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Reflection of my year of grad school in Instructional Design & Technology

How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer?

·Month 1:         Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership

This course provided an insight on what the next year would be like and offered me additional skills in leadership.

Month 2:      Strategies for Learner Engagement

Having been teaching at the university level for the last 3 years, this course provided additional methods to engage and motivate even the most distracted, clueless kid. I began developing my very attentive community of practice during this course.

Month 3:      Visual and Verbal Communication in Instructional Design

I learned how to align course content for specific audiences, which included using color, typography, and images.

Month 4:      Corporate Training and Motivational Development

I learned how to create presentations that would motivate learners and/or colleagues. It also helped me create more professional and valid assessments.

Month 5:      Instructional Design and Evaluation

This course proved to be one of the most challenging for me.  In this course, I learned how to design professional objectives in instructional methods.

Month 6:      Digital Media and Learning Applications

In this course, I developed skills in learning applications, such as, adding narration to silent movies, using object classification in photography, and character text.

Month 7:     Music and Audio for Instructional Design

This course was a lot of fun as this is my wheel house.  I learned how to professional master a video with added music and narration by telling a fairy tale.

Month 8:      Filmmaking Principles for Instructional Design

In this course, I developed skills in videography, narration, lighting, and music. I used these skills to design an educational video.

Month 9:      Game Strategies and Motivation

In this course, I learned how to apply game theories to create motivation and engagement. I also learned how to use Keynote to design a working game with an educational topic. I also learned to design assessments to evaluate educational goals.

Month 10:      Learning Management Systems and Organization

I further developed my skills of how to deliver instructional content via Schoology, and other LMS’ that are widely used in schools. This course showed me how to communicate effectively with students online and offline, providing assignments and assessments via an LMS.

Month 11:      Media Asset Creation

I further developed my professional skills in videography, infographics, and gaming assets during this course. I designed a multimedia project focusing music education at the college level.

Month 12:      Final Instructional Design and Technology Project

This is the capstone course of my Master’s Degree program. I learned how to professionally design an online portfolio that will benefit my entrepreneurial spirit as well as at my current employer to increase my opportunities.

How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Final Project?

For my final project, I was able to utilize many of theories, design strategies and multimedia content.  In my final project, I focused on creating an instructional video using a green screen, as well as strategies for engagement.  I also created an interactive asset that focused on teaching the values of notes.  Typography was key in creating engagement as well as audio and video within the asset. I also created an instructional game that created competition, which leads to learner engagement and motivation to learn the material.  

Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

The most outstanding personal triumph in each course is as follows:

·      Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership – Online

Prior to my enrollment in grad school, I had lost both of my parents and went through a divorce.  This class helped me to regain my focus and set my goals to make myself and my parents proud.  

·      Strategies for Learner Engagement

I developed a deeper understanding of how to create engaging and motivating learning environments.

·      Visual and Verbal Communication in Instructional Design

I learned how to utilize Lynda.com tutorials to help me develop skills in typography which was a huge lightbulb that went off in creating engaging assets.

·      Corporate Training and Motivational Development

I learned how to use my educational background to create more motivational corporate training modules. I learned how to add graphics to a video using iMovie.

·      Instructional Design and Evaluation

I am finally confident in giving meaningful feedback on a corporate level, in a professional manner. I learned how a team can work together on a professional level and design an effective project.

·      Digital Media and Learning Applications

Although I had great difficulty with Adobe Illustrator in the beginning, I was able to create an interactive on music instruction.

·      Music and Audio for Instructional Design

Composing audio to silent video was a great learning experience in this class.

·      Filmmaking Principles for Instructional Design

This course was a lot fun.  In this course I really saw the value of creating a strong storyboard.  I had tried to “wing” it and not plan, but that strategy left me stressed out and frustrated.  On my second iteration, the use of the storyboard made the flow of the project go much smoother.  

·      Game Strategies and Motivation

During this course, I learned how important gaming can be in the classroom. I now know how to design an effective educational game.

·      Learning Management Systems and Organization

I have used LMS’s in the classroom previously, but I learned just how much more these can benefit students. This course deepened my knowledge on LMS’s and assessments and surveys that can benefit me in future designs.

·      Media Asset Creation

Because I was instructed to use multimedia assets to create a project, this allowed me use many skills I have learned over the last ten months. I am actually using this project in my current position as a professor at Full Sail University in Fundamentals of Music.

·      Final Instructional Design and Technology Project

Going deep into creating my portfolio was a great “ah-ha” moment in this class.  I will be using Adobe Portfolio and Behance in my future project developments.  Even though this is my last class in my Master’s Degree in Instructional Design and Technology, I am still learning new and exciting things!

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Learning Management Systems and Organization

Reflect

My attitude influenced my behavior through trying many different types platforms until I found that Schoology would fit my course most effectively.

Inquire

Within the Schoology platform, I need to revisit how to upload interactive PDF’s.  

Suggest

If I would have had more time, I would have developed more content to beef up each activity.  

Elevate

In the future I will approach similar situations through evaluating the different types of platforms to see which is the most effective 

Landing page for LMS rollout

Intended audience for LMS rollout

Purpose of the course for LMS rollout

Learning outcomes for LMS rollout

Platform used for LMS rollout

Types of learning instruction for LMS rollout

A week at a glance for the LMS rollout

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Mastery Journal Reflection: Learning Management Systems and Organization

Should instructional designers be required to be industry certified to practice in the profession? Why or why not?

The question of whether or not instructional designers should be required to be industry certified to practice in the profession has been debated now for many years according to Dempsey and Van Eck (2012).  Due to the fact the demand and reward structures for instructional designers are increasing, it can certainly be argued that having standards in place to make sure the quality of the designer meets professional standards is of utmost importance (Dempsey & Van Eck 2012).  Organizing and designing information and procedures have become more associated with the essentials of production and less with “nice to have” in the marketplace.

According to Dempsey & Van Eck (2012), organizations will be forced by accreditation and certification standards to demonstrate that instructors and course developers have been certified as competent.  Accrediting bodies are now beginning to require the certification of instructional designers, thus proving that certification is inevitable.

Explain why continuing education in instructional design and technology is important, and how you plan to continue to develop your technical skills to remain competitive in the field. Refer to at least one outside source.

Technology is ever changing by the minute.  The importance of staying in tune and abreast of developing technologies holds true in my fields.  In fields such as nursing, lawyers, teachers, insurance professionals and countless others, the expectation to continue education is of the essence to remain at the highest level of the industry.  In the field of instructional design, where learning or training is taking place, the need to stay current with trends happening in the marketplace is essential according to Dempsey & Van Eck (2012).

According to Klein & Richey (2005), keeping certification current informs the public that individuals who have achieved certification and have maintained it as well as current with industry standards.  It could be argued this is a common-sense issue. When it comes to doctors, teachers, or a variety of industries, we expect those professions to adapt with the technology and not be stuck in the ice age of information.  The expectation for the instructional designer could be argued that it should hold the same weight.

Considering how quickly eLearning theories and practices have evolved, and in anticipating more changes in the future, how will you ensure that you as an instructional design professional will keep abreast of future changes? Your response should include relevant facts and information from the reading assignment and outside sources that support your argument and must include accurate in-text APA-style citations.

As an instructional designer, in order to stay on top of the eLearning theories and practices that have evolved, I will keep abreast of future changes through being a part of the International Board of Standards for Training, as well as other academic groups of instructional designers.  I will attend symposiums and conferences of the latest instructional design advances in the marketplace.  According to Dempsey & Van Eck (2012), e-learning environments are more complex and more demanding of skilled instructional designers than ever before, so the need to be in the know of the latest developing technologies and theories is crucial.

According to Klein & Richey (2005), to remain current with instructional technologies the designer must continually improve their ability to communicate effectively, comply with established ethical and legal standards, stimulate and sustain learner motivation and engagement (which has changed dramatically over the past 10 years due to social media), manage an environment that fosters learning and performance as well as manage the instructional process through the appropriate use of technology.  These items are vital to my continued growth in this industry and my desire to foster growth in others.

References

Dempsey, J., Van Eck, R. (2018). E-learning and instructional design. In R. A. Reiser & J. V. Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (4th ed.) (pp. 229-236). Boston, MA: Pearson

Klein, J. Richey, R. (2005), Improving individual and organization performance: The case for international standards. Performance Improvement, 44(10), 9-14. doi:10.1002/pfi.4140441004

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Above are the screenshots from my storyboard which include scenes 1 -7 of my Instructional Video.  Here is some of the feedback from my instructor regarding my video.  

The footage is not the best. I know you were busy this month, but take away the understanding of how long it takes to get really good footage and don't short change yourself on time and footage.

The video moves slowly. Too much time at the start setting it up. Too little time spent on the instruction. And the end result tie doesn't look all that great.

Overall, a first effort you should be proud of and learn from.

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This was my final project for Filmmaking Principles in Instructional Design. This project was challenging as I reflect back on the process that I took.  I was hesitant to use a storyboard at first because I thought it would slow my creative process down.  This was an incorrect assumption.  Not using a storyboard actually slowed my process down and it became very unorganized at times.  Once I decided to use the storyboard the process became very organized and streamlined.  I was challenged by how to use lighting effectively, which was a great exercise for me.  I felt very confident in my ability to write and produce this film.  What I will take to future projects from this class is the value of storyboarding everything as well as making sure I have an engaging storyline that has a sense of humor and that also accomplishes the instructional aspect of the film.

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Here is the audio file for The Bird, the Sausage, and the Mouse.  Enjoy!!

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Reflection - Music and Audio for Instructional Design.

For my music and audio project, I thoroughly enjoyed creating a soundscape that would cause my learners to be engaged and remain engaged throughout the entire audio presentation.  Utilizing sound design techniques and using Garage Band, which was a new experience for me, I was able to effectively produce a great final product. Concepts that I can revisit in future projects would be to possibly widen my mix through more panning and panning automation.  If I would have had more time I would have created my own sound EFX instead of using ones from the net in order to be more authentic.  For future projects where these concepts would be used, I would approach them in a similar manner.  Understanding who my audience is and making sure that the audio and music that is chosen really sets the mood and demeanor for the learner.  In the case of this project, the music and sound bites really put the learner right in the middle of the story. You could feel the tension and positive release not only through the narrative but also through the soundscape.  On this project, I received a 100%. 

Rubric Criteria and Points

Music Story Project Content: 50/50

The completed audio file is effective in telling a story based on the selected literature to the intended audience. (20 points)

The genre and mood are engaging and appropriate for the intended target audience. 

(10 points)

The delivery of the Creative Narrative Section with Music is more lyrical than the Narration 1 and Narration 2 sections. (10 points)

The completed audio file contains all of the required elements and fulfills the requirements as listed in the instructions. (10 points) 

 Quality of Posts: 20/20

The initial post accurately describes the topic, intended mood, and appropriateness for the listener. (10 points)

The response posts offer helpful insights to peers based on the criteria for evaluating the content and technical aspects of audio and music. (5 points)

The final post accurately summarizes the learning experience and the adjustments made to the audio file to reach a professional level of quality. (5 points) 

 Technical Requirements: 20/20

The completed audio file is between 3-1/2 and 4-1/2 minutes in length. (10 points)

Each item in the EDL is within the timeframe specified. (5 points)

The completed audio file is free of technical errors. (5 points) 

    Quality of Work: 10/10     

Meets expectations relative to Carter’s 4 instructional design standards: The four selection of the narrative format, the fleeting nature of spoken words, the environmental soundscape, and the differences between listening and hearing.

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Narration timing for Brothers’ Grimm story - The Bird, the Sausage, and the Mouse

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The Brothers’ Grimm - The Bird, Sausage, and the Mouse

Garage Band workflow - automation, edits, volume, panning, Equalization, and Compression

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Mastery Journal Reflection

Month 6 Instructional Design Feedback

How I plan on implementing the feedback that was given below from my month 6 Final Project is to make sure that I proofread more thoroughly to make sure that the questions or narration flows and makes sense.  Also I want to make sure that I go deeper in my feedback or analysis of what I am writing or researching.  See below for feedback from my final project in Month 6.

Reo McBrideMon Nov 20 @ 5:11 pm EST

Jamie, the following scores are based on how well you adhered to the rubric and the instructions:

Effectiveness of the Interactive Quiz: 30/35

You provided a rationale for your first design, but not for the two remaining ones. The questions and associated feedback accurately assess the learning from the video. However, you will want to better proofread as the question about where the scientist came from was a bit awkward. Also, the feedback on a few of the questions was somewhat shallow.

Technical Accuracy: 35/35

No mechanical errors were noticed; the quiz works correctly; the shading of the picture provides great contrast with the type-font used; images are distortion free

Peer Review:  30/30

I am not seeing that you performed a peer review. This may have been my fault due to the discussion board posting I made. No worries.

Edited by Reo McBride · Mon Nov 20 @ 5:24 pm EST

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The process for creating an Interactive Quiz was quite exhilarating and fun.  I was very challenged at the beginning of this assignment due to being intimidated by the whole concept of coding.  Through some good coaching from Dr. Reo, I was able to successfully accomplish a working interactive quiz.  The topic of the quiz was intriguing to me as I was looking for something in outer space that had to relate to sound.  This topic was exciting and the questions that I posed to my learners, I believe, will give them a better understanding of sound in space.  Utilizing authentic assessments was an interesting way to accomplish my learning outcomes.  I look forward to using interactive quizzes for my classes at Full Sail.  Great stuff!! Thanks Dr. Reo!!!

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Feedback from Instructor for Final Project of Month 4

Heather Marron Thu Sep 28 @ 4:10 pm EDT

Connecting/

Synthesizing/

Transforming

Overall, good job on your  project this week. It shows a solid understanding of the message creation and  delivery items discussed in the course material. As with everything here at  Full Sail, and especially this month, a little more time and you would have  been pretty close to perfect.

 The feedback for Joseph  was well done too. It provided him with some options to help improve his  video.

 Points -- 22/25

Solving  Problems

The  video does a good job creating a unique and interesting way to connect with  the audience. The company logo and feel is good and you do a good job with  the analogy at the end.

Points -- 25/25

Theoretical  Application

As a whole, the video  shows a good understanding of the skills discussed in the course. The message  is well done and you do a good job connecting with the audience.

 You already recognize  this, but working to bookend the video will help the message even more.

 Brining in a little more  of the information from the visual part of the course would be helpful  too. 

 Points -- 22/25

Acquiring  Competencies

The final video shows  your progression and learning through the month. Work to further integrate  the visual learning items discussed in the class. You have a good start, but  some take away from you as the presenter more than they add to the  presentation.

 Points -- 22/25

Total 91

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Month 4 (Corporate Training & Development) Mastery Journal Reflection

For the final project, in month four of my class in Instructional Design & Technology, I combined a total of four iterations to introduce the Conscious Competency Theory to my audience of new hires for an instructional design entrepreneurial company similar to Google.  This audience ranged from between the ages of 20-30 years old, which are often identified as “millennials”.  I thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating this project.  From gathering the data about Millennials, to creating graphics to support the data, it was a great learning experience.  I enjoyed editing and recreating my video to make sure I communicated the message that I was trying to get across.  The feedback I received from my peers were very helpful, and each time I recreated the presentation, I became more succinct and a better communicator.  The first iteration focused on planning the presentation by collecting and processing information as well as developing an understanding of my audience and writing my script.  I then produced a draft video presentation, in which I spoke to the camera for 2-3 minutes presenting my scripts.  The second iteration, I had the opportunity to perfect my on-screen footage. The third iteration, I designed graphics to be edited into my video presentation and finally in my fourth iteration, I completed the editing process.

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Feedback captured from Month 2 Final Project

In the final project for this class, we were asked to design an interactive eLearning module based on the infographic I created in Week 2 of this course.  This project was an interactive Keynote presentation with audio narration that I would share with my fellow classmates.  

The subject and purpose of this presentation were to educate what the benefits of using Renewable Energy are by breaking down the usage of natural resources over a fixed period of time. The learning outcomes for this presentation were as follows:

1.     Develop a functional interactive presentation using the principles of typography and layout design.

2.     Craft effective instructional narration to accompany a visual presentation.

3.     Give, receive, and implement constructive criticism.

The feedback that I received from the professor showed that I was successful in achieving the learning outcomes.  According to the rubric, I received a Level 2 for Connecting, Synthesizing, and Transforming, which I definitely want to improve in.  A Level 2 for Solving Problems.  A Level 3 for Theoretical Application and a Level 3 for Acquiring Competencies.

The feedback from my peers helped to make the final presentation a success.  Some of the suggestions were that I animate certain elements to help the message pop a little more.  This final project was a lot of fun and I enjoyed to process and the skills that I attained in that month.  

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I used Illustrator as well as powerpoint to create this infographic.

This presentation was completed in month 3 of the ID&T masters program.  The message conveyed here was informative information about the renewable energy market in the US.  

Challenges that I had in this project were related to learning how to use the program Illustrator.  Creating graphics in this platform is going to be a great benefit in future projects and I look forward to becoming more proficient with Illustrator.