section 7

New directions for Instructional Design and Technology:

1. For profit distributive learning is very popular on the internet. These companies usually center around selling access to web sites that are connected to large academic data bases like Wolfram Alpha. There are also web sites that sell access to training video libraries. A good example of this would be Lynda.com .
 The other way that companies do distributive instruction would be software. A good example of this would be Rosetta Stone. They sell software to teach language skills and vocabulary to schools, governments and individuals.

(Rosetta video is from Rossettastone.com )

2. Virtual Classes are like most online classes.  The instructor gives information vial a "virtual" methods. Examples of this would be a on forums, email, Skype or other video conferencing or something like e-college. The assignments, are also completed on line in the virtual class room via similar methods.

3. Hybrid classes use a mixture of technological and traditional instruction methods. An example of a hybrid class would be a History class I took. It had traditional lectures from a professor and online reading and assignments to complete.

4. Distributed Resource support: These are ways of distributing learning materials so that learning and instruction can take place in many locations instead of one centralize location. Here are some examples from the internet.  free.ed.gov/index.cfm   and  amazing-space.stsci.edu/

5. Free Distributive Learning: many sites on the internet have instructional content. here are a few.
about.com ,  learning free online. About features articles with directions on many subjects. A good place to look for fun science fair projects or so I hear. learning free on line features videos much like you tube.

* Re-useability: This topic in the book seems to be focused on rights, technical compatibility and  general trends of a subject matter. The text states that by using creative commons license this can help move software creation away from a time consuming chase for the rights to modify the software. The open source models would be far superior for the world of academia because they require that the "source code" be released and are design around a collaborative culture.
The author also mentions the uses of standards with regards to things like file formats. It is amazing to me how many time these "standards" are based on large corporate products that require lost of extra cost in software or special plugins. I' m going to pick on My Math Lab now. Here is a really great product for teaching various math classes and providing an assist to the instructors teaching math. There are "helps" that will give a bit of tutoring on a type of problem. The student has to learn how to do the type of problem before moving to the next type of problem. This provides subject mastery. Yet it is all done in Adobe Flash and it cost the student about $100 or more a semester. (my price may be a bit out of date) If a school were to do this they could have a similar web based system and do it all in HTML and Java script and it would not require a plug-in and could be modified for each school or subject. It could also be done under an open source agree met for the license that would allow it to grow across academic landscape.

* Rich Media:
Here is the Video from You tube.com about installing a radiator in your house.

                                      

This Video has Narration and written words to enhance the instruction.

*Nano Tech:

Nano technology has the potential to revolutionize The way we build things, do medicine, teach and affect many other areas of life. The nano tubes are currently being used to make very thin thermal image filters and may be used to construct solar panels that will fit on to your classroom window. The thermal imaging that uses less electricity and is thin could revolutionize science classes.

* Roads:

You need as many ways to provide instruction for all the different types of people. This is the only way to effectively provide instructions.

                           

Section 6

• Getting a a position in IDT and succeeding.          

I looked though several of the sites that were recommended in the text book and found they each had their own flavor. The 2 that appear most useful to me where ASTD site and the Target jobs sites. The other site appeared to be built for the professional group and would only give basic information to non-members. Most of the positions that were listed asked for people with a number of years experience. Given the general poor state of the economy this is not surprising. I did find a few positions that look interesting. One was at a university in Virginia That wanted to put create Hybrid learning environment for classes, provided "integrated learning environments" for the Arts programs, and oversee existing "delivery systems".   The qualifications for this job were a bachelors degree, 3 to 5 years experience, "competence" with media production tools/software, learning management system skills, and strong communications skills.
I have a bachelors degree, experience with media production tools, and good communications skills. This is a good example of what the author referred to the need to have experience in media production skills.

The other 2 positions were in the private sector. Xerox needed an "E-Learning" and distance eduction person to create web-based learning and virtual learning sessions. They required someone with a bachelors in Instructional design or Psychology  and 2 years experience in instructional design material.

                                    






The other was a company that sell business phone and computer systems. They were looking for someone to travel and train there sales staff and create a on-line training tools for customers.  They required a "Superior" presentation skills, the ability to produce visual aids and presentation material, and good communications skills.

• I  went to the careeronestop.org site and took the self assessment. It seemed to more of a skills inventory that gave a simple look at skills you already have. I did not learn anything new. 

•  Professional Organizations:

       

SALT (Society for Applied Learning Technology)

            Annual membership of $100.00 (USD) per year

            The New Learning Technologies Conference  2/15 - 2/17

The official SALT publication is called the Journal of Applied Learning Technology (JALT).

Members can post their resumes on the salt web site, get access to the database of publications and receive the SALT news letter.

Mission: 

The Society provides a means to enhance the knowledge and job performance of an individual by participating in Society sponsored meetings, and through receiving Society sponsored publications. It enables one to achieve knowledge for work in the field of applied learning technology by association with other professionals in conferences sponsored by the Society. 

Mission: 

ASTD is the leading association for workforce learning professionals. Our members receive exclusive access to valuable research tools, timely publications, networking opportunities, product and conference discounts, and professional development. 

(This was as close to a "mission statement" as they had).

                        


ASTD has many publications including a magazine, webcast, and library of peer reviewed papers etc.















                                        

 
             

Section 5

• Rapid Prototyping: 

is the creation of a simplified version of a product. This methodology can be used to find many "bugs" or performance issues quickly. It allows the designers to address these issues quickly.  
In an educational setting this can allow an instructional designer the ability to address unforeseen issues quickly and efficiently. It also provides some formative evaluation during the early phases of the educational design. This methodology is built into many web based tools that are utilized by educators. Some examples of these are Blogger, ProProf quiz maker, and YouTube. All of these web based tools allow you to preview things and verify that they will conform to the design. They also allow for rapid changes for improvements.

• Military Training:

Today's military are highly mobile and technical driven organizations. On base operations are generally very connected to resources such as internet, electrical power and so on. If a unit is dispatched to a less resource friendly environment this will effect type of training aids that can be used. I would suggest training aides that utilized technology like "e-ink" a light weight electronic screen that uses electricity when the information on the display has changed. This can allow for manuals and books to be used in a portable device such as the kindle, nook etc. These devices can be preloaded with information and often have the ability to use small flash memory cards to add new information. one device could carry the information of a small library. and the batteries could last a couple of days. Also simple flash cards could be used for memorizing information like local plants to avoid, silhouettes of "friendly" vehicles. Teaching simple memory recall exercises that can be preformed in groups of 2 or more people also a great low tech training method.

                                                        

• GSTE (Guidance System Transforming Education) and (SUTE) Step-Up-To-Excellence:

Both of these methodologies are designed to bring about system wide changes. The GSTE method is based on looking at the core values that have been set up to bring the change and reflecting on how these values will bring about a change in the system and how and what practices it will change. The SUTE method relies on individuals who are committed to change the system to follow a goal for improving based on their experience. This allow  a common goal to be set and then allows the experienced people to initiate change to fit the new goals.

•  Faculty development: 

Stanford University: Faculty development and diversity office. offers many services including a campus orientation, training, computer and technology assistance, forms for research grants, and personal counseling. 

University of Oklahoma ( a football rival to many): the Human Resources department. Minatory training, "additional Training", e-learning and organizational development. are the services offered by this university.
University of Texas (also football rival to many): faculty organization  Leaves for research, workshops and forms are some of the services they offer.
 

section 4

1. The HPI movement is focused on achieving organizational goals by improving the performance of the individuals in the system. This can be accomplished by drawing on many techniques/technologies form many disciplines. One of these disciplines is a technique known as behavioral reinforcement (rewards for the desired behavior). This could be applied to my job by setting up a reward system that gives a reward to student every time they utilize the online workshop materials.

2. Electronic Performance Support Systems is defined by Wikipedia as any computer software program or component that improves user performance.  This definition brings in to focus the help aspect and the improvement aspect of this type of system. Here are some examples of this type of training tool in the "Real world." Clippy the animated assistant for Microsoft's Office 98 suite. This particular EPSS was not well liked by individuals that knew the basic of the user interface. Other EPSS have been received better as they have improved.
EPSS have been limited in the past. As EPSS improve with regards to user interface, become mobile, and become lower in cost the training industry will be more likely to take advantage of their potential.


3. The use of Knowledge Management systems helps the learner make connections to the "real world" (job environment). The blended approach works could work well in a project based learning event. For example Have a contest to help learners learn how to edit video. Then the learners would get the benefits of instruction from a more traditional source, e.g. lectures, and have the reinforcement in the "less formal" on the job part of learning.

4. I have had many experience with informal learning. I like using my iphone for quick references, Youtube.com is a great place to get lots of examples of projects,  and I-Tunes U also has many informative videos. There is experimenting with technology like screen casting and making instructional videos for friends and family.  I enjoy these opportunities more  than the formal classes.

 

Section 3

1. The "after thought of evaluation" comment that begins doctor McElhany reminds me of a problem that often plagues the news industry from time to time. The problem is in the rapid pace of  trying " scoop the competition" a piece of news get incorrectly published because someone puts the fact checking to the last minute. A similar thing can happen in any instructional system design. Good models like CIPP, Kirkpatrick, or ADDIE can help reduce the last minute evaluation tendencies.

2. About 5 years ago I bought a Palm Pilot to use in for self betterment plan. This device was very light weight, portable, and easy to use. The plan was to load books and other educational material on it and use it during breaks at work to better my computer skills. The incompatibility issues came up when trying to load the books and other material on the device. This did not work as advertised. This left me with a device that was not very useful. Now I  look at the syncing ability of portable devices before utilizing them for this purpose. About 2 years ago I acquired an idevice for the same purposes. I find that it has a better syncing, uses common files like PDF and other functions that allow it to be utilized for an self improvement tool.

3. Project: Develop a series of professional development sessions focusing on technology for teachers.

Item one asses the learners current level of skill with technology. Determine what equipment and area the learners will have at their disposal. How will the learners apply this on the job. After this analysis has been done i usually like to find the simplest and least complicated way of providing instruction. Something like a web video or a DVD on the basics of the Technology involved. For example if the technology is a new software application having the first "chapter" of the video that shows how to accesses it and what the user interface looks. Then move into basic functions and so on. Then provide some exercises to get everyone acquainted with the technology. After the initial sessions have some follow up with coworkers and other around to see if the training is allowing for use of the technology. 

section 2

* To familiarize non-traditional college student with The Graphic User Interface of most modern Computer operating systems. Mouse pointer, Menu, window, and applications/programs. First I used a desensitizing exercise(solitaire), behavioral learning theory, get the student use the environment. Then a brief display of each component with a quiz afterward. positive recognition  for successful use of the environment. The other theory is Schema. This is done by showing images of many different iterations of the operating system and pointing out the common pieces and providing a example of a schema the industry uses when talking about the Graphic User interface elements.
 
* Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction  (http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Nine_events_of_instruction)

 Let everyone get time with a computer activity like a game is a good way to get attention. Activating existing knowledge could be done by having the student point to elements they used for the game. Tell them the name of these elements they are pointed at. New knowledge section would be now that you know the names of the elements use them to find this element. Now use this new knowledge to  write a  resume on the word processing application.

Section 1

1. Chapter one give a interesting time line of the development of the field of  “Instructional design and Technology.” There is the early realization that technology is changing the way people can learn. Then the authors attempt to use a systematic definitions. This is the first time the realization that the authors and the people in the field were trying to define a field that is at the intersection of two larger fields of Instruction and Technology.  Reiser and Dempsey, the authors, give a good look at how Instruction and Technology have been joined together into a field of practice and research. The use of Technological tools gives an edge to the learner when they complete their education/training/instruction.  


2.The Dick, Carey, and Carey appears to be based on a constant evaluation loop.with the idea that analysis will provide a self correction out come. I think this might work very well with older students and persons who enjoy competitive activities.

3. I think the internet's effect on education and learning is akin to the development of the printing press at the end of the dark ages. It provides  a large amount of information to almost anyone. It has the added advantage of proving tools, and models to help people use the information. I think this will continue to grow. This may change the shape of schooling in the near future.