New Directions in IDT

Rich-media definitely has benefits and draw-backs. Benefits: makes for a more rounded presentation of information, allows learners with different styles to access the same information, takes into account some physical limitations. Draw-backs: can be distracting, make for a slower loading page/lesson/module, etc, can tempt learners to skip the main text and just focus on the rich part of the media. For those of us with ADD/ADHD, it can completely throw us off our stride in studying. For example: a few years ago, I was working through a rich-media presentation that included a lot of interactive images and animations. Unfortunately, I never finished that training because I spent all my time clicking on the interactive elements and seeing just what they would do and how they would react to different actions on my part.

Because I have spent so much time teaching languages, I automatically saw benefits of rich-media and virtual worlds. Then, I thought of a way to combine the two for even better effectiveness. I would love to create a MUVE for a Spanish class (and, maybe another for an ESL class) where students can become participants in a world where they have to develop their language skills in the new language in order to advance in the world. For example, a Second Life type world where beginners would be recognizable as beginners and would therefore be presented with images and printed words whenever another person spoke in the target language. Then, as they improved their language skills, they would earn credits that would allow them to change their virtual appearance to match their newer skills. Eventually, they would be able to appear, in the MUVE, as native speakers of the language. At that point, they could choose to move on to a commercial platform where they would be able to continue to practice their new skills so as to not regress. Or, they could choose to move on to the real world and apply their skills in face-to-face situations.

At the same time, I would need to make sure that there were some sort of built-in safeguards that would keep students who are easily distracted from wasting their time playing around, uselessly, with the interactive features. Perhaps there could be a roving “sheriff” who would occasionally “test” a student’s progress and remind them that they need to make good use of their time. Not entirely sure how to make this part of the equation happen. But, I will continue looking into it.

Reiser, Robert V.; Dempsey, John V.. Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (3rd Edition). Pearson HE, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Informal discussions with students about types of new learning environments they would like to see implemented.

Getting and Improving in the Job

I am currently enrolled in the Education Technology Leadership program because I felt that it would afford me the best range of options for moving out of the classroom and into an area that was more directly related to the technology that I so enjoy working with. Once I graduate, I hope to be able to move into a field where I will work more with technology and professionals instead of being in the classroom with high school students. I love them, but the older I get, the less I seem to understand them. And, I have always been more comfortable around people who were at least middle aged. So, not entirely sure how I ended up teaching elementary and secondary students.

Reflect on where you are.

I have taught for over 15 years in public schools and one university. But, currently, I am not working.

Where do you want to go?

After reviewing multiple options in and out of the educational sector, I am inclined toward technology or network training in industry or medicine. As I mentioned previously, I have always been fascinated with medicine and the research therein.

What do you need to learn or do to get there?

One thing that I need to do is to begin networking with those I know in the field I want to join. I will make my first foray into that shortly by visiting with a particular technologist at an area hospital, possibly even offering to do a bit of volunteer work for him so that I can demonstrate that I do have sufficient skills to move into that area.

I have visited with a network engineer I know at an area hospital and delved into some of what will be necessary to make the switch of careers. The first thing he mentioned was that I should work on getting certain certifications. Among those are: Microsoft and Adobe certifications.

I may also need to consider making a change-over to a couple of Info Tech courses for next semester, so as to be able to have that training on my resume. It seems that there is a large element in this nation, much like in Europe, that believe that anything from education cannot be useful anywhere else. So, it may well behoove me to at least pick up a couple of courses in an area that is perceived as more related.

What kind of work do you want to do and in what type of organization or institution?

Teaching doctors and nurses to improve their performance through technology would be my dream job. As I would love to work in a medical facility such as a hospital, I know that I would need to develop a better understanding of exactly what areas of medical work need to be streamlined and what types of things are pretty much set in stone. For example, there are standard formats for reporting information which cannot necessarily be changed. But, the way in which that information is entered into the reporting system could likely be improved. My strengths have always been in the areas of figuring out new and better ways of accomplishing tasks and jobs. What I need to learn is the things that cannot be changed and how it is that they MUST be done, such as the format for reporting data. It is unlikely that I will learn the particular skills I need in the courses I am currently taking. Instead, I will need to find either a medical coding course or get on with someone who can demonstrate these things to me on the job.

What organizations would best support your continued learning after you graduate?

I believe the top three organizations that would prove most useful to me in the endeavors I described above are:

1) American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) – Now known as Association for Talent Development: Would provide me opportunities and information to expand and focus my skills for the particular field in which I wish to work. Would also allow me to discover new ways of applying the skills I already have.

2) International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) – Specifically focused on improving the use of technology in teaching and training. As Performance Improvement is the field that I am most interested in within the medical technology realm, this would be a great resource for me.

3) Society for Applied Learning Technology (SALT) – Dedicated to those whose profession requires knowledge and application of educational technology. This would be a great resource for me to extend my own skills, thereby allowing me to be more effective to those I would be serving. Unfortunately, they are no longer accepting new memberships and will cease to exist once all current memberships expire.

Do you think you would benefit from joining those organizations before graduating?

In this instance, I do believe that joining these organizations prior to graduation would be a benefit to me. As I am looking to move into a very different field, I need to hone my skills to their sharpest and develop as much of a network as possible in order to be able to have the necessary connections for being successful in this new field. These organizations would all make these more possible and easier than they would otherwise be. They would also demonstrate to potential employers my level of dedication and earnestness, so that I don’t look like just someone who walked in off the street hoping to tell professional medical personnel how to do their jobs.

References:

Reiser, Robert V.; Dempsey, John V.. Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (3rd Edition) (Page 276). Pearson HE, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Association for Talent Development https://www.td.org/

International Society for Performance Improvement https://www.ispi.org/

Society for Applied Learning Technology http://salt.org/salt.asp?ss=l