When embarking on my journey of learning the foundations of Instructional Design, I had limited knowledge about the career field. I initially stated, "My personal definition of learning design is a focus in education that puts emphasis on design and learning cohesively to enhance environments and programs through creativity, knowledge, and skills to design plans for equitable and effective learning." I would now add to this definition that learning design includes knowledge of various frameworks and learning theories for supporting learners through their experiences. Additionally, I would add the word technology to my definition as I now realize what an important role technology plays in learning design.
My new definition would state "a focus on teaching and learning that puts an emphasis on designing creatively and cohesively with others using various frameworks, learning theories and technologies to support an effective learning experience that help enhance any environment."
My goal is to become a Learning and Development Specialist for a corporate company where I can use my knowledge in the Instructional Design field to adjust and create programs that support the individual employee experience. I intend to be responsible for developing new and exciting training programs that help the individual to have a training plan that is suited to them. I wish to collaborate with a team to use all of our knowledge to be successful with our goal.
My Foundations of Instructional Design course has been fundamental to supporting my professional journey and career goals. It has supported me in understanding that I truly want to continue on this path to a career in the Instructional Design field after being a retail store manager for over seven years. The knowledge that I have gained about creating my personal brand, learning theories, learning frameworks, and learner analysis has provided me with insight into the educational space of design learning. The most impactful lessons for me were about IBSTPI Instructional Design Standards as well as the Learner Analysis, Persona and Experience Map.
The IBSTPI competencies showed me how the industry expectations and professional standards align to provide the goals for effective instruction. I now understand that not only is this a guide for the job requirements, but also for continued professional development within the field. After doing an activity about job search, I can clearly define which areas I need to continue to develop to be successful when I begin my job search. Many of the requirements for my role are familiar to me in my role as a store manager, such as teaching, training, development, facilitating, coaching and collaboration. However, I will continue to work on gaining feedback when practicing design skills with LMS platforms, ADDIE and/or SAM methods and Articulate Storyline, for example.
The Learner Analysis, Persona and Experience Map was an eye-opening assignment as I was not aware that something like this existed. I personally loved the simulation and reflection activity connected to this assignment as it allowed for true understanding of the topic. The most impactful reading for me that connected to this lesson was from
Conducting a Learning Analysis (Conducting a Learner Analysis (edtechbooks.org). The article truly helped me to fully understand the entire components of the learner analysis process. I also appreciated learning more about the ethical aspect of learning design and how that plays a role in learning design as well. As someone going into the development space, I would benefit from creating and/or using learner experience maps to further understand individual needs, wants and motivations to be successful with their training.
Overall, I now have a clearer definition for learning design as well as the knowledge and skills to be successful in my future endeavor to be a Learning and Development Specialist. I know now that I need to continue to develop my skills specifically with design programs and learn more about how education plays a role in teaching and learning in learning design.
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