Section 7: New Directions for Instructional Design and Technology

5 examples of distributed learning

1)      Academic distributed learning – this course is a good example of distributed learning. The course is online, has interaction with the instructor and other students, all online, you can still see your instructor and classmates through their blogs, and learning is available 24 hours a day if you so choose. The learning is also limitless in that you are able to be creative in assignments – initiating research and creativity, and are able to learn from classmates in their creativity and postings.
2)      Corporate distributed learning – systems are gaining in number because of the cost effectiveness of having a learning system onsite. Corporation are going to great lengths to assure employees are equipped with the latest technology and offer their employees a current learning atmosphere to try to keep up with business software and cross training for more versatile employees.
3)      Hybrid classes – are preferable to all lecture courses. In certain courses it may not be possible to complete the course online, for example, a course that included presentations. Although you could do much of the course work online, and Skype for face time, or wiki for collaboration, it just may be that a face to face portion of the course would be necessary.
4)      Virtual classes – entire campuses are now based on virtual colleges, such as University of Phoenix. Their attraction is their convenience of an entire degree online and never having to leave home. Their downside thus far is cost, accreditation, and acceptance, although these areas are slowly changing as traditional universities are now moving toward a percentage of courses and degrees offered up through distance (online) education.
5)      Free distributed learning – the internet. This is the largest free distributed learning base in the world. Just type in a word or question, and the information is endless. You can research, read reports, see videos, YouTube, and the list of possible distributed learning is endless. Of course if need scholarly material, you would just go to a scholarly journal, in the library in person, or library online.

Poor reusability for a past course

I have taken numerous online courses and I can’t really think of a course that had poor reusability. If I am understanding the meaning correctly, it just seems that all electronic learning must be aware of the need for to constantly update their course material and assure the material has the proper permissions. I would constantly evaluate and update my online course to assure the course were current and hopefully in demand.

The following website lists electronic books, journals, e-resources, teaching cases, OnDemand, and various other options for education technology. For reusability this could be an important tool for educators as the electronic sources have are ready to use, permissions are granted, and the resources are current. All for a fee of course, but it might be worth it for the benefits.

http://www.igi-global.com/chapter/encyclopedia-distance-learning-second-edition/11992  

Rich Media

This is a great example of rich media. This YouTube is an ad for IPad and is very persuasive (and now I want an IPad). Even though it is only 30 seconds long, it gets your attention. It is packed with visual, music, and an insight for learning potential.

Instructional Technology – Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology could be used in every field to improve jobs. Examples are making computer components even smaller to help computers hold more information and larger files, and in the medical field to implant nano sized devices in patients to fight cancer or in paralyzed patients to create movable parts.

The Broad and Inclusive Road

My point of view is definitely the broad and inclusive road. I like to see an open book rather than a closed book. I am open to new ideas and advancement, however, there should be some way to incorporate values and history into the new designs, and using the history would promote background to learn from, and help to create better models. Technology changes so fast that keeping up is a constant challenge, but on the positive side has made lifelong learners of all of us.

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at it

3 job openings/characteristics
1.      Director of Instructional Design & Development (International Society for Performance Improvement website job postings)
This job is located in a university setting and is a full-time permanent position. The job is a management position overseeing a number of instructional designers, developers and support staff, and is responsible for managing a department budget and development projects. Skills needed for the job are: a PhD in the field, 5 or more years of experience in the field, supervisory experience, proven record of published material, knowledge of current trends in the instructional design area. I do not have the skills needed for this job but look forward to trying to attain them.
2.      Technology Training Specialist (American Society of Training and Development website job postings)
This job is in a business law firm setting. The candidate must have good communication and presentation skills because there will be a lot of interaction with attorneys and other employees in developing and executing training. A qualified applicant will have a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, 3 years of experience in training, will be certified in various office software, and have excellent written and verbal skills. With specific software training, I would be qualified for this job.
3.      Manager of Workplace Learning and Development (ASTD website job postings)
This job is in a technical college and is in the area of Employee Relations and Human Resources. This is in the training and performance area and the applicant will need leadership skills, should be familiar with adult learning, course design and development, and have effective communication and management skills. In addition to designing courses, the applicant will also instruct the courses and oversee electronic courses. A Masters degree is preferred in the field of Instructional Design or a related field, and experience is preferred. With specific software training and work experience, I would be qualified for this job.

Self assessment http://gabrielleconsulting.com/workmatrix.htm

My interpretation of the information from the WorkMatrix is that I prefer working with people as opposed to working alone. I like creating projects as well as administering them. I prefer a friendly atmosphere as opposed to a high stress working environment. Travel is okay but not the majority of the time. Business or education workplaces are comfortable for me.

 2 Professional Organizations - Characteristics

Organization Name	American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)	Association of Educational Communication & Technology (AECT)
Mission Statement	Empower professionals to develop knowledge & skills successfully.	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	1 year - $199. 2 years - $349. Student 1 year - $59. Senior 1 year - $90. International $169. Group and Chapter (depends, see website http://www.astd.org/membership)	Corporate $400. Regular $125. / Regular w/subscription $170. International $ 125.  / w/subscription $170. Retired $60. Student $75. Institutional $250. (1 or 2 members) Institutional $500. (up to 4 members) Institutional $750. (up to 6 members) Institutional $1000. (up to 8 members)
Publications	T&D Magazine, Learning Circuits Magazine, books, on-line learning publications	Numerous publications including books, journals (hard copy and online) see website http://www.aect.org/Intranet/Publications/index.asp
Conferences and Meetings	For 2012, 8 conferences are listed on their website.	Their website list one upcoming Symposium in July, 2012
Opportunity for professional development	Various training is offered on their website. Membership is required.	Various training is offered on their website. Membership is required for most. Some of their professional development opportunities link to Blogs for peer and member input.

 2 Professional Publications - Characteristics

Publication Name	American Journal of Distance Education (AJDE)	Educational Technology Research and Development
Focus/Goals of the journal	This journal publishes articles concerning all areas of distance learning, including online learning, blended education, the internet, and technology.	Focuses on research and development in educational technology only. The journal has two sections 1) concerns practical research and applied theory educational technology, and 2) concerns development such as learning environments and technology applications.
Submission guidelines	Articles must be based on research and pertain to distance education. Articles must not have been published in other journals and submission should not exceed 5,000 words.	Submitted articles undergo blind review process involving 3 reviewers and results of review are usually available within two months of submission.
Is this a peer reviewed journal?	Yes	Yes
Is the journal online?	http://www.ajde.com	http://www.aect.org/intranet/publications/index.asp

The organizations are very important and useful in my career, because of the many benefits they offer, such as job postings, networking, conferences, learning and development, keeping up with current news and trends, and yes being a member of an organization is impressive to potential employers. The publications offer an avenue to research and keep current on trends, scholarly research, and author’s viewpoints.

Performance Technologists - Instructional design and technology competencies

Domain	Competency (must be able to)	Reason
1)      Design	·     Determine project appropriate for the performance area of development needed. ·     Conduct performance needs assessment. ·     Assess learner characteristics	Performance technologists must be able to recognize the problem and take into account the learner and the specific tools and models at hand to work with.
2)      Development	·      Analyze the structural characteristics of jobs, tasks, and content. ·      Write statements and learner outcomes. ·      Specify instructional strategies	Performance technologists must develop training that addresses performance areas and develop strategies to address training development.
3)      Utilization	·      Utilize media and technology in course training	Establish what media and technology is available and will be used.
4)      Management	·     Monitor instructional development projects. ·     Communicate effectively in visual, oral and written forms	Monitor and oversee all aspects of course constantly for success or need for correction.
5)      Evaluation	·     Evaluate instruction/training ·     Monitor instructional development projects	Evaluate performance course results and monitor often to determine results.

Section 5: Trends and Issues in Various Settings

1.                  A rapid prototype example would be presenting a model that gives the viewer an overall picture of what you can offer. The model should be detailed enough to give the audience a good idea of your design and then follow up with how easy the model can be customized to fit the target audiences needs.
This prototype example tells the audience (the business audience of perspective clients needing to advertise their products) about how a simple picture can look 3 dimensional with great lighting and photography. In education the same concept could be used in encouraging primary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, of the use of technology in creating interesting visuals for students, such as the 3 dimensional pictures as opposed to flat uninteresting pictures. This would be a base and the educators would change or improve upon the model/design as desired and with the base prototype presented the educators would have a model to build on and feel they had a voice in the design.
 

2. Training Program for full or limited access to technology.

In addition to a well thought out and tested program considering skill level, and diversity of users.  A series of mini manuals would be available for each soldier. The program would be detailed with interactive lessons and presented in an online classroom, online delivery, and hard copy, and 24 hour available built-in help feature, but also 24 hour live person assistance, via phone or internet. The program would be available in full paper version, but also the series of mini manuals would be available for those soldiers deployed in the field with no computer or internet access. The mini-manuals would be very user friendly and highlight the most important points up front and have an index of terms, points and areas to assure quick access to the specific areas in the manuals users are searching for. Pocket manual may be another term for the mini manual.

3.  Outline a staff development activity that will introduce both Step-up-to excellence and GSTE methodology to your colleagues.

A Teachers Workday – Workshop will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011 in the Administration Building Conference Room. The topic will be: A Process Model and a Process Methodology that can be used to create a better P-12.

A Process Model and a Process Methodology that can be used to create a better P-12.

Workshop Agenda

-  Small teams of teachers will discuss, The Guidance System for Transforming Education process model and the Step-Up-To-Excellence process methodology. Each model and methodology uses a set of elements and events that can be used to create a workable and improved ecological systemic change for primary and secondary schools.

-  Each team will be given sections of each model to form a strategy and plan for their team’s thoughts on how to use the sections of the model for contribution to the big picture of a positive improvement and redesign toward ecological systemic transformation.

4. Research 3 different universities for faculty development

University Name	Texas A&M-Commerce	University of North Texas	University of Texas at Arlington
Names of faculty development	Faculty Development	Faculty Professional Development	Faculty Development and Enrichment
Division faculty development is under	Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs	Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs	Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs
Services offered	Professional development programs, campus resources, conferences, workshops, and off campus faculty development	Professional development programs, campus resources, conferences, workshops, and off campus faculty development	Professional development programs, campus resources, conferences, workshops, and off campus faculty development
How are programs given and what for?	Interactive workshops and conferences, various courses, workshops and conferences offered through Association of American Colleges and Universities. Faculty Development Leave offered through application, and justification and Committee approval.	The programs are given in various ways, such as workshops and conferences and are offered to ensure faculty is effective teachers and productive scholars. Some of the development programs are ACE Fellows Program, Harvard Institutes for Higher Education, Leadership Texas, New Faculty Orientation, CLEAR (Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment, and Redesign)(CLEAR assists with course design, classroom management, learning environments, etc)	In addition to the services offered the UTA faculty is assigned Mentors and meet once a month to discuss issues and concerns. Other programs are Research Support Session, Workshops on tenure and promotion, Teaching Circles Program (to engage in information conversation for certain topics)