Section 7: New Directions for Instructional Design and Technology

Examples of Distributed Learning

In chapter 28 there are many examples of distributed learning. The five that stood out at me the most were, virtual and hybrid classes, corporate distributed learning, free distributed learning, and for-profit distributed learning.

Online degree programs use the idea of virtual classes and hybrid classes. Students can register completely online and have a full set of student support services available to them. Some of the support services found online includes the library, bookstore, advising offices, and financial aide. Hybrid classes rely on the online resources, however they have limited face to face meetings as well.

Corporate distributed learning is great for professional training purposes. It is better on the budget of companies to use this type of training because of the money they save on out-of-town expenses. Employees are also able to get the training on their own time; there is no need for “scheduling” a training session. 

Some ideas of free distributed learning can include the use of weblogs and videoconferences. In many of my graduate classes, these types of learning occur. The weblogs help keep communication open between both peers and the professor. Videoconferences are used more for necessary meetings or teachings of important new information. On the other hand, there is also “For-profit distributed learning”. Some ideas may include the use of books, DVDs, and websites.

Reusability

One course I remember taking that had poor reusability characteristics was a multicultural development class. Within the time of this course I did not create or learn anything that could be reused. We mainly learned facts about multicultural events and what took place in history.

If I was to redesign the course, I would make sure to add some reusable aspects. When adding the reusable aspects, the underlying content would not be changed. I would have required my students to create a small portfolio including activities that explain different multicultural events that occurred within history. For example, if the student was reading a chapter in the text about Rosa Parks and the bus boycott, I would allow them to create an activity for their own future classrooms. These activities would be a way the teacher would introduce a specific multicultural event that occurred in history. The activities may include flash cards, board games, crossword puzzles, etc.  

Rich Media

This video is called “The Compound Boogie”. This is a great visual that can be used for the instruction of compound words. I actually used it in my Kindergarten classroom and the students absolutely LOVED it!!

Surface Features: Animations/Video-The video uses both pictures and words to explain what a compound word is and how it is formed.

Functional Features: A functional feature is how well the visual conveys the message that was intended. This video does a great job of explaining the “message” of compound words. The first page will show two separate pictures with two separate words, the next page then shows how the two are joined together to create a new word and picture. 

Future Instructional Technologies

When thinking of nanotechnology and my daily tasks as a teacher, there are many new thoughts that begin to form. One word could describe it all… EXCITING!! Technology has come so far and helps us in our daily routines, just imagine something better. In the future, I see nanotechnology being used to help give students a more hands-on approach to learning. Today we use large projectors that are mounted to the ceiling; in the future these projectors could become as small as a sheet of paper. This would allow students to each have access to the “projected” image; giving students a more personal approach to their own learning experience. Presently in my Kindergarten classroom, we are completing a unit on plants. This type of technology would give students a very fun and interactive way to learn about plants, their needs, and their parts. 

Point of View 

The textbook describes two points of view on the field of instructional design. The point of view I agree with most is the broad and inclusive road. The field of instructional design is very wide and complex. Because of this, there are an array of tools and resources needed to complete tasks within the field. Professionals will not need the same resources each time, the field is always changing and there is a need for accommodations towards diverse problems and solutions. With a sufficient level of freedom, especially in education, there are many goals that can be met. Therefore I definitely see the need for the field to be both “broad” and “inclusive”.

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

Job Openings 

Job 1: Instructional Designer

Company: Gallup

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Experience Required: 2 years of experience assessing, designing, developing, and implementing learning solutions.

Skills Required:

Instructional Designers at Gallup are experts in assessing, designing, developing and implementing learning solutions for clients. They work to understand where a training idea or program might be a possible solution by creating learning curriculum strategies, content, and maps.

Instructional Designers are ultimately responsible for:
• creating customized curriculum that align with methodologies
• understand how learning and technology relate to develop effective e-Learning solutions
• partnering with client teams to deliver results

*I do not yet have two years experience with instructional design, however I do believe I am on my way to gaining this experience. The more opportunities I receive within my district, the more knowledge I will gain with instructional design and how to implement specific solutions.

Job 2: Educational Technologist

Company: University of Missouri - St. Louis

Location: St. Louis, Missouri  

Experience Required: At least 2 years experience in developing computer-based training materials.

Skills Required:

-Meet with clients to understand product needs and specifications

-Serve on design teams and provide support

-Assess the effectiveness of products

-Proficient with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

*I do not yet have two years experience with client meetings and the development of computer-based training materials. However, I do have many years experience with both Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. I would also need more experience with determining how to make technological products more effective.  

Job 3: Instructional Designer  

Company: Stevenson University

Location: Stevenson, Maryland  

Experience Required: Master's degree in education, curriculum design, instructional technology, instructional design or educational technology. You must also have two years related post-secondary experience in instructional design, educational technology, distance education or a directly related field in an academic setting or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Skills Required:
•    Knowledge of adult learning theories, assessment, and evaluation in course design and development
•    Knowledge of and work-related experience in distance learning
•    Demonstrated experience in course development and training
•    Possess an understanding of new media technology (online course management tools, web 2.0 applications, and multi-media tools).
•    Ability to plan, manage, produce, direct, implement and evaluate on-line course production
•    Ability to work with instructors from a wide range of academic cultures and disciplines
•    Ability to establish goals, meet deadlines, organize work flow and projects

*I do not yet have two years experience with instructional design and I have not yet received my master’s degree, however I do believe I already have some of the required skills available. Some of the skills include establishing goals, meeting deadlines, organizing work flow, and I have a high understanding of new media technologies.                                                             

Self Assessment 

ASTD Career Navigator Self Assessment
*Entry to Mid Level Executive*

After completing my self-assessment, I did not realize the amount of interpersonal skills I have. This helped reassure me that I will one day make a good leader with continued progress. I now know the necessity of building trust with others, building commitment to solutions, and partnering with external contacts to achieve desired results. An area of needed growth fell under “Managing the Learning Function”. I now know I need to improve on creating visions for improvement, converting learning strategies into action plans, and learn how to develop and monitor budgets.    

http://www.astd.org/content/careers/

Professional Organizations and Publications

1^st Professional organization: AACE (Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education)  

Mission: Founded in 1981, this is an international, not-for-profit, educational organization with the mission of advancing Information Technology in Education and E-Learning research, development, learning, and its practical application.

Cost of membership: Professional Membership $115 per year

Publications:

 International Journal on E-Learning (IJEL)

 Jrl. of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia (JEMH)

 Jrl. of Computers in Math and Science Teaching (JCMST)

 Jrl. of Interactive Learning Research (JILR) Jrl. of Technology and Teacher Education (JTATE)

Conferences and meetings:

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education

-March 7-11: Nashville, Tennessee

Global Learn/Asia Pacific 2011

            -March 28 - April1: Melbourne, Australia 

Opportunities for professional development:

Access to EdITLib-Education & Information Technology Digital Library, which is a valuable online resource that is fully searchable and covers 15+ years of academic journals and international conference proceedings.

2^nd Professional organization: ITEEA (International Technology and Engineering Educators Association)

Mission: Members are classroom teachers from elementary to high school, local and state/provincial supervisors, college/university faculty, and museum staff. Their common ground is an interest and involvement in technology and engineering education. Founded in 1939, ITEEA brings together technology and engineering education professionals to share ideas, gain professional development, and improve public understanding of STEM literacy.

Cost of membership: Professional Membership $80 per year

Publications:

Children’s Technology and Engineering

Journal of Technology Education

Conferences and meetings:

PREPARING THE STEM WORKFORCE: THE NEXT GENERATION
ITEEA's 73rd Annual Conference
Minneapolis, MN
March 24- 26, 2011

Opportunities for professional development

Program Excellence General Session

Thursday, March 24, 2011

FTE Spirit of Excellence Breakfast

Friday, March 25, 2011

Teacher Excellence General Session

Friday, March 25, 2011



1^st Professional publication: The American Journal of Distance Education http://ajde.com/ 

Focus/Goals of the journal: AJDE is the internationally recognized journal of research and scholarship in the field of American distance education established with the mission of disseminating information about research and scholarship in the Americas.

Submission guidelines: AJDE encourages the submission of articles about methods and techniques of teaching at a distance, about learning, and about management and administration but also encourages authors to write about policies, theories, and values that drive distance education. They would like for articles to be based on research, although all methods and approaches to research are welcome. Authors are advised to ensure that their work is appropriately grounded in a review of existing literature.

Is this a peer reviewed journal? yes

Is the journal online? It can be ordered online

Usefulness: This would be a great tool for me as an educator when developing and/or delivering training as well as for presenting educational programs. I was not aware of this publication until after I read the textbook.

2^nd Professional publication: International Journal on E-Learning (IJEL) - Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education http://aace.org/pubs/ijel/default.htm

Focus/Goals of the journal: Because of the advances in technology and the growth of e-learning, this journal can provide educators and trainers with unique opportunities to enhance learning and teaching in corporate, government, healthcare, and higher education. IJEL serves as a forum to facilitate the international exchange of information on the current research, development, and practice of e-learning in these sectors.

Submission guidelines:

Three major categories of articles to submit:

·         Current Issues include more theoretical discussions of technology and teacher preparation.

·         Current practice provides shorter, up-to-the-minute snapshots of technology in practice.

·         Seminal articles include previously published "classic" articles that have advanced the discussion of technology and teacher education.

Is this a peer reviewed journal? yes

Is the journal online? yes

Usefulness: This journal can be used to help educators and trainers with the concept of e-learning. With the big push on technology integration within our schools, I believe this publication would be a great tool.   

Compentencies 

Position: Performance Technologist

Domains/Competencies:

-Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resources within an organization

-Help facilitate positive outcomes for various organizations

-Demonstrate performance results that help with obstacles

-Use partnerships and collaborate with clients

-Help clients focus on the results

-Must communicate effectively in visual, oral, and written form

-Evaluate instruction and training

-Engage in professional activities

Performance Requirements/Statements:

-Must support organizational goals

-Provide data to help with decision making and interventions

-Maintain the needed privacy and confidentiality

-Have a high commitment of time and effort toward all goals



*The reason I chose these particular domains, competencies, and performance statements was because of how it helps with identifying the job of a performance technologist. It explains the knowledge needed to complete the tasks effectively. They also explain the skills required of a performance technologist and the needed ability for this important role.