional-design/

http://www.hastudio.us/5_CV/thesystematicdesignofinstruction.pdf