ASID Recognized Nationally for Educational Excellence in Online Learning

The professional interior design community encompasses a range of professionals with varying skills and talents that address not only aesthetics, but also function and safety in the built environment. Many of those seeking to distinguish themselves in the profession take on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Exam, which is a mark of extensive knowledge of codes and standards in the built environment for the safely of people and planet. The exam is challenging, and the task of preparing for it can be daunting to a busy professional in today’s world. In many cases, candidates studying for the extensive three-part examination are not recent graduates or experienced in standardized testing.

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) identified this educational gap and devised an NCIDQ exam preparatory course using current educational research and modeling to support its members taking on the exam and ensure their success.

There are a few options offered in the marketplace for NCIDQ test takers; however, ASID’s blended learning model offers a distinct learning experience. Blended learning combines traditional face-to-face and/or live synchronous webinar instruction with asynchronous online learning content. This model has proven to be an effective approach for preparing busy working professionals who are a little out of practice from studying. It leverages the strengths of both in-person or live interaction and digital flexibility, catering to a variety of learning preferences while maximizing engagement and retention.

The benefits of a blended learning model which have been exemplified in ASID’s prep course include the following.

Flexibility

Course participants study at their own pace or asynchronously, allowing them to balance work and personal responsibilities, in addition to study time.

Engagement through Active Learning

Blended learning environments often use interactive tools, such as quizzes, discussion boards, and live virtual sessions to engage learners. These components are encouraging for course participants by increasing retention, providing active peer support, and enhancing the learner experience.

Use of Diverse Learning Resources

While the ASID course had a list of required textbooks for all participants to have, other recommended resources were suggested, in addition to sharing resources they found or studying techniques used with their peers. Developing a learning and sharing support course “community” allows learners to experience content in different ways and forms, which caters to learner preferences and improves overall comprehension.

Accountability and Motivation

While online learning offers flexibility, some learners benefit from structure and accountability of completed tasks or session attendance. Participants were tasked with creating a study plan that was customized to their needs and abilities first before diving into the exam study content. Additionally, regular meetings—whether in-person or virtual—ensure that learners stay on track and adhere to their self-made study schedules. This maintains motivation and discipline throughout the study process.

ASID took it one step further by using a variation of blended learning called “HyFlex.” With this option, participants not only had live webinar interaction with everyone in the course for each exam section review, but they were also part of a smaller 8–12-person study group led by a facilitator with a background as an educator and a designer, or a designer familiar with the exam content and an advocate for NCIDQ certification. These virtual study group sessions occur outside of the main webinars to create a more finite and personalized learning environment for ideal peer and group facilitator interaction to optimize knowledge retainment and engage in a supportive space.

Since its first cohort offering in June 2023, the exam prep course has been very popular and fills up quickly with each offering. Additionally, it boasts some formidable successes in exam passing rates amongst the cohorts and has been recognized by the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) as a viable model to be shared with professional educators in the online learning community nationwide. Their HyFlex course model will be highlighted as one of its discovery sessions at the OLC Accelerate conference being held in Orlando, FL, in mid-November.

Like interior design, the instructional design of educational content matters in providing the most effective learning experience and outcomes. The blended learning model offers a balanced approach by offering the flexibility of online learning, engagement with peers and facilitators for real time feedback, and a mix of instructional methods, by which learners are more likely to succeed in their preparation for the NCIDQ certification exam.

Learn more about the course and register on the ASID website.