Reflection on ITD 602

This course has really helped me broaden my perspective of what instructional design is all about. I work on a team that helps develop university courses online. We work with the Quality Matters rubric and guidelines, and the process can be quite tedious at times. As a creative person, I get really excited when I can branch out and do things on Canva and Flipsnack (a brand new tool for me). Not only do I get to create and see a finished product, I also get to share those tools with instructors now in hopes that they will discover new ways to bring their content to life for students. 

In terms of theory, Bates’s SECTIONS Framework was something I found extremely useful and memorable. Technology has always played a significant role in my educational endeavors. However, the reasons behind using certain technology in education can seem abstract, often at the risk of appearing to be “technology for technology’s sake.” I always struggled with finding the balance between engaging technology and ensuring learning outcomes are met. The SECTIONS Framework provides a practical guide for choosing the most relevant and appropriate technology for a lesson. 

The challenges I faced in this course were mostly personal. Having major surgery in the middle of the course was stressful because I was worried about meeting deadlines. However, the instructor was very understanding and offered flexibility during a time that proved very unpredictable. I ended up not needing extensions, but I think it was because my mind was at ease knowing I had that flexibility if I needed it. The course itself also made studying and working while recovering very convenient. I never felt behind because I could work at my own pace, and all the resources were at my fingertips.

If I were to change anything about the course, I would add more collaborative activities. The Communities of Practice activity was a wonderful chance to get to know other people in the course and learn about each other's diversity of experience and what each brought to our course. Being able to have a real conversation with others in the class created a sense of community when online courses can feel somewhat isolating. I think adding one or two more collaborative activities may make for more lively discussion boards and help others feel connected.

Overall, I really enjoyed this course. It got me excited about studying Instructional Design and expanding my skills in the field. It is such a breath of fresh air to find a career that has seemingly unlimited growth potential and will play such a critical role in the future of education. I am looking forward to the rest of the MSITD program!