Reflections on the Instructional Design

Over the past five weeks this course has helped shape my understanding of the instructional design process as well as what it will mean to become an instructional technologist. As I decided to enter this program, I was lead by my desire to work with education as well as with technology. I want to assist other teachers in the process of designing instruction that will incorporate various instructional methods. This course has given me insight on the process of designing adequate instruction through the text readings, the various Internet readings, and the instructional design project. The instructional design project was the most influential assignment because of the required application of knowledge. For me reading is one learning method but not always the most successful since I tend to be a hands-on learner. The project allowed me to transfer my reading knowledge to a hands-on experience that furthered my understanding. Part of my growing not only came from the project itself but the useful feedback that was provided by Ross. When I was unsure of areas of my project, I knew I could count on the constructive feedback, which would lead me to developing a successful instructional design project. I never knew the instructional design process incorporated so many steps including: a proposal, needs analysis, task analysis, learner analysis, goals and objectives, instructional methods, media, and assessment and formative evaluation. As I completed each step, I believe I grew most during the development of my goals and objectives. I learned the importance of breaking each objective down to ensure students will meet the needed skills for the instruction given. Overall, this course has aided my foundational understanding with the essentials of instructional design. As for instructional design and my future, I believe the instructional design process will be valuable to my future career. As my dreams expand beyond the classroom, my mission will always guide my desire to impact students. While in the future I may not teach students, I want to assist teachers in developing instruction for their classrooms. The instructional design process will help me follow a process that will scrutinize each task, goal, and objective in order to develop instruction that will be successful in reaching the desired outcome. I look forward to continue my journey in the instructional technology program as I know each course will guide me towards my dreams of working as an instructional technologist.