I’ve worked from home, in distributed teams (both national and international), with diverse groups of people in pretty much every job I’ve had since college. I’ve pretty much exclusively worked from home for more than 10 years. But covid times create a different environment, especially with teams that are used to seeing each other in person.

This is where reality sets in. As I’ve mentioned before, the group I was with at the Forest Service wasn’t interested in embracing the full benefits of eLearning and ID, so there wasn’t as much practical experience for what I was learning in my OPWL classes.

In my initial interview for this Instructional Designer position, we discussed the ADDIE method. In January 2022 we will be embracing a revamp of courses to meet 508-accessibility requirements. We talk about how to keep users engaged, interacting, and learning (not just “present these steps”). White space, consistency, and appropriate images are important.

I haven’t heard anyone talk about adult learning theory yet, but it’s early days. Maybe I’ll be the one to bring that into the mix.

I know that I don’t know everything. I know that I have lot left to learn (and hope to keep learning for the rest of my life). I will be learning from my experiences and co-workers, and I will be learning from my future OPWL courses.

Being in a work environment where ID is completely understood, embraced, talked about regularly among staff, and put into practice is a really motivating experience. As I continue on my Masters path in the OPWL program, I look forward to seeing how being in this new environment with co-workers who also understand these topics alters my view of content presented in future courses.

There will be things that will no longer just be “in theory” in my head. There will be new experiences of applying the concepts I’ve learned through OPWL so far and how to apply the new things that are presented.

In some ways I can see this making some OPWL projects “easier” but I can also see these experiences making me feel the need to dig even deeper into some of the topics. And I’m not saying that that’s a bad thing!

As this year comes to a close and we see 2022 just around the corner, I’m happy to say that I see and feel hope in my future. Hope of putting this chaotic year behind me. Hope of feeling some level of control of my life again. And hope of being truly happy and fulfilled in my professional choices.

Moving forward in the OPWL program will have even more meaning to me – instead of thinking about how I will be able to apply learnings in the future, I will be applying learnings immediately and my work experiences will help me view the learning materials in an enhanced way.

Here’s to our future! I’m off and running!!