Reflections

Learning Shards

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Seashells. I just returned from a week long sojourn at the beach with my family and we have two bags full of seashells. This was my first real beach vacation. Growing up in the Midwest, the only beaches I visited were the freshwater-lake kind. Until you’ve been to the ocean, you haven’t been to the … Read more

The m-learning train has left the station

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Lately, I’ve been thinking about directions – where I’ve been and where I want to go.  Unemployment will do that to you. Lots n’ lots o’ thinkin.’ Some bad, but most good. Think good thoughts right? I decided I want to focus my energy (when not focused on gainful employment) on the wonderful world of mobile learning, or m-learning, or good ol’ learning as many in our community prefer. Mobile learning, be it phone, tablet, or some such similar device is only going to expand. We, as learning professionals, need to be on the forefront of designing quality, performance driven training for mobile delivery.

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I love it when a PLN comes together

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I confess.  I love my PLN (personal learning network).  Engagement is the key.  I am not the most extroverted person.  In fact in junior high I was one of those guys standing uncomfortably next to the wall while the “cool” guys asked all the girls to dance.  That’s ok, I never liked Spandau Ballet anyway.  While I have definitely overcome that paralyzing shyness, I am still not one to “work the crowd” as they say.  So, the social media thing kind of threw me for a loop as far as engaging with people.

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What the heck is an instructional designer? – Part 1

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Being thrown back into the job hunting market has made me acutely aware of the fact that nobody understands what I do.  Methinks it’s time for an intro to my world and what it is I actually do.  I do not design software.  I do not fix computers.  I do not produce marketing materials.  And I am not restricted to only working in the industry of my last job (healthcare).

I am an instructional designer.  What exactly does that mean?  I get a lot of blank stares and misinterpretations about my profession.  First question posed to me: So, you are like an architect/interior designer?  Half the time it’s architect, the other half it’s interior designer.  Not so much.

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On being an ID: A cautionary tale

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I am an instructional designer. I am a multimedia developer. I have my Master’s degree in Instructional Design & Technology and have been working in the field for five years. I’ve seen plenty of learning examples, from paper to CBT to rapid e-learning and everything in between. I think I have a pretty good sense of what works stylistically and from a UX point of view. I have a fairly good grasp of the technology and the theory behind instructional design. With that being said, it’s hard sometimes not to be a little smug and sit on top of my Vygotskian throne dispensing wisdom to the inept SMEs who cross my path. “You want to do THAT? Oh, well, {insert choice learning theory here} states you should do THIS…”, or “we tried that approach 4 years ago and they didn’t get it” (as if it is the exact same approach with the exact same learners, tools, time frame, etc.).

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I’m a Luke in a Han World

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I recently moved to a new state and made the switch from working at the office to working from home.  While unpacking I came across a rolled up poster from my childhood.  Turns out it was a movie poster for The Empire Strikes Back.  Yes, I am a Star Wars fan boy.  Still have my action figures, ships, etc.  I decided to hang the poster over my desk in the new home office.

The Empire Strikes Back

The poster shows Luke looking off into the distance, maybe towards a better future?  Maybe towards his destiny?  Who knows?  He was chastised by Yoda for always looking for adventure instead of keeping his mind on the present.  Yoda had a good point.  Luke did spend a fair amount of time fantasizing about his future rather than focusing on the task at hand.  But, I would contend that he was just forward thinking.  He was looking for a better life, a life where he could make a difference.

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