SKILLS MASTERY
Enjoy my showcase of examples for each core competency I have mastered throughout my education as a Learning Designer.
In the section below, each competency is outlined alongside my interpretation of it.
Below that, you will find projects of mine that demonstrate the mastery of the 8 competencies and my rationale explaining the application.
1
"You can communicate clearly in writing and speaking, meeting expectations for content, purpose, organization, audience, and format."
Communication is a vital component involved throughout the entire learning design process. A successful Learning Designer must be effective in communicating ideas with their Client using an agreed upon medium. Professional goals must be clearly defined and aligned with those of the Client.
"You can apply logical processes to formulate clear, defensible ideas based on the analysis of facts and ethical considerations."
It is important to consider ethical reasoning when creating and selecting content such as copyrights. It is responsible for a Learning Designer to include such considerations in each Project Management Plan and Design Document developed during the planning process and throughout the development and implementation.
2
3
"You can use mathematical information, operations, and quantitative analyses to solve problems and inform decision making."
Since data analytics is a key component in quantitative analyses which is essential in making decisions on the effectiveness of a course design.
"You can lead, facilitate, and collaborate with a variety of individuals and diverse teams to achieve organizational objectives."
Being able to work effectively as part of team is vital to success as a Learning Designer. This requires an understanding of leadership and followership as well as conflict management strategies.
4
5
"You can demonstrate in learning theory, curriculum, design techniques, teaching and instruction, and the assessment of learning and the learning process."
It is important for a Learning Designer to be familiar with (in theory and application) learning theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, as well as design thinking models such as ADDIE and Dick and Carey models, as well as formative and summative assessment development.
"You can apply mathematical operations, analytical concepts and operations, and analytic tools to address problems and inform decision making that optimize the teaching and learning process."
It is important to understand how to apply learning analytics data so that you can evaluate the effectiveness of your course design. This can include usability data and/or LMS data analytics. Knowing how to apply data analytics can help you find where intervention is needed to improve the course design.
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7
"You can demonstrate competency in media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods."
It is important to be able to show potential clients a portfolio of multimedia content production that you have and are capable of creating to enhance learning experiences. This includes understanding and following Made to Stick Principles and Mayer's Principles of Multimedia Learning.
"You can lead learning design projects targeted to specific institutional needs, priorities, and strategies."
Project management is a necessary skill for me as a Learning Designer because I must be able to demonstrate proficiency in setting and executing a time table alongside a scope of work to present to my clients with which to meet their individual or institutional needs.
8
1
COMMUNICATION
Some examples of how I have demonstrated mastery of communication throughout my studies in learning design include the multiple design documents I have created, both with a team and individually, client agreements, prototyping and client proposals, as well as usability testing and evaluations. One of the ways in which my team and I communicated was through Discord's voice and text chat and by using an application called Stormboard to share brainstorming ideas remotely. Effective communication is an integral part in all processes and steps of learning design. To be effective in a learning design career, one must be able to communicate clearly with all parties involved in their team and their client.
2
ANALYSES AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Project Management Plans I have created together with a group or individually give rise to considerations involving ethics. They also provide proper documentation for analyses of project goals and working conditions. This includes potential problems and solutions.
3
DATA ANALYTICS
I had an opportunity to create some media and present it in a screencast on the topic of Data Analytics. Data analytics are an important tool in determining effectiveness of course design and development. Many Learning Management Systems employ their own systems of data analytics but it is essential to be able to read and understand them to make improvements to design.
4
LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
Leadership is an important component to Learning Design in that it frames your ability to execute projects effectively and efficiently in a variety of ways with diverse groups of people. I had an opportunity to analyze the way in which I approach such projects and write about my leadership style. During my studies, I had several opportunities to collaborate with teams. Each time we chose a preferred method of meeting and used applications including Google Hangouts and Discord to develop our projects. We worked together, sometimes simultaneously in a shared Google Drive folder.
5
LEARNING THEORY, DESIGN THINKING, ASSESSMENTS AND LEARNING PROCESS
Learning Theory and Design Thinking includes consideration of established design models such as ADDIE and Dick and Carey model, and methods of learning, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. The ADDIE model of design is one which I prefer as it is a simple and effective process of analyzing the problem, designing and developing the learning module, implementing the learning plan, and evaluating its effectiveness. Bloom's taxonomy helps with focusing on lower and higher order thinking skills and defining assessments, both formative and summative.
6
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS TO INFORM DECISION MAKING
The ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative sets of data is invaluable to a successful learning designer because this skill allows designers to evaluate and analyze data in order to make significant improvements to courses for greater successful outcomes and satisfaction among all users including institutions, instructors, and students. During my studies, I created a Google Form to survey a variety of people about their educational preferences. I compiled the data using Google Sheets and organized it into Pivot Tables from which I drew conclusions and presented them in an infographic. Additionally, I conducted Usability Testing for other courses I have developed to make determinations of concerns during the prototyping stage of design.
7
MEDIA PRODUCTION
I have learned how to create a variety of media over the past couple years. Infographics and posters are some my favorites, but I have improved my skills in creating videos and slideshows, and am continuing to add animations and more to my toolbox. Above are some infographics I created that have not been included in the previous competency demonstrations. These were created using the free version of Canva.
8
LEADING TARGETED PROJECTS
Finally, I can lead learning design projects tailored to specific institutional criteria. I can and will work with a client to deliver the best possible teaching and learning experience for their constituents that fits within their prescribed standard. An example of this includes the GED Mathematics Review Course I designed and developed between LMSes Classcraft and Google Classroom as a review course for an alternative school with a demographic of at-risk youth as the learners as well as the ACEs 101 course using the LMS Canvas Instructure as a professional development training for counselors, teachers, and other professionals who work with at-risk youth. You can find both courses presented in greater detail under the MY WORK tab.