I would like to take a moment and blog one last time and say thank you to those that sent me encouraging comments throughout this course. I have learned a great deal about the field of technology and admire the individuals that have chosen this path to follow in a career so much. I want to wish everyone reading this a very happy and safe holiday season!! I submitted my last blog assignment a bit early so that I may enjoy the time I am going to get to spend with my daughter, who is a freshman at Nicholls State University (in south Louisiana). We picked her up this weekend and I was very excited to get to see her!!!!!!!! Take care and thank you again for the experience!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Section 7:New Directions for Instructional Design and Technology
1) Five examples of distributed learning:
Below are five videos that demonstrate different types of distributed learning:
Academic Distributed Learning
Hybrid Classes
Virtual Classes
For-profit Distributed Learning
Free Distributed Learning
2) Identify a course with poor reusability and explain how it could be redesigned for improvement:
This class is only the second online class that I have ever had the experience of taking. The only other online class that I have taken was done strictly through the MyLeo Ecollege. Therefore, I could not identify any one course that I felt was not adequate for the course work involved. I can say that I have learned a great deal more from this course than the previous one I took. The Ecollege site does allow you to explore the library and other areas at Texas A&M – Commerce, but not much more than that. The only thing that I would suggest improving on would be the “Presentation” aspect of the website. By improving on that area no content would be changed and I do not feel that it should.
3) Using rich media in visual instructional?
The video below is an instructional video about pollution. Its surface feature is that it is a video and its functional feature is that it uses technology in a way to demonstrate the importance of using less paper in our daily lives. If we would all use less paper, go paperless with using more technology, we would be saving on a valuable resource – TREES!!!!
4) Using nanotechnology in a specific job?
The video below discuss what nanotechnology is and different ways it is being used today. One of the things in the video that I thought would improve a specific job was the part about the nanotechnology being used in clothing to make it waterproof and how useful it would be to make scrubs using that technology. It would prevent the spread of infections through bodily fluids being absorbed on an individual’s clothing. I thought that would make it a more sanitary climate for the medical profession.
5) Narrow road or Broad and inclusive road?
I would choose the “broad and inclusive road”. The reason for this choice would be because it will allow for a much more open approach to research and study in the field. I do not believe that any research or field of study should be limited to such specifics like the narrow road does. The only way to improve on something is the continually be able to research and study it using as many methods as possible. That is the only way to collect relevant data that will help to improve on something or help to determine if changes or needed.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at it
1. For this assignment I chose to explore the http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?max=25&vnet=0&site_id=136&keywords=instructional+technology&search=Search website. I put Instructional Technology into the search option. The following jobs are the ones that I found of interest:
A.
· Company Name - Michigan State University
· Job Title - Virtual University Design and Technology
· Nature of Position –
These positions will work with faculty, university clients and the vuDAT team (designers, programmers and students) to consult, develop and produce complete web-based courseware for online and blended offerings at MSU. Additionally, these positions will assist with evaluation, testing, implementation, documentation and training of emerging technologies and best practices in teaching and learning with technology.
· Skills Required –
A bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, digital media art, information systems, or educational technology; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in Web design, instructional design, interaction design, information architecture design, project management, and education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Do I have these skills – No
B.
· Company Name - University of Wisconsin – Extension
· Job Title - Director of Instructional Design & Development
· Nature of Position –
o Manage the instructional designers and support staff on the instructional design team
- Mentor senior instructional designers, instructional designers, instructional design associates, and developers
- Set goals and provide regular feedback about performance to individuals on the team.
- Work with the leaders of other CEOEL business units (e.g. Media, IT, Programs) to ensure smooth process and adequate resources.
- Manage the operational budget for the team.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with constituents. Make routine trips to campuses to develop and solidify faculty relationships.
- Maintain a commitment to practitioner scholarship by sharing new knowledge inside and outside the organization.
· Skills Required –
o Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in instructional or education design/technology or related field with 5 or more years related instructional design experience or relevant terminal degree with three years related instructional design experience. o 3 or more years of formal people management (5 or more individuals direct reporting) experience in an instructional design, e-learning, or related setting. o Demonstrated skills and experience providing excellent service to internal and external clients/customers. o Excellent written and verbal communication skills. o Knowledge of learning theories, instructional design theories, instruction systems. Understanding and demonstrated application of sound pedagogy and andragogy instructional design practices. o Willingness and ability to travel to UW System campuses to meet with faculty (statewide travel). · Do I have these skills - No C. · Company Name - Johns Hopkins University-Engineering for Professionals · Job Title - Instructional Designer-Online Course Development o Nature of Position – o Collaborate on the development of instructional materials for online courses that are consistent with sound instructional design principles.
· Do I have these skills – No It was interesting to explore this site with all of the various job offers and their requirements. Not much of a demand for my experience and knowledge in the Pre K field! But I did find this assignment interesting. 2. I chose to explore http://www.careeronestop.org website and I took their Skills Profiler assessment. Below is what the assessment determined from the information that I entered. I cannot say that I learned anything new about myself using this particular assessment, but it was a good experience and I can see where these types of assessments would be beneficial to someone that is considering a field of study to enter into or a career change. At this time in my life I am pleased with my current job and am not looking to change my career path. However, if I was I would consider revisiting these websites for helpful information. I tried several times and several different ways to include the Profile sheet (it indicated that there were no matches for me at this time) but every time I tried to add it to my blog it kept wiping out my entire blog. Therefore, I was not able to include it as indicated above! 3. Below is a chart of the websites I visited and the information they provided: PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS:
I was not aware of these organizations and journals prior to my researching them. I found them very informative. No matter what field of study you are in any information you can gather through these types of websites will be beneficial to the job you are doing. 4. Due to my lack of knowledge in this field I would need to refer to table 27.6 on page 280 in the book and use the competencies listed. I also would refer to table 27.7 in order to determine the domains needed. Those are listed below: Competencies: a) Focus on results and help clients focus on results b) Look at situations systematically, taking into consideration the larger context including competing pressures, resource constraints, and anticipated change c) Add value in how you do the work and through the work itself d) Use partnerships or collaborate with clients and other experts as required e) Be systematic in all aspects of the process including: a. The assessment of the need or opportunity b. The analysis of work and workplace to identify the cause or factors that limit performance c. The design of the solutions or specification of the requirements of the solution d. The development of all or some of the solution and its elements e. The implementation of the solution f. The evaluation of the process and the results Domains: a) Design b) Development c) Utilization d) Management e) Evaluation Again, I would include these because I do not have any knowledge of this field that would help me to create these components on my own. These tables are a great source of information for someone who does not have a direction to begin with. I would research this task and my research would begin with my text book and use their thoughts and ideas to begin with. I wanted to say that I had a great deal of difficulty submitting this week’s blog! Everything that I have done all along did not work this time. Things in my blog appeared in Bold and they shouldn’t have and I could not get it to undo. Some of my graphs did not color in all the way. I am not sure what the problem was. I have done things the same way every week and never encountered the problems I did this time!!! I apologize for the way the blog appears this week!!!! |
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Section 5: Trends and Issues in Various Settings
1) I found a youtube video that discusses wireframe prototyping and I found that to be a useful tool for the educational field. It is a way for the school systems to be connected through the web and using technology as a way to evaluate classroom operations. The wireframe program can allow teachers to create their lesson plans online and easily adjust them as needed. It can allow easy access for administrators to monitor classrooms and the teacher’s progress towards objectives. The program can contain all the things necessary to manage a classroom; attendance, lesson plans, grades, resources, modification plans, etc… It would also allow anyone connected to the classroom access and a way for teachers and administrators to collaborate via the internet!
2)
I used my husband as a resource for this question! He served two tours in Viet Nam, when electronics was not an option. The types of training they received then were very hands on. They began in a classroom setting learning techniques and reviewing situations. They used notebooks and black boards for making diagrams and taking notes. Once they were in the field they simulated classrooms and referred to their notebooks for training purposes. The higher the rank the more detailed the training became. Everything was divided into individual skills and then it was explained how that tied into everyone’s jobs. The lower the skill level the less detailed the training was and the higher the skill level the more detailed it was. In present day conditions all of the training he received would be done electronically using technology. Therefore, if I was hired as a consultant for today’s military I would refer back how training use to be conducted before there was electronic devices available for assistance. I would suggest the use of notebooks and dry ease boards (small or large) and with all of the information and data that is collected through these trainings I would suggest imputing that into a computer program for future training purposes.
3) Our school district will be undergoing some changes and we want for you to decide what the best way to facilitate these changes would be. We will be comparing two different methodologies today for you to consider. The first system is:
Step-Up-To-Excellence:
· The Superintendent, a few teachers that they have chosen, and possibly a few school board members will be deciding whether or not to completely redesign the school district
o The purpose of this team will be to prepare the system to engage in systemic change
· This will be called the Pre-Launch Preparation
· Once a decision has been made to go forward with the change a new team will be formed
o Strategic Leadership Team
§ Superintendent
§ Teachers & building administrators (picked by their peers)
· They will appoint and train a Transformation Coordinator
o Will provide tactical leadership for the transformation
· District Engagement Conference
o Will create new strategic framework for district that will included a new mission, vision, & strategic plan
· Step 1 on the change:
o Cluster improvement teams are formed
§ They will improve district’s core & supporting work processes, district’s internal social architecture, & the district’s relationship with its environment
· Steps 2-4:
o “create strategic alignment”
§ This will ensure three things:
· That everyone is working toward the same strategic goals & visions for the district
· Weaves a web of accountability for everyone
· Forms a social architecture that allows for team effectiveness without political hassles
· Step 5:
o Evaluations are made of cluster performances, schools, & teams which will measure the success of everyone’s efforts to educate children
The second system we will be reviewing today is:
Guidance System for Transforming Education:
This model provides a facilitator with guidance about the process. The district and our community should engage in for a successful change.
This model provides a list of core values about the change process. The chart below is a list of the core values this model supplies:
Caring for children and their future | Respect |
Systemic thinking | Responsibility |
Evolution of mindsets about education | Readiness |
Inclusiveness | Collaboration |
Stakeholder empowerment and ownership | Community |
Participant commitment | Ideal vision |
Co-evolution | Wholeness |
Facilitator | Common language |
Process orientation | Conversation |
Context | Democracy |
Time | Culture |
space |
There are some “discrete events” or activities that must occur in order for the change to be successful and these events are listed in the chart below:
Phase I. Initiate Systemic Change Effort |
Phase II. Develop Starter Team |
Phase III. Develop District-Wide Framework and Capacity for Change |
Phase IV. Create Ideal Designs for a New Educational System |
With this particular model there are “continuous events” or activities that need to be addressed continuously during the change process. These events that must be addressed during the change process are listed in the chart below:
Evaluate and improve the change process. Build and maintain political support. Sustain motivation. Develop and sustain appropriate leadership. Build and maintain trust. Evolve mindset and culture. Periodically secure necessary resources. Develop skills in systems thinking. Periodically and appropriately allocate necessary resources. Develop group-process and team-building skills. Build team spirit. Engage in self-disclosure. Engage in reflection. Develop design skills. Communicate with stakeholders (two-way). Build and evolve community. Foster organizational learning. Build an organizational memory. |
Now that you have been presented with the two systems that our district is considering using in order to facilitate an overall change of the way our school district is operated, we will allow you to vote as to which system we will enact.
4) Faculty Development and University comparison:
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