Educators and course designers may face great hurdles when designing courses if they include an online setting. Instructional design (ID) has played a vital role as a change agent in facilitating the pedagogical and technological transformation of educators and students. However, some instructors still find ID challenging and there are information gaps regarding instructional design models, categories, educational context, and recommendations for future work. This systematic literature review (SLR) analyzed 31 publications using PRISMA to address this gap. The results of this review suggest combining ID models with broader theoretical frameworks. Investigations and research on ID should include a bigger number of ID types. It is highly recommended that extra frameworks be added to the ID procedure. To explore and grasp all parties engaged in ID, including the role of the instructor, the ID designer, and the student, it is important for additional educational contexts to be amalgamated. For novices in the field, such as graduate students, it is crucial to pay close attention to the several phases and techniques of ID. This review sheds light on the trends, future agenda, and research requirements associated with ID in educational settings. It might serve as a basis for future research on ID in educational contexts.

Moore established transactional distance theory (TDT) to grasp transactional distance in the context of distance learning. Research using TDT in distance, open, and online learning environments has been undertaken. However, there are information gaps about what constitutes progress, future directions, and research deficits pertaining to TDT in the context of distance education. This systematic literature review (SLR) used PRISMA to analyze 42 papers to close the knowledge gap. Currently, TDT research in distance learning integrates various theories and models; nevertheless, there is a movement toward acceptance models and how to incorporate more relevant theories within the framework of distance learning. Future studies should integrate other aspects such as student motivation, student acceptance of technology, and student preparedness and desire to utilize technology in learning environments. As most research samples students, a research gap involving instructors and heterogeneous groups is proposed. It is projected that quantitative research will predominate in the future, leaving qualitative and mixed approaches as areas of investigation. This review illuminates the developments, future agenda, and research needs pertaining to TDT in the context of distance learning. It might serve as a foundation for future study on TDT in the context of distance, open, and online education.

HRMARS is well established journal publisher based in Pakistan. It is publishing prominent journals in social sciences since 2011.