Chapter 26- Getting an Instructional Design Position: Lessons from a Personal History
1. What are the media production skills in highest demand for instructional designers today? What courses are available for you that would strengthen this skill set? What projects could you complete that would strengthen your portfolio? Who are the leading academics publishing in the field of media production in instructional design?
There are several skills that are in high demand for instructional designers. Business skills, instructional media knowledge, analytical and management skills and the ability to communicate well are some key points to set up an ideal candidate for a position in instructional design (Reiser, 2012). Eric Matas, an author for eLearning Weekly elaborated defining graphic design skills, mobility, ability to acclimate, knowledge of video production and social media awareness were also critical (2011). Completing projects in a current position relating to those skills defined, even if not assigned would help to enhance portfolio strength and expertise. Also, taking courses in video production, project management, social media and other highly valued skills would help to increase awareness a content knowledge and provide credibility in the field. Also, keeping current with journals and publications related to instructional design is a useful way to facilitate success. Some of those journals include The American Journal of Distance Education or Computers & Education. A formative list can be found by clicking here.
2.Reading through the lessons the author offers, which three areas do you think you should focus your attention on most? Prioritize a list of 10 action steps you could take to enhance your proficiency in these areas, and thereby increase your probability of landing the job you want.
Reiser provides a detailed list of several lessons to help search for a job in instructional design. The three most prominent lessons are:
- Lesson 11: Become active in professional organizations
- Lesson 12: Publish, Don’t cherish
- Lesson 14: Develop an area of Expertise.
Those lessons are important to increase credibility and show interest in the field. Also claiming an area of expertise helps to focus the job search and minimize extraneous job searches that would not otherwise be interesting. There are several steps that I can take to increase proficiency in the three areas listed above.
- Step 1: Research professional organizations to see what the criteria is for involvement and to gain a list of organizations that are of interest.
- Step 2: Network with other members of the organization and make them aware of my knowledge and abilities.
- Step 3: Research Journals of interest, that may be interested in the work that I have produced.
- Step 4: Edit pieces for submission.
- Step 5: Review submission requirements and decide when to submit materials. One materials are submitted follow up with the publishers to check on the status of the submission.
- Step 6: If the submission is designed, start again and attempt to have another piece published.
- Step 7: Research the various areas of instructional design that are of interest.
- Step 8: Join organizations directly affiliated with that interest.
- Step 9: Read all of the literature I can acquire in the topic of interest.
- ‘Step 10: Research job requirements and criteria to help prepare for a profession in instructional design.
Chapter 29- E-Learning and Instructional Design
1. The author sets out to answer the question, "do we have the conceptual models to adapt to 'the shifting landscape of e-learning'?". Describe what he estimates as "e-learning's most powerful and uncultivated feature". In what ways do you agree or disagree with him?
E-learning is a vast and unexplored area of learning. Resier indicates that there are still several powerful and uncultivated features in e-learning, of which we still need to adapt. The field of e-learning specifically caters to graduate students, and eliminates undergraduate students. However, there are several opportunities where undergraduate students could vastly benefit from some of the features that are implemented into e-learning design. E-learning techniques, paired with the growing trend for instructional design in all fields, should be taught at a bachelors level to instill creativity, flexibility and knowledge about the field that they are venturing into, regardless of the speciality.
2. Assume you have been told to design a “Twenty-First-Century Learning Course” that incorporates the full range of techniques and technologies that are used today (social networking, collaboration, Facebook, etc.). What are the key characteristics for which you would design, and how would you design for intentional vs. unintentional learning?
Several characteristic I would include in an online, twenty first century learning course, are as follows:
- Integration of an online group project through PBworks for an intentional learning activity.
- Weekly discussion posts to stimulate interest and navigate unintentional learning.
- Links to various journals and websites with similar content to stimulate unintentional learning.
- Blog integration to learn about relevant material through unintentional learning.
- Interactive videos made through Jing and Screencast to introduce concepts and ideas and activate intentional learning.
- Submission of projects through a blog to finalize intentional and unintentional learning.
References
Bentley, J. The Journals in the field of instructional technology. Retrieved from
http://designer.50g.com/journals.htm on May 26, 2014.
Matas, E. (2011). Top 5 E-learning Job Skills for 2011. ELearning Weekly.
Reiser, R. (2012). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology. 3. Pearson
Publishing
