Week 11 Reflection

Week 11 Reflection

          After reading the last three chapters on instructional design and technology throughout business, p-12 education, and higher education I noticed a couple similarities with the different contexts.  I of course relate most with the p-12 education context but could easily see similarities in all three. 

For success, working together as a team is imperative in all three areas.  They discuss the importance of roles when working in the business world as an instructional designer(s).  Designating responsibilities or positions so that the job can be done successfully is key.  Whether you are the leader or a member of the team, the overall goal cannot be accomplished without everyone doing their part.  In an educational setting we are constantly working as teams to get the job done.  Whether we are collaborating with our instructional technologists on how to use a new piece of technology or working with our colleagues on coming up with ideas on how to incorporate the technology into a lesson, we are working together as a team.  My school has not received any new gadgets really since I started, but coming into a room with a SmartBoard, I needed all the guidance I could get.  I took professional development from our districts instructional technologists and teachers on how to use the technology to its fullest potential and since the day I started up to today I am constantly sharing and stealing ideas from my colleagues on using the SmartBoard.  If the overall all outcome in all three areas is to successfully reach a goal working as a team will get you there.  As they say two heads are better than one.

          Another common theme in all three areas is the constant change.  With technology always changing and improving and initiatives and programs being added all areas have to adjust appropriately.  The business world has gone through everything from cut backs to new and improved technology.  Having the ability to handle these changes properly will ensure their success.  If “better, faster, cheaper” is the new phrase, instructional designers have to prototype, deliver training, evaluate, and research technology to make sure the business is up to date and running smoothly and efficiently.  Looking at education, we are constantly given new initiatives to follow or programs to incorporate.  As educators and instructional designers/technologists we need to be flexible and open to change.  Here working as a team also comes into play when a new program is introduced working together to understand, explore, and use it will help everyone adjust to the new change.  Lastly, we all work very hard to make sure our clients or students are receiving the best technology, training, and education possible.