Chapter 24 takes a look at lessons learned from the chapter's author for obtaining a position in instructional design. Take a look at a few of the sources provided for job openings from lesson 1 and search for at least 3 positions that are of interest to you. Describe the general nature of the positions and list the skills required for the job. Do you have these skills?
Director of Instructional Design & Development
General Nature of Position:
This position is for a Director of Instructional desion and Development at the University of Wisconsin-Extension Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learing. The instructional design team supports these online programs offered through 26 different campuses. The director of this team would report to the associate dean and provide leadership, direction, and supervision of the team. This position would manage projects, resources and the budget, as well as guide the team of designers.
Skills Required:
Ø Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in instructional or education design/technology or related field with 5 or more years related instructional design experience or relevant terminal degree with three years related instructional design experience.
Ø 3 or more years of formal people management (5 or more individuals direct reporting) experience in an instructional design, e-learning, or related setting.
Ø Demonstrated skills and experience providing excellent service to internal and external clients/customers.
Ø Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ø Knowledge of learning theories, instructional design theories, instruction systems. Understanding and demonstrated application of sound pedagogy and andragogy instructional design practices.
Ø Demonstrated leadership in working within teams to analyze and improve instructional design.
Ø Willingness and ability to travel to UW System campuses to meet with faculty (statewide travel).
Ø Highly qualified candidates will also possess several of these skills, knowledge, and abilities
Ø Ph.D. in Instructional Design, Educational Technology or related field.
Ø 5 or more years of progressive leadership in higher education.
Ø Supervisory responsibility for 10 or more individuals, including managers.
Ø Record of publications and presentations related to instructional design, education, learning technology or other related fields.
Ø Knowledge of trends in higher education, particularly those related to online education that may have an impact on course development. Some examples include: 508 ADA compliance, technology innovations, and policy issues.
Do I have these skills:
I certainly would not be considered under the highly qualified section. I do not have my Ph.D or the number of years of experience desired. Under the other qualifications I believe that I do possess written and verbal skills, and knowledge of learning theories, instructional design theories. I also have experience working with teams.
Instructional Technologist Michigan State
General Nature of Position
This position is for an Instructional Technologist at Michigan State University. This position works with faculty, designers, programmers and students to develop online courseware for classes. This position will also assist with evaluation and testing of emerging technologies in teaching.
Skills Required:
Ø A bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, digital media art, information systems or educational technology..
Ø 1 to 3 years of experience in web design, instructional design, information architecture design, or project management.
Ø Preferred master’s degree in related fields
Ø Communication skills and the ability to work well with a team.
Ø Instructional design background and experience with learning management systems.
Do I have these skills:
Once again I am lacking in the area of experience. I do have a bachelor’s degree in education and strong communication skills. I also have experience working with a team. However my lack of hands on experience in web design and educational technology would be difficult to overcome if applying for this position.
Instructional Technologist Regent University
General Nature of Position
This position is for a full time instructional technologist at Regent University. This person would train and assist the faculty in the School of Communication and the Arts to integrate learning technologies into course curriculum. This person must also support the vision and values of Regent University and subscribe to statement of Christian faith.
Skills Required:
Ø Graduate degree in Instructional Technology or related field. A Bachelor’s degree with three to five years of experience may be considered.
Ø Knowledge of media technology and instructional design theory; experience and competence with media development tools and course/learning management systems; and strong communication skills (interpersonal, group and public speaking) are required.
Ø Experience in project management; knowledge of and experience working in the visual arts; and knowledge of current best practices in learning theory, delivery models, technology tools, infrastructure, quality control and metrics are strongly preferred.
Do I have these skills:
I will soon hold a graduate degree in a related field and I have some knowledge of instructional design theory. As with the other positions I lack experience in the field which may put me below other candidates. I believe I have good communication skills, and work will with others. I also don’t mind public speaking which is also a requirement.
- Remember that the field of instructional/educational technology is not just focused on education, but on business and industry as well. Look at the resources provided on page 258 in chapter 25 and select one of these links and complete the self-assessment. What did you learn about yourself from the assessment?
I worked through the self-assessment at www.careeronestop.org . I thought it was interesting how I matched many different careers in education. Some examples given to me as a possible match were jobs such as a teacher, graduate teaching assistant and adult education all of these things interest me. Some of the non-teaching areas that showed up were a technical writer and a zoologist. I may have some basic skills that match these professions, but I don’t imagine that I would actually be qualified to apply for such positions.
I have copied and pasted some of the top jobs listed in my skills profile:
| Occupation | Matched Skills |
| | 50.0% ( 9 of 18 skills) |
| | 50.0% ( 9 of 18 skills) |
| | 50.0% ( 7 of 14 skills) |
| | 47.6% ( 10 of 21 skills) |
| | 42.1% ( 8 of 19 skills) |
| | 38.1% ( 8 of 21 skills) |
| | 37.5% ( 9 of 24 skills) |
This was a good exercise because I rarely see myself outside the world of education. It helps you to think outside the box when it comes to your profession.
- Chapter 26 lists several websites for professional organizations and websites for professional publications. Visit 2-3 websites for professional organizations and 2-3 websites for the professional publications and address the following:
Professional Organization: Academy of Human Resource Development
Mission:
The Academy was formed to encourage systematic study of human resource development theories, processes, and practices; to disseminate information about HRD; to encourage the application of HRD research findings; and to provide opportunities for social interaction among individuals with scholarly and professional interests in HRD from multiple disciplines and from across the globe.
Cost: 235.00 (135.00 student)
Publications:
· Human Resource Development Review
· Human Resource Development Quarterly
· Human Resource Development International
· Advances in Developing Human Resources
Conference Meeting:
Annual conference Feb. 29-March 4th Denver Colorado.
Other conferences in Europe and Asia
Opportunities for professional development
Offers webinars on different areas.
Publishing opportunities
Professional organizations: American Educational Research Association:
Mission
The American Educational Research Association (AERA), a national research society, strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.
Cost of membership $150.00 (graduate student 40.00
Publications
· American Education Research Journal
· Educational Researcher
· Review of Educational Research
· Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics
· Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis
· Annual Meetings 2011 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada in April
Opportunities for professional development: The conferences appear to offer professional development.
Professional Publications: American Educational Research Journal
Focus: This publication reports on empirical and theoretical studies in education.
Submission guidelines: there are guidelines available for online submissions and submissions in print on their website. www.aera.net All manuscripts submitted to AERA journals are managed through ScholarOne’s Manuscript Central system.
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Online: yes
Professional Publications: Educational Researcher
Focus: Scholarly articles for educational researchers from several areas or disciplines
Submission guidelines: All submission guidelines are available on their website. All manuscripts submitted are done through ScholarOne’s Manuscript Central system.
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Online: Yes
How is the journal and organization useful to you and your career? Were you aware of the organizations/journals that you researched?
I was not aware of the large amounts of organizations that were available. I believe these organizations could be useful to me and my career by providing resources, networking and staying current in the field. The journals also can provide needed information for my career. Staying current is a key to staying relevant in any position. These organizations and publications help me stay focused, inspired and educated in my chosen profession.
- Chapter 27 looks at competencies for instructional design and technology professionals. If you were responsible for identifying the domains, competencies, and performance statements for a performance technologist, what would they include and why?
Domains for a performance technologist would include:
· Design
· Development
· Utilization
· Management
· Evaluation
· And I would add Ethics as a domain as well (table 27.6)
I chose these because they seem to have a broad enough scope to meet the changing needs of the profession of a performance technologist.
The competencies discussed for a performance technologist (table 27.6):
1. Focus on results
2. Looks at situations systematically and consider larger context
3. Add value to the work in how you do it and through doing it
4. Collaborate with partners, clients and experts
5. Assess the needs and opportunities systematically
6. Analyze the work and work place systematically
7. Design the requirements of the solution systematically
8. Design the development of the solution and all its elements
9. Be systematic in the implementation of the solution
10. Be systematic in the evaluation and results process
Performance Statement: Using the textbook as my guide: a performance technologist should be able to systematically analyze and utilize technology to improve human performance.
