Section 1 Post

Instructional Design and Technology:  In the field of software training Instructional Design and Technology can be defined as the identification of company training needs and the design, implementation and evaluation of training classes or modules.  When designing training, attention must be paid to current learning and content delivery theories and research coupled with available instructional media.

My model of instructional design only leaves out the Develop Assessment Instruments because in my work environment employees are not tested on what they learn.

My model adheres to the characteristics of instructional design by:

1. All the training in my department is centered around employee success in the workplace. Analysis is always directed towards how to best instruct the employees.
2. The goal of a particular class is always the first consideration when designing new training classes. We analyze what the employee needs to learn to be successful at a particular task or group of tasks and then work on how to achieve that goal.
3. After being shown how to work with a particular software employees are always provided with tasks to perform to reinforce how to apply what they have learned.
4. Our outcomes are measured with surveys conducted after training. We also work with analysts and supervisors to ensure they feel the employees are learning and retaining knowledge.
5. Since we work with different groups in the district we are always receiving feedback on our classes and have regular team meetings to determine how to improve our training classes.
6. We work in a team environment. We have the training team but regularly meet with other teams in the district for direction and feedback.

Technology has been a mainstay in the classroom for many years. It started with film and overhead projectors. These days almost every instructor knows how to use PowerPoint to deliver a more interesting lecture. Computers are often employed for research and preparing papers. A math classroom would not be effective without the use of complicated graphing calculators.

The future will see more of a move to learner centered technology. The lecturer as the center of the classroom will fade and the instructor will become more a guide and mentor. Technology will be a key component of this transition. In K-12 students will blog their journals, prepare interactive reports and take an active role in the acquisition of knowledge. Textbooks have already become virtual in some settings, but the swing that way will continue.

College makes a broad use of technology. Many classes such as this one are conducted all online giving the students the freedom to learn from their home. Online course delivery systems will continue to become more gadget friendly. Student will be able to access courses from their smart phones and tablet computers. The use of video conferencing, blogs and wikis will continue to grow in the college setting. Online instructors now can use video conferencing to maintain office hours and in the future will become more and more common.

 Continuing education is also taking full advantage of the online courseware environment.  Adult learners can easily work on a team project using video conferencing, chat rooms and wikis. Employees can attend company mandated training from their desks. As in the college setting, smart phones will play a big role in the future of adult education.