Learning and Technology: December 2011

The last section of your textbook discusses the concepts of distributed learning, reusability, rich media and the future of instructional design. Focus on the following for your post:

From Chapter 28 locate 5 examples of distributed learning. You may pick and choose from the following list.

Academic distributed learning--Five examples of academic distributed learning would be 1) ecollege that is used in this class in lieu of the traditional classroom structured class; 2) the seminar sessions that I have attended at the Mesquite campus for my history class on Saturdays; 3) the content-related DVDs/videos that I have used myself in my classes to teach students; 4) the text books I use in my classes; 5) the weblogs used in this class (I have learned so much from them!).

Chapter 29 discusses the concept of reusability. Think back over the courses you've had over your educational career and identify one with poor reusability characteristics. Explain how the course could be redesigned to improve reusability without changing the underlying content.

The only course I can think of having poor reusability characteristics would be the anthropology class I took for my undergraduate degree, mainly because I don't use anthropology in any way (at least not the material covered in the class) in my job, in my life, nor is it in the books I read. I didn't exactly enjoy the class, so one way I would redesign it would be to apply the concepts of anthropology (climate, culture, way of life) to contemporary studies or examples in tv shows, movies, etc. Seeing contemporary or new examples would make anthropology more reusable than learning about the use of peyote by Native American tribes of the southwest United States.

Chapter 30 takes a look at using rich media. Find or create a visual for instruction describing its surface and functional features.

This is a short video that I use when I introduce my unit on fiscal policy and government spending. The animation, music, and sound used in the video really grabs the attention of students, which is helpful when introducing a new concept.

Chapter 31 discusses the future of instructional technologies in the near future from metadata to nanotechnology. Describe how nanotechnology could be used to improve a specific job or task you are familiar with.

With a computer implant such as Kevin Warwick had, a teacher would no longer be tied to an overhead projector or a computer, leaving him/her available to work one on one with students.

And finally! Chapter 32 provides two points of view on the direction of the field - the straight and narrow road and the broad and inclusive road. Which point of view do you agree with and why?

I would tend to agree more with the broad and inclusive road, because I feel the broader the perspective, with more points of view, the richer the result.

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It Due 12/09/2011

Section 6 of your textbook focuses on how to get a job in the profession of instructional design. These rules can also apply to educational technology as well since the two are so intertwined.

Chapter 24 takes a look at lessons learned from the chapter's author for obtaining a position in instructional design. Take a look at a few of the sources provided for job openings from lesson 1 and search for at least 3 positions that are of interest to you. Describe the general nature of the positions and list the skills required for the job. Do you have these skills?

Senior Workforce Performance Consultant
     This is a position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "While a Sr. Workforce Performance Consultant doesn't necessarily respond to all issues uncovered in the gap analysis they conduct, they are accountable for identifying improvement recommendations that encompass the many variables in the performance support model (including designing instructional programs) and implementing solutions pertaining to the delivery of education and knowledge." Basically, the person in this position is responsible for finding gaps in instruction and closing them.
Required Skills: critical thinking skills, team building, mentoring skills, leadership skills, experience in instructional design; Bachelor's degree +3 years experience.

Personally, I have all of the required skills, except for experience in instructional design. This position does sound interesting, because one of the things I do already in my teaching position is look for gaps in learning TEKS objectives.

Curriculum Designer

     This is a position at Meijer Stores. This position is for someone to design curriculum across various areas (office, retail, distribution) through many means of instruction (web-based, classroom, mobile, etc.)
Required Skills: knowledge of ADDIE process, ILT, elearning, knowledge in adult learning principles; Master's degree preferred.

Personally, I have some basic knowledge of elements in this area, like the ADDIE process, but the position does look interesting. I worked in retail a number of years in college, and I enjoyed it very much.

Performance Consultant

      This is a corporate position at DirecTV. This position works with the Learning & Development, Quality Assurance & Analytics, Communications, and Online Learning teams to identify and make recommendations to enhance performance opportunities and improve training effectiveness. A Performance Consultant works with Training Managers, Corporate and/or Care Project Managers, Program Managers, and business owners.
Required Skills: accreditation in instructional design, experience in a call center, Bachelor's required, Master's degree and MS Project Software experience a plus.

Personally, I don't have any of these skills, but the description sounded challenging and interesting.

Remember that the field of instructional/educational technology is not just focused on education, but on business and industry as well. Look at the resources provided on page 258 in chapter 25 and select one of these links and complete the self assessment. What did you learn about yourself from the assessment?

From the self-assessment, I learned that my strengths/interests lie in education and public service areas. Considering I am a teacher, I guess I am in a career field that is suitable to my strengths.

Chapter 26 lists several websites for professional organizations and websites for professional publications. Visit 2-3 websites for professional organizations and 2-3 websites for the professional publications and address the following:
- ~
- Journals and organizations help to keep educators apprised of any laws or policy changes made throughout the year.

Chapter 27 looks at competencies for instructional design and technology professionals. If you were responsible for identifying the domains, competencies, and performance statements for a performance technologist, what would they include and why?

Domains: 1. Design, 2. Development, 3. Utilization, 4. Management, and 5. Evaluation.

I would use these domains (also found in Table 27.7), because I think these competencies fit the requirements for a performance technologist.

Competencies: From pg. Table 27.6, I would use all 10 of the 2004 ISPI/ASTD competencies, because I think these are all extremely important areas for PTs to concentrate on, though I think number 3 (Add value in how you do the work and through the work itself) should be the first competency in every job profession.

Learning and Technology

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Section 7: New Directions for Instructional Design and Technology

The last section of your textbook discusses the concepts of distributed learning, reusability, rich media and the future of instructional design. Focus on the following for your post:

Friday, December 9, 2011

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It Due 12/09/2011