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Post #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 e-learning environments
• reusable design or learning objects
• rich media
•  emerging instructional technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, Web 2.0, virtual worlds, electronic games, etc.

dE-Learning environments

The current district that I serve has a policy of B.Y.O.T. (bring your own technology). Students are able to bring their smartphones, laptops or tablets to assist them in class. I think this is a great way to show students that these items are not only available to keep them connected to the latest social media website but can also be used to help them learn. I plan to strongly encourage my students to use technology on a daily basis.

Learning Objects

I am a huge fan of using PowerPoint and other game type formats to assist my students in reviewing for their tests. It adds an element of fun to their lessons and provides them tools to remembering the material.

Rich Media

Any materials that we print for our students is visually appealing. This helps them to be excited to read the information and we also go far as to printing it on specific types and colors of paper. 

Electronic Games

Games are a way that we keep our students engaged in our workshops. The majority of students are coming from a lecturing type classroom and we want to ensure that we are providing a different type of setting for our students. 

Post 6: Getting an IDT Position and Suceeding

This section of your textbook focuses on jobs in the profession of instructional design and technology: lessons and tips on how to get one and organizations 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 field; 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.

A. 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?).

Currently, I am a TRiO Talent Search advisor for the University of North Texas. I serve Gainesville ISD and I am in my fourth year with this position. I am a TRiO alum and I strongly believe in these programs and the success they bring to their student. TRiO programs primarily serve first generation (neither biological mother or father has bachelors degree) and low-income students. 

I just began my course work for the M.S. in Educational Technology at TAMUC and with hard-work dedication, I hope to graduate in exactly one year in Fall 2014. 

I have always had a niche for technology and decided to pursue that passion after completing my M.S. in Higher Ed Admin this past Spring (my true passion). 

B. Next, describe the kind of work that you want to do and the type of organization or institution in which you want to work. Use the WorkMatrixTM in the chapter titled “Getting a Job in 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?

In January, I plan to begin working towards an alternative teaching certification and hopefully I will find a teaching position (EC-12 Tech App) for the 2014-2015 school year. I plan to use the knowledge earned from my degree to implement technology into my classroom. After teaching for three years, I would like to possibly become a school counselor or a district's technology curriculum coach/facilitator where I will train teachers and other school personnel to assist in enhancing student learning through technology (by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes)  I most definitely would love to remain in the public sector due to the many rewards that comes along with it.  

C. 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?I feel fully qualified to perform as an educator, but I know that I will have the normal first-year classroom issues that teachers experience.  For example, I work with my students now in a classroom-like atmosphere where once a month underclassmen visit me instead of their elective periods, but I will need to become accustomed to teaching the same curriculum to all my students as opposed to having to deal with various different grades and their objectives. I feel like confident that I will earn these skills through my continuing education and through the Ed Tech program at TAMUC. Since I would to become a counselor or tech coach, my previous experiences with working with students will surely assist me in being successful in either path I choose. 

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

I hope to be able to have a successful classroom and I think the National Association for Alternative Certification (NAAC) will be a great staring point for me in my transition to teaching. This organization will provide me assistance in transitioning into the classroom.