My EDTECH 503 folder on Google Docs.
The following is an excerpt from my synthesis paper written for my EDTECH 503 course:
The following is an excerpt from my synthesis paper written for my EDTECH 503 course:
Instructional design is like planning for a wedding. In order to plan a great wedding, one must plan, research, and get feedback. A wedding not only has to be well-planned and researched in advance, but it also has to be visually appealing and maintain the attention of the audience. As an instructional designer, one must research extensively and plan in great detail every aspect and possibility in relation to the instructional purpose. The quality of the instructional design is evident when the design is put to use in a real-world setting. For a wedding, one must research to find the best caterer and florist and plan for back-up plans in case someone cannot fulfill their duty. A great, smooth, and entertaining wedding is the ultimate result of effective planning and design.
After learning about the research and process of instructional design within this course, I think back on staff development and other such activities in which someone had to design that specific instruction. I recall specific instructional strategies used and how well the training sessions met the instructional goal. I have learned about the actual process and elements that are essential for effective instructional design, which have reminded me of my own experiences of being on the receiving end of the instruction. At first, I found it difficult to place myself in the position of the instructional designer, because I am a student and a teacher. An instructional designer is the person who only designs the instruction for the instructor and learners. The teacher, instructor, or trainer uses the material and resources made by the instructional designer to instruct the learners. Therefore, this course has changed my mindset and forced me to become the instructional designer and consider instruction from the new perspective.
I think that the design process relates to my current profession of educating high school students about Spanish, especially in regards to lesson planning and instructional strategies. Teachers must plan and design instruction to promote effective and successful learning each day. They must consider the learning context and create or search for supplementary resources and materials. Educators also must perform their duties to the best of their ability in order to meet the content and instructional standards and the professional requirements. As a teacher, one not only designs the instruction but also conducts the actual instruction in order to teach their students essential knowledge and skills.
Regarding my future professional work in the field of educational technology, I initially plan to complete my Master’s degree in Educational Technology and utilize my growing knowledge in order to incorporate technology into my classroom. As I am completing the requirements for my graduate program, I will be using my knowledge of educational technology to enhance staff development and networking activities.
