This post is provided by guest blogger, Andraya Goodwin, a graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Il., MS in Training and Development program.
Change is the common theme across any industry, and the disruption of instructional design is no exception. So how can we as L&D Professionals, put on our innovation pants, pull out the old box of multi-colored ideas and hit the drawing board so that we can ride the waves of change rather than crash in them?
Here are 3 ways that you can suit up for what’s to come!
Embrace the change
In an article published on Inc.com, Rhett Power (2016) provides some compelling advice on how to eliminate fear and embrace change: Power states to “let change work for us and benefit us, [in order to] be happier with our lives and the process of growth.” Instead of holding on to leary perceptions of new changes, experience the benefits for yourself! Enroll in a MOOC, to learn about the newest editions of Adobe Captivate or download an app and experience learning a new language through microlearning-based training.
Do your research
Select three to five sources that you can rely on to give you solid information regarding the latest instructional design teaching strategies. How can you best reach your evolving learner? Perhaps through m-learning, skills-based training, or social learning? Here are a few of my favorite websites to learn from:
ATD National and Chapter Websites
Never forget your roots!
Simonson, Smaldino, and Zvacek (2015) define instructional design as “ the intellectual technique of the professional who is responsible for the appropriate application of technology to the teaching and learning process” (pg.129).
We have one mission: Make The Material Stick! It is vital to remember the purpose of what we do and to never lose our true essence in the madness that is “disruption,” “transition,” or whatever new name it will be changed to next!
References
https://elearningbrothers.com/
https://elearningindustry.com/
Power, R., (2016). 5 Ways to embrace change at work and in life. Retrieved from URL https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/5-ways-to-embrace-change-at-work-and-in-life.html
Simonson, M, Smaldino, S.,& Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (6th ed.). North Carolina: Information Age Publishing.
USF Training 