WGU D291 OA STUDY GUIDE: INCORPORATING
DESIGN THINKING IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
(2026/27 UPDATE)
CORE DOMAINS
• Instructional Design Foundations and Models
• Learning Experience Design (LXD) and Human-Centered Design
• Design Thinking Process and Applications
• Learning Theories and Instructional Approaches
• Adult Learning, Andragogy, and Pedagogy
• Needs Analysis, Learner Analysis, and Context Analysis
• Learning Objectives, Assessment, and Backward Design
• Prototyping, Testing, and Iteration
• e-Learning Design and Accessibility
• Competency-Based Education and Mastery Learning
• Evaluation Models and Quality Improvement
• Professional Practice, Ethics, and Collaboration
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the knowledge, critical
thinking, and practical decision-making skills required for success on the WGU
D291 Objective Assessment: Incorporating Design Thinking in Instructional Design.
It assesses mastery of instructional design frameworks (ADDIE, SAM, Backward
,Design), the design thinking process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test),
human-centered design principles, learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism,
constructivism, connectivism), adult learning concepts (andragogy, self-directed
learning, transformative learning), needs and learner analysis, assessment design,
prototyping and evaluation, and competency-based education. Through multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions, the exam emphasizes real-world application,
learner-centered design, and evidence-based decision-making. This resource
prepares candidates for the objective assessment and supports the development
of competent, reflective learning experience designers.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–300
1. What is the primary goal of instructional design?
A. To create visually appealing courses
B. To determine what learners need to know and design instruction to help
them learn efficiently
C. To replace teachers with technology
D. To reduce training costs
RATIONALE: The goal of instructional design is to determine what learners
need to know and design instruction to help them learn the knowledge and skills
needed in the most efficient manner.
2. Which of the following best describes instructional design?
A. A creative process for building websites
B. A systematic process for creating instructional content and assessments
aligned to the learning needs of a target audience
C. A method for writing textbooks
D. A visual design approach
RATIONALE: Instructional design is a systematic process for creating
instructional content and assessments aligned to the learning needs of a target
audience.
,3. What does the acronym ADDIE stand for?
A. Assess, Design, Develop, Instruct, Evaluate
B. Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Analyze, Deliver, Develop, Implement, Examine
D. Apply, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate
RATIONALE: ADDIE stands for Analysis, Design, Development,
Implementation, and Evaluation.
4. Which ADDIE phase involves gathering information about the target
audience's existing knowledge and skills?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Development
D. Implementation
RATIONALE: During the Analysis phase, the instructional designer gathers
information about the target audience's existing knowledge and skills to clarify
the instructional problem.
5. During which ADDIE phase do designers write learning objectives and plan
assessments?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Development
D. Evaluation
RATIONALE: During the Design phase, instructional designers write the
learning objectives and plan the assessments and outline the instructional
content.
6. In which ADDIE phase do developers create and assemble content assets and
assessments?
A. Analysis
B. Design
, C. Development
D. Implementation
RATIONALE: During the Development phase, developers create and assemble
the content assets and assessments.
7. In which ADDIE phase do learners engage with the learning experience?
A. Design
B. Development
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
RATIONALE: During the Implementation phase, learners get to engage with
the learning experience to achieve their learning goals.
8. In which ADDIE phase do designers gather feedback to revise and improve the
learning experience?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
RATIONALE: During the Evaluation phase, designers gather feedback and use
it to revise and improve the learning experience.
9. What model is a simplified version of ADDIE that emphasizes rapid
prototyping?
A. Backward Design
B. Understanding by Design
C. SAM Model
D. Kirkpatrick Model
RATIONALE: The SAM Model (Successive Approximation Model) is a
simplified, iterative version of ADDIE that emphasizes collaboration and rapid
prototyping.
DESIGN THINKING IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
(2026/27 UPDATE)
CORE DOMAINS
• Instructional Design Foundations and Models
• Learning Experience Design (LXD) and Human-Centered Design
• Design Thinking Process and Applications
• Learning Theories and Instructional Approaches
• Adult Learning, Andragogy, and Pedagogy
• Needs Analysis, Learner Analysis, and Context Analysis
• Learning Objectives, Assessment, and Backward Design
• Prototyping, Testing, and Iteration
• e-Learning Design and Accessibility
• Competency-Based Education and Mastery Learning
• Evaluation Models and Quality Improvement
• Professional Practice, Ethics, and Collaboration
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the knowledge, critical
thinking, and practical decision-making skills required for success on the WGU
D291 Objective Assessment: Incorporating Design Thinking in Instructional Design.
It assesses mastery of instructional design frameworks (ADDIE, SAM, Backward
,Design), the design thinking process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test),
human-centered design principles, learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism,
constructivism, connectivism), adult learning concepts (andragogy, self-directed
learning, transformative learning), needs and learner analysis, assessment design,
prototyping and evaluation, and competency-based education. Through multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions, the exam emphasizes real-world application,
learner-centered design, and evidence-based decision-making. This resource
prepares candidates for the objective assessment and supports the development
of competent, reflective learning experience designers.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–300
1. What is the primary goal of instructional design?
A. To create visually appealing courses
B. To determine what learners need to know and design instruction to help
them learn efficiently
C. To replace teachers with technology
D. To reduce training costs
RATIONALE: The goal of instructional design is to determine what learners
need to know and design instruction to help them learn the knowledge and skills
needed in the most efficient manner.
2. Which of the following best describes instructional design?
A. A creative process for building websites
B. A systematic process for creating instructional content and assessments
aligned to the learning needs of a target audience
C. A method for writing textbooks
D. A visual design approach
RATIONALE: Instructional design is a systematic process for creating
instructional content and assessments aligned to the learning needs of a target
audience.
,3. What does the acronym ADDIE stand for?
A. Assess, Design, Develop, Instruct, Evaluate
B. Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Analyze, Deliver, Develop, Implement, Examine
D. Apply, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate
RATIONALE: ADDIE stands for Analysis, Design, Development,
Implementation, and Evaluation.
4. Which ADDIE phase involves gathering information about the target
audience's existing knowledge and skills?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Development
D. Implementation
RATIONALE: During the Analysis phase, the instructional designer gathers
information about the target audience's existing knowledge and skills to clarify
the instructional problem.
5. During which ADDIE phase do designers write learning objectives and plan
assessments?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Development
D. Evaluation
RATIONALE: During the Design phase, instructional designers write the
learning objectives and plan the assessments and outline the instructional
content.
6. In which ADDIE phase do developers create and assemble content assets and
assessments?
A. Analysis
B. Design
, C. Development
D. Implementation
RATIONALE: During the Development phase, developers create and assemble
the content assets and assessments.
7. In which ADDIE phase do learners engage with the learning experience?
A. Design
B. Development
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
RATIONALE: During the Implementation phase, learners get to engage with
the learning experience to achieve their learning goals.
8. In which ADDIE phase do designers gather feedback to revise and improve the
learning experience?
A. Analysis
B. Design
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
RATIONALE: During the Evaluation phase, designers gather feedback and use
it to revise and improve the learning experience.
9. What model is a simplified version of ADDIE that emphasizes rapid
prototyping?
A. Backward Design
B. Understanding by Design
C. SAM Model
D. Kirkpatrick Model
RATIONALE: The SAM Model (Successive Approximation Model) is a
simplified, iterative version of ADDIE that emphasizes collaboration and rapid
prototyping.
