Instructional Design and Learning

Effective project management, particularly for instructional design (ID) projects, hinges on accurate cost estimation and strategic resource allocation.  This week’s focus on estimating costs and scheduling resources provided valuable insights into overcoming the challenges of determining activity durations and resource needs.  Below, I explore two resources that offer practical methodologies for managing these challenges and how they can be applied to ID projects. Resource 1: Agile Estimation Techniques by Michele Sliger Agile Estimation Techniques Sliger (2012) introduces two innovative approaches for estimation: Planning Poker and Affinity Grouping.  These techniques deviate from traditional bottom-up methods by emphasizing gross-level estimation through iterative top-down processes.  Planning Poker utilizes the Fibonacci sequence for relative estimation, fostering team consensus on task complexity without relying on time-based units.  Affinity Grouping a...

Creating an accurate project schedule and estimating activity duration are essential to effective project management.  However, these tasks often have resource constraints, conflicting priorities, and unforeseen delays. This week, I explored resources that provide tools and advice for managing these complexities.  Below, I share two (2) resources that instructional designers can use to effectively plan project schedules, budgets, and task breakdowns. 1. Smartsheet: Project Scheduling and Planning Templates Smartsheet (n.d.) offers a variety of customizable project scheduling templates, including Gantt charts, task trackers, and resource allocation tools.  These templates help project managers organize tasks, set timelines, and track progress.  Smartsheet also integrates with other tools, such as Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace, making it versatile for instructional design teams that rely on multiple platforms. Evaluation : One of the most helpful features of Sm...

Effective communication is essential in project management, as it shapes how information is received and understood among team members, directly impacting project cohesion and outcomes (Project Management Institute [PMI], 2021).  The multimedia program, The Art of Effective Communication (Walden University, LLC, n.d.), demonstrates how the same message delivered in different modalities—written text, audio, and video—can lead to various interpretations, emphasizing that how a message is communicated can be as significant as the message itself. Interpretation Across Modalities Written Text : The message appeared formal and straightforward, relying solely on word choice and punctuation to convey meaning.  It needed more context with vocal tone and body language, leaving room for ambiguity, as readers might project their own interpretations onto the text (PMI, 2021). Audio : Hearing the message in audio form added vocal elements, such as tone, pitch, and pace.  These auditor...

Reflecting on past projects through a post-mortem analysis is crucial for identifying best practices and learning from challenges.  A recent project that stands out is my work as the Education Director and lead Curriculum Developer for the Medical Device Integration Office (MDIO), where I developed online training modules to teach Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs) and Health Technology Management (HTM) personnel to manage issues with medical devices integrated into the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) electronic health record (EHR) system, MHS GENESIS. Project Overview Since 2022, I have used the ADDIE model to create four online training modules that range from basic to advanced concepts in medical device integration.  The ADDIE model, a widely used instructional design framework, consists of five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (Nichols Hess & Greer, 2016).  This model provides a systematic approach, ensuring eac...

  Plagiarism Detection and Prevention in Online Learning In the era of digital learning, where online resources are abundant, maintaining academic integrity is more crucial than ever.  The convenience of online platforms also opens doors to dishonest practices like plagiarism and cheating, which can compromise the quality of education.  This underscores the need for instructors to be vigilant and well-equipped with effective tools and strategies to combat plagiarism. Plagiarism Detection Software Various tools are available to help online instructors detect plagiarism.  One of the most widely used tools is Turnitin , which compares student submissions against a vast database of academic papers, websites, and other resources.  Similarly, Grammarly offers built-in plagiarism detection features as part of its grammar-checking services, while iThenticate is particularly useful in academic publishing for research integrity (Zimba & Gasparyan, 2021). ...

  The Impact of Technology and Multimedia on Online Learning Technology and multimedia significantly shape the learning experience in online learning environments by enhancing engagement, interactivity, and accessibility.  As a student and instructional designer in EDUC 6135, I worked with various course management systems and tools that demonstrated the potential of technology to make online courses more dynamic and student-centered. The Impact of Technology and Multimedia Integrating technology and multimedia in online learning environments can significantly enrich the educational experience.  According to Boettcher and Conrad (2016), multimedia elements such as videos, simulations, and interactive activities provide students multiple ways to engage with course content.  This diversity is a testament to our understanding and consideration of diverse learning styles, opening exciting possibilities for deeper understanding and retention of information. Mayer ...