Friday, March 4, 2011

Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at IT

Chapter 24:  Getting an Instructional Design Position
Job 1:  Instructional Designer
Description:
The Instructional Designer is responsible for working with faculty in the design, development and delivery of technology-based educational media and interactive learning experiences for the online and hybrid instruction for the graduate and undergraduate accelerated programs.
Required Skills:
 •    Knowledge of adult learning theories, assessment, and evaluation in course design and development, distance learning, course development and training
•    Ability to work as a team, lead small groups, and manage projects
•    Fluency in information technologies and social media
•    Possess an understanding of new media technology (online course management tools, web 2.0 applications, and multi-media tools).
•    Ability to use a variety of distance education technologies, including major learning management systems (e.g. Blackboard, Moodle), social media, office and multimedia software
•    Ability to plan, manage, produce, direct, implement and evaluate on-line course production
•    Ability to work with instructors from a wide range of academic cultures and disciplines
•    Excellent written and oral interpersonal and presentation communication skills
•    Ability to establish goals, meet deadlines, organize work flow and projects
•    Effective teamwork, organizational, and time management skills
My skills:  Unfortunately, my current work experience is mostly classroom teaching.  There have been times that the campus administrators gave faculty and staff the opportunity to get more involved in things such as campus improvement plans and curriculum mapping,  I am still lacking much of the working knowledge and experience with technology that is required.  Through my graduate coursework, however, I hope to gain more knowledge and work experience with much of the current technology available.
Job 2:  Senior Instructional Technology Consultant
Description:
The Senior Instructional Technology Consultant (2) (ITC) is an integral part of the instructional design and development team that collaborates with faculty to design, develop and implement effective instruction.  The Senior Instructional Technology Consultant (2) will provide support for the instructional design cycle of clarifying instructional objectives.  This position will design, develop and implement instructional strategies.  In addition, this position will locate, recommend and develop curricular materials.  The Senior Instructional Technology Consultant (2) will select appropriate technology tools and assess the effectiveness of the instructional strategies and/or technology tools.
Required Skills:
·  Master’s degree in Educational Technology and/or Human-Computer Interaction, a graduate certificate in online Learning/Educational Technology, or substantial experience in designing online learning environments, including: two or more years of experience in design and layout of instructional material in an online environment.
·  Expertise in at least two multimedia production tools and broad mid-range skills in a variety of information/instructional technologies.
·  Excellent interpersonal and group communication skills.
·  Ability to supervise part-time staff and student workers.
·  Ability to spend extended periods standing, sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, and routinely lifting up to 25 pounds. 
·  Ability to read, have visual acuity, color vision, hand-eye coordination and motor skills sufficient enough to use a computer, copy machine and other office equipment.
My skills:
I am currently working on my Master’s degree but lack the two-years of experience.  My skills in all multimedia production tools are mid-range, not yet at expertise level.  The rest of the skills required I believe I have.
Job 3: INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
Description:
Provide instructional design services to faculty who wish to utilize technology for delivery of course content, including but not limited to online course materials. Design, develop and programs instructional interactive applications to be delivered via Web, CDRom, and/or DVD to enhance teaching and learning. Work with Training Manager to design, develop, and facilitate workshops for faculty on a variety of instructional web course development, management, and delivery topics. Assist faculty in curriculum planning, developing effective multisensory instructional strategies, and assessment of these materials. 
Required Skills:
-Knowledge and experience with computers, digital media equipment and software (scanners, audio recording and editing, Flash, Photoshop, etc.), and Web and multimedia development tools (such as Dreamweaver ).
-Ability to communicate technical and non-technical information effectively, verbally and in writing.
-Ability to initiate and carry out a project and to work collaboratively to accomplish tasks.
-Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work with faculty one-on-one in consultation and with groups in workshops and other
-Experience applying a systematic instructional design process to develop instruction.
-Knowledge and experience with a learning management system, preferably Moodle
-Ability to remain flexible, solve problems and manage multiple projects/responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.
-Ability to learn quickly new software, equipment and web.  Must possess troubleshooting skills.
-Proficiency in the use of Windows and MAC operating systems as well as Microsoft Office Suite and other software packages. 
My skills:
I have experience working with various technology devices and equipment.  I have good communication skills, verbal and written.  I love to initiate projects and see the through.  However, I do not have experience with Moodle or Mac.  I feel pretty confident about the other requirements.
Chapter 25:  Getting a Job in the Business and Industry
I self-assessed my skills using this website, and I realized that there are so many things to consider when applying for a job.  It definitely makes me want to go and volunteer at the campus and/or city library.  Also, I feel like I need to keep up with all the latest technology used at school and in business.  I need to develop a plan of action as to how I will acquire and document all this experience that commonly required by positions in the field of instructional technology and design.

Chapter 26: Professional Organizations and Publications in IDT
Professional Organizations:
1.      American Society for Training and Development
Our mission: Empower professionals to develop knowledge and skills successfully.

Membership Fees: 
12-month individual         $199
*Add $25 for Canada/Mexico; add $70 all other countries.

24-month individual       $349
*Save $40; above international rates apply.

Student 12-month individual      $59
*Must be registered for at least 12 credit hours to qualify. Students outside the U.S. receive e-memberships. Click here or view the ASTD Student Membership Flyer more information.
Senior 12-month individual      $90
Seniors outside the U.S. receive e-memberships. International (e-Membership)     $169
Publications:
T+D is ASTD's monthly magazine covering best practices, emerging technologies and trends, and a range of issues relevant to workplace learning professionals


Conferences:
ASTD 2011 International Conference & Exposition

May 22-25, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Held each spring, this premier event for workplace learning and performance professionals welcomes attendees from more than 70 countries.
**Just Added** May 21 - Orlando, FL - Special One-day pre-conference session at the ASTD 2011 International Conference and Exposition 
Based on the hot-selling book of the same name, this conference offers an experiential approach to transforming “telling” into activities that result in long-term retention and behavior change. Despite the irreverent title, this conference tackles universal and persistent questions: How do learners learn? Why do learners learn? How do you make sure that learning sticks?

February 2 - 4, 2011
San Jose, CA
ASTD's TechKnowledge conference welcomes more than 1,200 people who focus their daily attention on the design and delivery, management and strategy of technology and learning. They will come together alongside 70 exhibitors in the learning technology space to learn, network, and move people forward through the application of learning and technology.
The Learning Transfer Conference

April 7-8, 2011
Chicago, Illinois
The Learning Transfer Conference is a ten week program that includes an interactive 1½ day workshop in which you will learn to apply the Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning to dramatically improve the business impact of your training and development efforts.
Professional Development:

ASTD Online Education Programs
ASTD Online Certificate Programs and Workshops
Our online programs offer you world-class, industry-leading information in the comfort of your own office.
2.       Association for Educational Communications and Technology
AECT Mission Statement:
The mission of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology is to provide international leadership by promoting scholarship and best practices in the creation, use, and management of technologies for effective teaching and learning in a wide range of settings
Membership Fees:   
Corporate_membership  $400.00                                 New_regular_membership  $125.00 New_regular_membership_  $170.00      New_regular_membership_(international)  $125.00 New_regular_membership_(international,_includes_ETR&D)  $170.00                                New_retired_membership  $60.00        New_retired_membership_(international)  $60.00    New_student_membership  $75.00        New_student_membership_(international)  $75.00  
Publications:
Educational Technology Research and Development


A bi-monthly publication of the Association for Educational Communications & Technology
Editor-in-Chief: Michael Hannafin; J.M. Spector
ISSN: 1042-1629 (print version)
ISSN: 1556-6501 (electronic version)
Journal no. 11423
Springer US
  * Author Guidelines and Submissions
  * For member access to the current issues published by Springer, click on the 'Member Login' button.
Educational Technology Research and Development is the only scholarly journal in the field focusing entirely on research and development in educational technology.
Conferences:
2011 AECT International Convention
'Celebrate 3.0: Design.Learn.Community'

November 8-12, 2011
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Jacksonville, Florida
 
Super EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION!
Members and Nonmembers, register before April 9th  and you can save $150.00 from the onsite registration.
We are looking
 forward to another great convention in Jacksonville, Florida so take advantage of the super early-bird convention and register early.
 



Professional Development:
Other than the educational partners, such as Virginia Tech and University of Georgia,  and the conferences and meetings offered throughout the year, I could not find specific information about professional development.

Professional Publications:
1.     Educational Technology Review
 
Focus/Goals:
The purpose of this exchange should result in the growth of ideas and practical solutions that can contribute toward the improvement of education and learning through information technology.
Submission Guidelines:
Material must be original, scientifically accurate, and in good form editorially. The manuscript should be informative, summarizing the basic facts and conclusions, and maintaining a coherence and unity of thought.
Tutorial or how-to-do-it articles should preferably include a section on evaluation. Controversial topics should be treated in a factually sound and reasonably unbiased manner.
The format of headings, tables, figures, citations, references, and other details should follow the (APA) style as described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition, available from APA, 750 1st St., NE, Washington, DC 20002 USA.
Peer reviewed? :
Yes.  The journal’s review policy states:
            All AACE journal manuscripts are peer-reviewed by at least two reviewers, and usually three    reviewers, of the journal's international Editorial Review Board of experts in fields specifically matching the   journal topics. ( http://www.aace.org/reviewpolicy.htm )
Online? :
Yes.  According to the website:
            The EdITLib Digital Library is a valuable online resource on the latest research, developments, and applications related to all aspects of Educational Technology and E-Learning. The Digital Library includes all AACE journals and conference proceedings.

2.     IRRODL
Focus/Goals:
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning (www.irrodl.org) is a refereed, open access e-journal that disseminates original research, theory, and best practice in open and distance learning worldwide. IRRODL is available free-of-charge to anyone with access to the Internet.
Submission Guidelines:
Authors submit their manuscripts online by registering with this journal, logging in, clicking the Author and Start a new submission links, and following the screen instructions through a five-step submission process.
Submission topics must relate to open or distance learning and may be placed in the Research Articles section or a Notes section. Research articles, including all references, tables, and figures, should be 3,500-5,000 words and should not exceed 7,000 words. Submissions that significantly exceed this limit will not be accepted for review. Tables and figures are encouraged, and they should be placed within the text, not at the end.
Peer reviewed? :
Yes.  According to the peer review process:
All submissions to the Research Articles section of The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning (www.irrodl.org) undergo peer review by a minimum of two PhD-prepared reviewers. Typically, authors receive the first round of opinions on their submission in two to three months, pending the availability of qualified peer reviewers. http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/about/editorialPolicies#peerReviewProcess
Online? :
Yes.  It is an e-journal with an Open Access Policy:
Authors retain copyright of their work. However, a condition for publication is that the work be distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial, Non-Derivatives 3.0 License. Readers are free to print, share, and distribute the work as long as they respect the retained rights of the author. IRRODL retains the exclusive right for commercial publication and distribution. Articles submitted for review or published by IRRODL cannot be published in other journals without the permission of the authors and of IRRODL.
Organizations and journals in my career:
            I believe both are extremely useful.  In reality, anyone desiring to have professional growth in their careers would greatly benefit from these tools, especially now that so many, I if not all, are available at the click of a mouse.  I would be wise to take advantage of these resources in my career as a media specialist.

Chapter 27:  Competencies for IDT Professionals
Performance technologist
Domain I:  Resources
        A. Determine areas of need for technology resources.
        B. Determine most effective use of technology resources currently available.
Domain II:  Performance
        A. Ability to trouble-shoot.
        B. Ability to problem-solve.
        C. Working knowledge of technology in place.
Domain 3:  Professional Growth
        A. Participate in workshops and training relevant to improving job functions and staying current.
        B. Offer regular training to staff in the area of technology.
I believe these areas are important in education and vital to the success of our campus goals.  It is expected of everyone on our team--administrators, faculty, assistants, and everyone else involved.

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