Unit 7: New Directions for Instructional Design and Technology

Distributed Learning:

·         Video and audio conferencing

·         Learning Management Systems

·         Hybrid courses

·         Virtual communities of practice

·         E-textbooks

I had a class that used video lectures from a different instructor. The tests were based on the book and contained none of the content from the lectures. The course could be redesigned to include relevant assignments and test questions from the lectures.

Rich Media Example

Click on the picture to load the video in a separate window.

I created this video at work using Captivate. On the surface it is a hybrid of screen shots with some movement. Functionally it is representational.

Nanotechnology could be used by engineers by having glasses that will bring up schematics or technical specifications on demand that are viewable on the surface of their glasses.

I tend towards the broad and inclusive road when it comes to the future of Instructional Design. Coming from an artistic background, I am open to new ideas and new ways of doing things and see those qualities in the broad inclusive road. As the chapter states, we are all teachers and learners at the same time. While science and research can certainly point us in concrete proven directions,  our intuitions and experiences can also help us develop new ways of designing instruction. When we meld the two, we can make the ID process more fluid and creative.

 

Unit 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

Instructional Design Job Listings from Monster.com
Job Title	Job Description
Instructional Designer Collabera Richardson, TX	This position involves converting face to face course materials to an eLearning platform. Required skills: Web-based training design & development Graphic Design Instructional Design Writing skills Paint Shop Pro/Photoshop Flash Captivate Lectora InfoMapping/DocuTools
Instructional Designer TEKsystems Dallas, TX Salary: $45k	This position works in a team environment to develop online courses for secondary learners. Required skills: ·         Instructional design or curriculum development ·         Multimedia storyboarding ·         E-Learning ·         Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Word
Instructional Developer Archipelago Learning Dallas, TX	This position designs and develops online courseware for secondary learners as the lead of a team. Required skills: ·         B.A. in Instructional Design, education, communication or a related field(master’s degree preferred) ·         2+ years experience developing education or training solutions. ·         Multimedia storyboarding ·         MS Office ·         Proficiency with online education and e-learning ·         Strong problem solving skills ·         Strong communication skills ·         Personal portfolio

I took several of the self-assessments and found I have gaps in my skills which the degree I’m working on should help fill. I did find that the job of Instructional Designer is a growth field in Texas and the pay is comparable to what I current make as a software trainer.

 

Professional Organizations
American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)
Mission	Through exceptional learning and performance, we create a world that works better.
Cost of Membership	Membership Rates: ·         12 month individual: $199 ·         24 month individual: $349 ·         Student 12 month: $59 ·         Senior 12 month: $90 ·         International: $169
Publications	·         T+D Magazine ·         T+D Webcasts ·         The Buzz – email summary of latest training news from esteemed periodicals, journals and magazines ·         ASTD Links – email highlights ASTD’s latest research, public policy initiatives, chapter and member news.
Professional Development	ASTD offers certificate program in areas such as eLearning theories, eLearning software and HR.
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
Mission	The mission of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology is to provide international leadership by promoting scholarship and best practices in the creation, use, and management of technologies for effective teaching and learning in a wide range of settings
Cost of Membership	Membership Rates: ·         Corporate: $400 ·         Regular: $125 ·         Regular with ETR&D: $170 ·         Regular international: $125 ·         Regular international with ETR&D: $170 ·         Retired: $60 ·         Student: $75
Publications	·         Educational Technology Research and Development – bi-monthly publication ·         Books: o   TechTrends o   Instructional Science o   Learning and Instructional Technologies for the 21st Century o   Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning o   Educational Technology: A Definition with Commentary o   Distance Education: Definition and Glossary of Terms o   Emerging Perspectives on Learning, Teaching and Technology o   Quarterly Review of Distance Education
Professional Development	They offer a yearly conference.
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Mission	Advancing Information Technology in Education and E-Learning research, development, learning, and its practical application.
Cost of Membership	Membership Rates: ·         Professional: $115 ·         Student: $35 ·         Professional + Library: $175 ·         Student + Library: $35
Publications	Journals: ·         International Journal of E-Learning Coprorate, Government, Healthcare & Higher Education ·         Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching ·         Journal of Interactive Learning Research ·         Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia ·         Journal of Technology and Teacher Education ·         Electronic: o   AACE Journal o   Contemporary Issues in Technology & Teacher Education
Professional Development	The AACE holds several conferences a year.

Professional Publications
American Educational Research Journal
Focus/Goals of the journal	The AERJ is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.
Submission guidelines	·         APA Style ·         Must address important issues for educational research ·         Must adhere to the AERA’s standards for reporting on research in AERA publications
Peer Reviewed?	This journal is peer-reviewed
Online?	The journal offers an e-version
American Journal of Distance Education (AERJ)
Focus/Goals of the journal	Research and scholarship in American distance education
Submission guidelines	Articles should be about methods, administration and techniques of distance teaching and based on research.
Peer Reviewed?	This journal is peer-reviewed.
Online?	This journal offers an e-version.

These organizations and journals will help me stay up to date on current learning theory and applications. I was aware of some of the organizations and journals, but was pleased to find specific resources. 

Performance Technologist
Domains
Standard 1: Design	The Performance Technologist helps decide the most effective types of instruction, strategies and technology for the targeted learners.
Standard 3: Utilization	The Performance Technologist offers the best way to deliver the design of instruction.
Standard 5: Evaluation	The Performance Technologist suggests the most effective ways to evaluate the instruction.
Competencies
Focus on results and help clients focus on results		The Performance Technologist needs to be the expert to help their client achieve their goal.
Looks at situations systemically, taking into consideration the larger context including competing pressures.		The Performance Technologist needs to be able to see the big picture to aid the customer’s efforts for training.
Use partnerships or collaborate with clients and other experts as required.		The PT needs to be able to work with a team of other IT professionals to achieve the customer’s goals.
Be systematic in all aspects of the process including the assessment of the need, opportunity, design, solution, implementation and evaluation.		The PT is hired to be the expert and needs to demonstrate their ability to achieve the customer’s needs.

Performance Statements
Apply current research and theory to practice	The PT needs to be the expert in their field.
Update and improve one’s skills and knowledge in instructional design and related fields.	The PT needs to be the expert in their field.
Apply basic research skills to design projects	The PT needs to be the expert in their field.
Conduct a needs assessment	The PT needs to understand what the needs of the project are.
Identify and describe the target population characteristics. Analyze the characteristics of the environment.	The PT needs to understand what the needs of the project are.
Reflect on and study the elements of a situation before finalizing design solutions and strategies.	The PT needs to understand what the needs of the project are.
Select, modify, or create a design and development model appropriate for a given project.	The PT needs to develop the project.
Evaluate and assess instruction and its impact.	The PT needs to insure the project is meeting its goals.
Promote collaboration and partnership among the key participants in a design project.	The PT needs to insure the project is meeting its goals.



Unit 5: Trends and Issues in Various Settings

Rapid Prototyping  could easily be used in an educational setting. If a team were to develop an online class on Biology they could make mock-ups of lessons that explain a certain biological process. The mock-ups could be agreed upon in team meetings. The ID people could develop the scripts and evaluations and the graphic artists/web developers would have a working model to start with. This would help with revision time because everyone would work towards an agreed upon outcome.

Using the Full Spectrum diagram I would offer the military the following advice:

·         Develop specific training geared towards rank, job category and skill for classroom delivery using computers.

·         Take the same training and place the materials on portable media such as CD-ROMS so when personnel needs to be trained on a base without a central WAN, they can still receive the same level of training as they would on a base designed for training.

·         Make a few hard copies of the relevant materials to be used in the field if they need to quickly train someone and do not have enough computers to use. They should still have access to the CD-ROMS for training.

To introduce the GSTE and Step-Up-To-Excellence methodologies to my colleagues I would design the following activity:

·         Tell the story of the Chaguach School District in Alaska with relevant pictures so the audience could get a feel for the environment.

·         Describe the two models with graphics.

·         Have them get in groups to discuss changes that could be made to our school system.

·         Have them share up to three of the issues and write them on a board.

·         Have each group pick an issue and demonstrate how one of these methodologies could be applied and have them share it with the rest of the groups.

Faculty Development Opportunities by University
School	TWU	UNT	UTA
What are the different names used for faculty development?	Professional Development Opportunities	Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment and redesign	Blackboard Faculty Resources and OIT training and Documentation Services team.
What division is it under?	Instructional Support Services	Under the direction of a steering committee consisting of professors, deans and administrators.	Center for Distance Education and IT.
What services does it offer?	Training on: Blackboard Teaching & Learning Office Productivity Technology Spotlight	They offer training in Blackboard, Videoconference training, how to create quality online educational materials, and short brown bag sessions.	Face to face training, manuals, and tutorials.
How often are programs given and what specifically are they?	They offer monthly classes on Blackboard What’s New, Gradebook, Assessments and Assignments. They offer training on Outlook, folders and surveys periodically. They also periodically offer training on teaching and learning topics and other specialty technology products.	They offer several trainings a month on such topics as Blackboard, Wimba, clicker training and wikis.	Blackboard offesr two Blackboard trainings a few times a month. OIT offers several topics including Office, Web Design, other software products and Faculty IT services. They typically offer weekly classes.