My first artifact is the self-directed learning assignment from MDDE 610. This was an individual assignment that was very open ended, in that we were able to choose any focus in any discipline. The assignment involved dedicating some time to learn something of interest to us and then making a presentation of our learning journey. I chose this assignment because it was my most enjoyable assignment in the MDDE program, and I found it to be of value lasting beyond the confines of the class and the program. Through the experience I gained self-confidence in my abilities as an instructional designer, and self-realization of my bias towards using new technology and how that might affect my students. For my assignment I chose to learn how to use Rise 360, as I had recently lost a student work opportunity because I didn’t have technical skills relating to that program, and upon searching instructional designer job listings it seemed to be a popular choice for corporate instructional designer jobs. After learning how to use the program I presented my learning journey as a module or mini-course in Rise 360 and felt quite accomplished when my instructor asked if they could use it in a work presentation for some clients that were considering using the software.
Comments
Meghan Hann
20 September 2023, 4:47 PM
Kim- I am not familiar with Rise 360, but I will check it out. Having tech-savvy is so important, not just in education. I like that you link our learning with MDDE to other career avenues. The Learning process shares your steps well and how you applied them. I think adding more of the emotions that you experienced might help add to your personal journey. The text under the screenshot is very small and light- can that be made clearer or removed?
Your finished video is fab and so nice when teachers praise and ask to borrow to showcase the skills.
Tamara O'Brien
21 September 2023, 10:45 AM
Kim,
I agree with what Meghan has written here as I had similar thoughts while reading your post. I can clearly see how you have connected the competencies to your learning experience as well. One thing that I considered as well is that as secondary school teachers, we ask students to undergo similar experiences all of the time. Teaching digital literacy skills has become an essential part of teaching at the level that we do. I love that you note the importance of contextualizing assignments for students as well. You have written about such a relevant topic. There are many avenues for reflection and understanding here!
Regarding this artefact, my main suggestion at this time is to add "more" - You have written about 500 words in this post and when I checked the requirements it says we need about 1500-2000 words. This is something I will need to double-check on my own as well.
Tamara
K Hansen
25 September 2023, 10:22 AM
Thanks Tamara, I hadn't noticed the word count, and will adjust to go deeper and include more reflection.
BonnieM
25 September 2023, 3:06 PM
You have made a good start on artifact one. You used nice images, and the use of the video makes your page interesting.
Introduction
The introduction should not have sub-competencies as you are introducing your artifact, which is not critically reflective.
Consider reframing any statements that are vague. Example
In this way, I was able to recognize the wider implications of specific knowledge (1.9), namely that knowledge of instructional design technologies are important for employment in many regards.
In what way? Which instructional design technology? How is this technology important?
Mock-up example: During the development of my learning object (What you did), I recognized the pros and cons of Rise 360 (what you used and learned) and came to recognize my strengths as an instructional designer (reflection and personal growth).
In the learning Process.
In this part of the artifact, it is important to try and create flow by connecting it to your introduction by briefly - by introducing your topic again. This will create a narrative flow.
In MDDE 610 I decided to learn how to use Rise 360 and use my learning journey as the content for the presentation. One of the major drawbacks to using Rise 360 is its cost. How is this a hindrance in your decision-making? Give an example-such as a student or could not afford…..etc.
The software is subscription-based and is quite expensive, even for an individual learner such as me. The cheapest paid plan is over $500 USD. (How could this be a hindrance for people? For example, you need to learn it for a job promotion, but it's too expensive to buy for a long period of time.) Perhaps this might prevent other designers from learning it. Is this an issue with some software overall? What aspects of deeper learning might occur from this experience regarding software choice and perhaps budgets?
Overall you are on the right track and have focused on specific examples to reflect your learning.. Consider going deeper into your learning experience (beyond the technical) and how the problems you encounter were issues for you and could be issues for DE as a whole.
Nice start!
Bonnie
Tamara O'Brien
30 September 2023, 10:28 AM
Kim,
You have certainly added a great deal to your response - this has a lot more "meat" on its bones. When I was reading through I can see how your connected your learning to the sub-competencies. I noted that you can also potentially add sub-competency 1.2 as it would apply to your description of the various aspects related to your concerns about student technology skills in the “lifelong learning” section. One question I had when I was reading through was "what companies do use Rise 360?" if it costs so much... did this come up in your research? You mention that it was a relevant software in a job opportunity and your instructor had some clients interested, however I had never heard of it and do not know any other teachers using it. What audience is the software meant for that makes it applicable? I do not know if this information will help with your response or not, it was just something I was thinking about when I read though it a second time.
Tamara
K Hansen
02 October 2023, 9:29 AM
[Updated: 02 October 2023, 9:31 AM]
Thank you and I will look at adding a few more subcompetencies!
Generally companies that are using Rise 360 or its related programs (Storyline and Articulate are from the same suite of software only with different abilities in the design process) are private/for-profit companies that either need to create training materials for staff or are selling distance education courses in a variety of subjects, such as self-development or professional-development. I'm including a screenshot for you of a few of the positions currently posted on Indeed. The cost of the program is probably too prohibitive for public/non-profit enterprise. The benefit of the software is you don't need coding knowledge, so really anyone with some basic instructional design knowledge could design beautiful courses.
Tamara O'Brien
04 October 2023, 12:52 PM
This makes a lot more sense now. Knowing this background information also gives some clarity as to why you chose this software for your assignment and what you could potentially do with this in the field in the future.
I see you have added more specific details again in your last edit of this page. It looks good! I like that you added some of the details about the features and media application. I'm starting to think maybe I should try this software as my next "thing to learn." Interesting!
I am sort of in the same boat as you with the sub-competencies (that Bonnie notes) - I know that there are probably more to add but I'm having a hard time weaving more into my response too. I think you've done a really good job adding what you have here, and perhaps Bonnie will have more ideas on where you can add more sub competencies if she can spot places.
Tamara
BonnieM
01 October 2023, 1:16 PM
Hello Kimberly,
You have made some excellent improvements to artifact 1. Here are some further areas for improvement.
Introduction- is great. No revisions are necessary.
The learning process
Considering the ever-widening array of technology and subscription-based services that are available it has become near impossible for learners and potential employees to keep up with the trends in educational technology (1.9). Personalize and reframe this statement to represent your learning. As I consider the ……. and potential employees such as myself.
In a sense, I was problem-solving from the start (1.1, 1.4). Can you explain this concept- in regard to the choices you made… For example. To accomplish my goals of upgrading my skills, I chose a costly software such as Rise 365 rather than choosing to focus on Google, which is free and requires that I start problem-solving from the beginning of the assignment (1.9, 3.2).
Consider merging paragraphs two and 3.
P4. Give examples of one or two tools you used and what you learned from them.
Overall, excellent work, and you are almost there. When you tell me what you did and how you applied it to your students, you also need to identify what you learned. Also, there are a few more sub-competencies that might appear. Your conclusion is also nicely done.
Great job
Bonnie
K Hansen
04 October 2023, 1:19 PM
Thank you for all the great suggestions, I implemented all but one. I don't think it is relevant to mention Google software because it had nothing to do with the assignment. It was merely to learn something you had been wanting to learn, and I wanted to learn this software, Rise 360. Google never came into the equation! I hope that makes sense.
Meghan Hann
03 October 2023, 7:58 PM
Kim, You have nicely extended yourself and added many more details and processes. From an aesthetic perspective writing out the competencies helps identify and clarify what you are completing, but it does take up a large portion of the page. Wondering if you could have it be retractable. Love that you also found ways for this experience to inform your teaching practice and gain insights into student engagement.