Section 5
Chapters in Section V identify trends and issues in IDT in various contexts: business & industry; military; health care education; P-12 education; and post-secondary education. Select at least 3 of these 5 contexts and compare/contrast the IDT trends and issues. Then explain how they are similar or different from the IDT trends and issues in the context in which you work.While health care industry was not one I was going to initially pick for trends and issues, I find myself still needing to comment. The trends for this area are Web 2.0 social tools, online searching free to everyone, up-to-date info with greater student access, etc. This is NOT specific to health care only. In all of the five areas, these are trends or issues depending on which weight you give them.
In business & industry, there are some trends worth noting. Social media continues to be an area that is explored and either embraced or continued to be researched. It is hard for some places to fully embrace social media: what is the purpose? how do we get employees to use it? how do we make it a safe, yet honest, forum? who participates? what about negative posts that may reflect negatively on our company? are all questions that companies ask. Another trend is conducting research. The issue is whether this is a benefit or a barrier. As mentioned in the text, a company will probably only have one instructional designer. Larger scale projects are not possible unless time is built in to hire/interview/vet contractors. Budget cuts continually affect what can be accomplished.
In P-12, the Common Core State Standards make it very clear that we are dedicating more time to core subjects. The tests students' have to take all reflect the core subjects of English, math, history, and science. As we move more into technology and interactive learning, we decrease textbooks (some schools refuse to buy them due to budget issues), increase psycho motor activities, and slowly incorporate technology into learning.
In the military, trends involve technology. Unfortunately, due to funding, they sometimes have to go with low tech training for high tech items.
When comparing all of them, I feel that they have very similar issues. First, funding is always one that is across the board for all. There is not enough funds for training or for increased integration of bigger and better technology. All areas require training and skills in order to implement the trends in their industry. This is frequently lacking.
In my industry (business & industry), we fall into some of the same issues. We want the trend of Web 2.0 social media tools, but we aren't really sure how to implement it and "control" it. We want larger scale projects, but we only have one instructional designer (me) who also oversees all trainings and eLearnings. It's great that we all have up-to-date information for research. Overall, it seems like funding and budget cuts are a consistent trend in all areas, including my own job.
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading your post this week. If I’m reading your blog correctly, it seems like you made the observation that a number of the trends are identifiable in all of the five areas of focus for IDT. I thought the same thing to myself as I was reading. I especially zeroed in on the Web 2.0 integration and access to learning and training. I think the fact that these trends pop up in all of the focus areas is a true indication that we do indeed live in a digital world that requires us to address these things when engaging in instructional design ourselves.
I liked how you pointed out the issue of funding being relevant for all of the areas we read about. This is something I noted as well. As a teacher in a Middle School, there is so much I would love to do that involves technology, but I am often hindered in my efforts due to budgetary issues. It is not hard for me to see this as being easily the most pervasive problem for all of the areas of learning mentioned.
I really enjoyed reading your post!
-Lauren C.
Your post was a joy for me to read this week Ms. Jennifer. The health care field is finding that the training, time, and improved knowledge factors play very important roles in the well-being of their patients lives as well as their job longevity. Having the medical education will allow everyone in the field of medicine to stay informed in order to manage diseases, collaborate and share research data, as well as being up on standards and regulations.
ReplyDeleteBusiness and industry bosses are wanting instructional designers who can find problems, fix them quickly, train employees to keep the problem at bay, and all the while make the corporation money. That's why funding is such an issue.
No matter if you are in business, medical field, military or even education funding, time, cross-cultural barriers, standards and regulations, and the economy will have an impact on these organizations. Some more than others. Therefore as instructional designers we must know our clients and know what we are doing. An ID in the military who provides insufficient training can put the lives of the country in jeopardy. The same goes for any of these fields...our focus must be improving the lives of students, soldiers, and employees in a time saving manner. Well done Jennifer...!
Jennifer Lamb,
ReplyDeleteI agree that funding and budget cuts are trends in all areas. The schools have been hit hard lately with budget cuts and figuring out how to best support the teachers and students is always the main issue. I like how you mentioned the use of social media in business and industry. I have worked in P-12 education as a teacher and social media is also a growing trend in the world of education. Many of the same concerns are raised: how and who uses it and how can we keep information private?
Sara Dalton