LDT501 Discussion post for Module 3

 

I searched Indeed.com and found several job postings for instructional/curriculum designers, educational technologists, and related roles.  I didn't really find a position that would be a good fit for me.  So I'm trying to make this sort of position align with my goals,  an "Instructional Designer" on Indeed.com with Amazon. This position involves working with subject matter experts to design and develop "solutions you (to) enable improved employee experience, shorten lead times to proficiency, and provide performance support at the point of need. This includes developing both self-directed and instructor-led training interventions."

Based on these responsibilities, the following knowledge and skills are necessary for this positions: (The following from the Job Post)

•  Knowledge of instructional design methodologies including but not limited to: ADDIE model, eLearning blueprint, design thinking, and interactive learning experiences.
• 3+ years of work experience conducting a training needs analysis to identify the core problem to be solved in order to achieve desired business results.
• 2+ years of work experience successfully designing and developing interactive learning solutions for global teams.
• 3+ years of work experience authoring effective learning objectives.
• 3+ years of work experience developing self-paced eLearning curricula, storyboards, job aids, online tutorials, assessments, and print-based materials.
• 3+ years of work experience with eLearning authoring tools, such as Storyline/Rise 360, Captivate, Lectora, or similar.
• 2+ years of work experience developing graphics using tools such Illustrator, Photoshop, or similar.
• 2+ years of work experience using Learning Management Systems, such as Cornerstone, Thinking Cap, or similar to manage users, publish lessons, enroll learners, and generate reports.
• 2+ years of work experience using data and controls to measure the impact of learning interventions.

Values and attitudes that are beneficial for these positions include: (The Following from the Job post)

•     Masters' Degree in Instructional Design, Learning Technology, or a related field.
•     Experience developing training for contact center employees and familiarity with call center QA & coaching practices
•     Extensive experience with authoring tools, such as Storyline/Rise 360, Captivate, Lectora, or similar.
•     Experience developing accessible online learning for people with disabilities.
•     Advanced Multimedia development in audio, video, and/or animation (e.g. Audition, Premiere, Vyond).
•     Deep understanding of visual design principles.
•     Intermediate experience in web development (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript and/or similar languages) to create web sites, learning portals, and other technical assets.
•     Experience with emerging tech trends for content creation (e.g. xAPI, gamification, augmented reality, and virtual reality).

These knowledge, skills, and values can be developed through a combination of formal education (such as a this Masters program), additionally on-the-job experience, professional development courses and workshops, and networking with peers in the field.

What's strange is even with a Masters they still want me to have 3 years experience working with tools I've never heard of, let alone touched.  I guess I better understand the last 501 assignment.  Seems like this program is trying to figure out how to get us hired, which based on this list seems near impossible.

Stuff I can think of to help get that experience can be developed through:

•     Professional development opportunities
•     Collaboration with colleagues and subject matter experts
•     Continual learning and staying current on industry trends and developments
•     Practice in the field.
•     Certifications in addition to a Masters?  This kind of pisses me off.  But I think that's a whole different post.
• https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Curriculum+Designer&l=Phoenix%2C+AZ&=&aceid=&gclid=CjwKCAiAoL6eBhA3EiwAXDom5o_Kzf8cDAOId3Z5AcOXWF_l6Xjzrr3nxH2Ei1y8j3BWveQPI7n3hxoCThQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&from=mobRdr&utm_source=%2Fm%2F&utm_medium=redir&utm_campaign=dt&vjk=beb276d087c958b7

• Links to an external site.

I'm not sure how some this can happen.  Good thing I'm not really interested in this position with a company like Amazon.  Really, the one thing I found missing which is what I'm trying to capitalize upon is knowledge in the field.  I ultimately want to teach what I already know.  Which most companies don't know they need.  I just have to figure out how to let them know they need me.  Thus my proclivity to consulting.

pisses me off:

Figured I should probably elaborate on this topic.  I'm Not posting this to Canvas for my course.   At least not yet, or unless somebody asks me about my comment :)  My father was a college teacher and my Mother was a elementary school teacher, so it was assumed I'd attend college.  This was back in the 80's 40 years ago.  College was much different then and the reason for attending college was much different then.  It was basically to prove that you could learn, had ambition and where interested in thing more advanced than what you could learn in high school.  Anyway I spent the 5 years (I had to work to pay my way through college) and got the degree.

 What pisses me off really is the fact that today's job listings substitute Certifications in place of a college education or I've even seen Cisco certification listed as equivalent to a Masters Degree.  Their CCIE program is preferred in many cases to a masters level education.  So somebody with a good memory and 10,000 us dollars can go out and get a practice lab and teach himself everything required to get a CCIE in about a year.  If they are half way intelligent. 

There are several problems with this:

• Skipping all the fundamental building courses that a 4 year degree requires.
• Certification with a Vendor

 I could go way into depth on both of those topics but that's probably a whole article or several blog posts independent of this post.

So ultimately somebody who  spent the grueling hours and time to get a college degree still has to go back and prove that they can get a vendor certification.  That's what really pisses me off, and I feel the whole system is misguided.