EDLT 6601 Foundations of Instructional Design and Technology
This course provided me with a broader understanding of the field of Instructional Design and Technology (ID&T) and helped me identify potential career paths within it. It also encouraged me to critically analyze my own curriculum and find ways to make my classroom more student-centered rather than teacher-directed. I frequently implement project-based, team-oriented learning environments that foster collaboration, encourage critical thinking, and enhance knowledge retention. Throughout this course, I focused on building a strong foundation in instructional design and technology. I applied key principles and models to guide the development of both formal and informal teaching experiences.
EDLT 6611 Instructional Systems Designs
During this course, I learned how to conduct a Needs Analysis to determine whether instruction is necessary. If training is deemed appropriate, a Learner Analysis follows to identify the performance gaps and better understand the learners' needs. I also learned how to perform a Task Analysis, which involves breaking down the specific tasks employees must complete to perform their jobs effectively. Finally, I gained experience in writing Terminal and Enabling Objectives, which help define the overall instructional goals and outline the detailed steps learners need to achieve them
EDLT 6612 Multimedia Design and Development
This course introduced me to the Adobe Creative Suite, with a particular focus on Photoshop and InDesign. As someone who had never used these tools before, I really appreciated the opportunity to explore their features. I learned how to work with layers and enhance images, which deepened my understanding of key design principles. Although I don't currently use Adobe Suite on a regular basis, I frequently use Canva in my classroom, as it provides similar functionality in a more user-friendly and accessible format.
EDLT 6613 Audiovisual Design and Development
One key takeaway from EDLT 6613 was learning how to incorporate technology into student projects—in particular, by having students create a podcast interview. In this assignment, students would apply the interview techniques they've learned in journalism class, using the five W’s and the H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) to develop thoughtful questions. Instead of completing the traditional written interview for the school paper, students would produce a 3- to 5-minute podcast. This format allows them to practice real-world communication skills while engaging with technology in a creative and meaningful way.
EDLT 6614 Instructional Gaming and Simulations
During this course, I had the opportunity to review and create simulations, which was an eye-opening experience. It introduced me to various scenarios capable of measuring and tracking different data points. I also discovered how some of this data can be adjusted to support specific hypotheses, depending on the learning goals. In addition, I explored the concept of educational gaming and how these strategies can be effectively incorporated into the classroom. As a practical application, I created a digital math escape room to help my students review and prepare for assessments.
EDLT 6616 Integration of Technology into School Curriculum
During this course, I explored how social media can be used effectively in the classroom and experimented with various technology tools, including augmented reality, to enrich the learning experience. I also developed a comprehensive "Start Here" section of this website, which covers essential topics such as digital citizenship, netiquette, social networking, cyberbullying, copyright, fair use, and plagiarism. In addition, I created a "Cool Stuff" section in this website and updated my "Teacher Portfolio" to reflect new insights and tools. Please view these pages on the top menu bar.
EDLT 6646 Multimedia Design Theory
During this course, I had the opportunity to explore theories and principles that guide the effective design of multimedia for education. I chose to focus on the Collaboration Principle in Multimedia, as I frequently aim to incorporate collaborative learning into my classroom. This principle examines how teams operate as information-processing systems, with each member contributing their working memory to expand the group’s overall cognitive capacity while minimizing extraneous cognitive load. This process reflects the concept of positive interdependence, in which team members recognize that their individual success is directly linked to the success of others—personal goals are only achievable when the group’s collective goals are met.
EDLT 6680 Special Topics in Instructional Design and Technology Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) Conference
This course encouraged me to join a professional community and provided the opportunity to attend the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Conference. It was an excellent experience that exposed me to the wide range of opportunities within the field of Instructional Design and Technology. From the outset, I participated in a scavenger hunt that pushed me to engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds and roles across the ID&T field. I also attended multiple presentations, which are included as attachments.