Capstone Video

I know that we make a video and turn it in for this course, but I also wanted the information included in my blog. 

What was the most challenging thing you learned this semester?

I had a difficult time with Section 4. The reading and connecting it all together in a blog post left me pretty confused. I do not feel like my application of the knowledge was accurate, and my blog commenters didn’t either. When I read other blogs, I didn’t feel they connected things any better.

As far as the course itself, it was difficult in the beginning to begin blogging versus the discussion threads I do for Global eLearning. I really like the blogs and have recommended them to Dr. Lumadue. This was a small learning curve, finding the course outside of LEARN, and balancing three courses in seven weeks versus the regular two were all very challenging this session.

What was the most interesting thing you learned this semester?

The blogs were the most interesting item of this course. Being able to read and comment on other blogs provoked some “conversation” at times and allowed me to get to know some of my classmates in this program. I liked reading their thoughts, goals, and applications of the information.

I forgot to put in my evaluation: I wish this class was titled Instructional Design and Technology. That would be much more specific and really look good on transcripts (such as mine since this is my field). The book was outstanding.

What was the most useful thing you learned this semester?

While I enjoyed many topics in this course, the beginning readings were most useful to me. It helped me solidify instructional design and be able to explain it to others.

List and explain three examples of how you have either already implemented or plan to implement things you have learned this semester.

I have already had to explain instructional design to someone who was unfamiliar with the field. My explanation was much more succinct after our readings and blogs.

I was able to explain Addie and Sam better through one of my blogs. While I got a little redundant in it, it was a process that was helping me in my career to help explain it to my team and a new intern I have coming on board. It's hard to transfer to a new development model, and this course helped me prepare for how to present that to others.

Last, eLearning and learning objects will be something that I'll be implementing in the near future. The chapters on this made me think of more issues that I will be facing and more questions to ask/investigate as I finish the analysis of our existing and future eLearnings.

Section 7: New Direction in Instructional Design and Technology

This section of the textbook addresses new directions and emerging technologies for IDT. For your final post, reflect on how you might apply each of the following in your current or future position in the IDT field:

Distributed or eLearning environments

eLearning is a large portion of my job and my previous job. Prior to coming to work for the Dept of Mental Health, I was a K-12 online curriculum developer and teacher. This environment was originally all asynchronous, but evolved into a blended learning environment for most of the districts. While I do not feel that eLearning will replace traditional classrooms, I do feel it is a wonderful alternative for 21^st century students. As far as my current job, eLearning is going to be one of the main things I do. Now that I have the face-to-face training program up and running, my focus has been on a needs analysis of the eLearning options we current have and what we will need. This learning environment means that we can easily (I use that term loosely because nothing is easy about eLearning) reach all facilities around the state as well as some external client needs.

Reusable design or learning objects

This is currently what we are doing in my job. First, we are evaluating every eLearning and training that has been previously developed. We are updating what we can and turning other things, such as trainings that we don’t want to present face-to-face anymore, into eLearnings in order to continue to use the information that we was already developed and provide the information to a larger audience. Our eLearnings are stand alone learning objects, non-sequential, self-contained, and do not link to other objects. Not only does this ease the development time for us, it is also more cost-effective and reduces our maintenance costs.

Rich media

I feel that rich media is essential in any training or eLearning. I used it heavily in my classroom when I taught middle/high school students, and I encourage the use of it in our current trainings. We use different videos to illustrate points and appeal to different learning styles. I can use rich media for developing my eLearnings in the form of interactions, audio, games, interactives, etc.

Emerging instructional technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, Web 2.0, virtual worlds, electronic games, etc.

It’s funny that this is part of this week’s chapter. I was just asked to participate in a workgroup for developing a mobile app. Web 2.0 allows collaboration and interaction and can include social networking sites, blogs, wikis, and many other items. While I don’t use it much in my own training and eLearning field, we tried to incorporate it in my past job as a curriculum developer in an asynchronous environment. We would use Google Docs and Hangout for collaboration, developed a mobile app, used social media to encourage communications, teacher’s had blogs, and they were evaluating how wikis could be used effectively. We even used grading companies that would plug in many samples, use rubrics, and the computer would grade the paper. It was almost scary how accurate it was.

I find virtual worlds fascinating and can see how I might be able to use them in my current position in the eLearnings for a few topics. I think they’d take a tremendous amount of time to develop and would be costly, so this is probably not something I’d ever attempt (but never say never). I feel that all of these items will be in our future, and they will be needed to keep the younger generations engaged and connected. 

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

This section of your textbook focuses on jobs in the profession of instruction design and technology: lessons and tips on how to get one and organization that can support the job search and continued learning in the IDT field. Many of you already have a job in the field or in a related filed; however, based on this week’s readings, you’ll reflect on where you are where you want to go, and what you need to learn or do to get there.

Begin your post for this week with some background: what is your current job, what program are you enrolled in, what brings you to that program, and what do you expect when you graduate (change jobs? obtain a promotion?)

I am currently working as an Instructional Design and Training Manager for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. I have had this position for eight months. I came from a private K-12 online learning company where I taught, developed curriculum and managed projects for five years. I am currently in the Global eLearning program with TAMUC. Due to a couple of the elective courses not pertaining to my current needs, I investigated the Educational Technology area for electives. This course was exactly what I was looking for to advance my knowledge. Even though I already have a M.Ed., I wanted to expand my education and skills by completing a master’s that pertained to what I want my future to hold: instructional design, technology, eLearning, and training. While the job I currently have is exactly what I’ve been working for in my educational path and job experiences, I do not assume that things will forever stay the same. I feel that furthering my education will always keep my skills sharp and keep me marketable.

Next, describe the kind of work you want to do and the type of organization or institution in which you want to work. Use the WorkMatrix in the chapter titled “Getting a Job in the Business and Industry” to help organize your thoughts. Do you most desire first, second, third or fourth level service? Or would you rather design or develop instruction? What features of work are important to you? What economic sector do you want to work in?

I definitely prefer to design and develop instruction. If I had to really place myself on the WorkMatrix, it would be First Level Service (teaching, delivering, training). First level service is what I have been doing since I started my career. However, by choice, I moved my career path into the design and develop instruction path rather than teaching and delivering. This was to expand my skills, but it became a passion of mine to see how I could fit things together and challenge myself to move to higher levels while making things interesting for others to learn.

I’m very happy working for State Government. I did not expect my path to lead me to this particular field, but I enjoy it. The variety in my work (mental health), and the team I work with, make each day interesting and challenging. I learn new information every day and have a tremendous amount of variety in my job. The money is decent and is more than I was making in private sector. Teamwork, collaboration, motivating others, organization, support systems, a good boss, and the ability to do my job are all important to me.

Based on these intentions, explain what you need to learn. What skills and qualifications do you need? Will you obtain the skills you need in the required courses in your program? What electives might you need to take to help you develop skills specific to your aspirations?

eLearning is still where I feel weak in developing. In my online 6-12 job, I developed long “textbook” (for lack of a better comparison) type courses. In my new position, they have eLearnings that are the short and sweet entertaining ones – avatars, movement, flash, etc. I am adjusting and obtaining the skills I need for this by taking eLearning courses through ASTD, taking TAMUC courses, and reading voraciously on the subject. I am learning Adobe products, but these are a steep learning curve for me and require a lot of time and training. Since I’m seeking some electives through Educational Technology, I feel that I will round out my education to meet most of the skills I need in my “new” position. I will seek out more electives dealing with media.

Finally, what organizations would best support your continued learning after you graduate? Do you think you would benefit from joining these organizations before graduating? Explain why or why not?

I have been a member of American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) for the past year. With the new fiscal year that started July 1, I obtained a group membership for my team and one for the local chapter. This organization provides a tremendous amount of resources. The local one has monthly luncheon meetings where you can learn something new and network with others in your field. The webinars, articles, conferences, courses, and magazine all serve to advance knowledge related to training and eLearning. My job allows me to take courses through them to advance my work skills and knowledge. I have taken the basic eLearning course and will take the advanced one in December. It is helpful to have an organization that stays current in the research, provides up-to-date materials related to 21^st century learning, and has a plethora of resources. I also belong to many Linked In groups that focus on instructional design, eLearning, and training.