What is the purpose of a storyboard in instructional design?

A storyboard in instructional design serves as a crucial tool for visually outlining the flow and structure of instructional content. It provides a framework that maps out each step of the learning experience, detailing how information will be presented, the sequence of activities, and the interactions learners will have with the content. By using a visual format, a storyboard helps instructional designers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to align on the objectives and ensure that the instructional materials support the desired learning outcomes. This visual representation makes it easier to identify gaps in content, assess the overall organization, and make adjustments before the actual development of the course begins.

The other options—listing all resources required for a course, evaluating instructor performance, and summarizing learner feedback—serve specific purposes in the instructional design process but do not encapsulate the primary role of a storyboard. While resources are essential for course development and evaluating instructor performance is important for quality assurance, these activities occur separately and do not define the storyboard's function. Similarly, summarizing learner feedback is valuable for course enhancement but does not relate to the initial design and flow established in a storyboard.