In Project 4, we explored emerging trends in learning analytics and future thinking. Because of the time takes for the course creation cycle, we have to predict the learning demands coming in a few years. Therefore instructional design team should be proactive to foresee trends a few years in advance to deliver the completed course in time. This project helped us to develop a third eye to forecast what is behind the horizon to prepare ourselves.
Envisioning five to ten years from now, I wrote my opinion on how adaptive learning, machine learning, and predictive analytics will play a role for lifelong learners in business, education, and society that might influence the future of learning design.
The assignment asked to create a scholarly conference poster with eight well-researched sections. I developed a visual representation of the design framework of adaptive learning techniques, elements, tools, and approaches to make personalized courses that serve the individual learner's needs.
As a designer, looking into what is coming next and staying relevant to the diverse needs of learners is essential for the work.
I listed my possible professional directions, journals to subscribe to, and professional learning networks to keep in touch with.
Research how to write op-ed articles and read a couple written for education.
Create an outline template.
Brainstorm the topics and align them with the requirements the assignment provided. Take the first note on a piece of paper with a pen.
Do a preliminary read once the topics shape a rough logical flow.
The reading may spark something else.
Take the second note, following the spark on the paper with a pen.
Put all floating ideas on the paper.
Take notes of idea development, new findings from reading sources, and references, now into a Word file.
Structure outline of the article with solid opinion. Remember, this is the op-ed.
Develop the outline into paragraphs.
Review the thesis often to develop cohesive narratives.
Know writing takes time and schedule to focus on a portion per session. Research the details as you write.
Exercise brings an idea perspective. Type it down when it surfaces.
Clean it up and double-check with Turn It In and Tutor.com.
If someone provided constructive feedback, review the article with insight from the feedback.
Developing the framework based on the op-ed took me five hand-drawing drafts.
In the end
Leaning into the future was an activity I enjoyed very much. While there were assignment criteria that I needed to incorporate into the short op-ed, I found many thought-provoking resources and tried to capture the essence of the future of learning design.
References
Op-ed article
Buettner, D. (2005). The Secrets of Long Life. National Geographic, 208(5), 2–27. http://ezproxy.umgc.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ofm&AN=504106383&site=eds-live&scope=site
Choudaha, R., & Rest, E. van. (2018, May 11). Envisioning Pathways to 2030. Studyportals. https://studyportals.com/2018-megatrends-higher-education-webinar/
Educause. (2022, April 18). 2022 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report | Teaching and Learning Edition. https://library.educause.edu/resources/2022/4/2022-educause-horizon-report-teaching-and-learning-edition
Gratton, L., & Scott, A. (2017). The 100-year life: Living and working in an age of longevity (Paperback edition). Bloomsbury Business.
Hutchinson, J. (2023). Ikigai. Salem Press Encyclopedia. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=161458366&site=eds-live&scope=site.
National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). Nontraditional Undergraduates / Definitions and Data. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs/web/97578e.asp
Pasricha, N. (2016, April 13). Why Retirement Is a Flawed Concept. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/04/why-retirement-is-a-flawed-concept
Ramírez, J., Górriz, J. M., Ortiz, A., Cole, J. H., & Dyrba, M. (2020). Editorial: Deep Learning in Aging Neuroscience. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 14, 573974. https://doi.org/10.3389/fninf.2020.573974
Rustici Software. (n.d.). What is xAPI aka the Experience API or Tin Can API. XAPI.Com. https://xapi.com/overview/
Weise, M. R. (2020, April 13). Lifelong Learning Will Be the New Normal—But Are We Ready? The Pew Charitable Trusts. https://pew.org/2Um3e4v
World Economic Forum. (2020, October 20). The Future of Jobs Report 2020. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020/
Poster
Choudaha, R., & Rest, E. van. (2018, May 11). Envisioning Pathways to 2030. Studyportals. https://studyportals.com/2018-megatrends-higher-education-webinar/
Feldstein, M., & Hill, P. (2016, March 7). Personalized Learning: What It Really Is and Why It Really Matters. Educause. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2016/3/personalized-learning-what-it-really-is-and-why-it-really-matters
Inclusive Design Research Center. (n.d.). Design for Adaptability and Flexibility. The Inclusive Design Guide. https://guide.inclusivedesign.ca/practices/design-for-adaptability-and-flexibility/
Johnson, C., & Sloan, A. (2020, April 6). Adaptive Learning: Implementation, Scaling, and Lessons Learned. Educause. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2020/4/adaptive-learning-implementation-scaling-and-lessons-learned
Knight, T. (2017). Enhanced Student Success through Personalized Learning Strategies. BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education, 9(1), 38–41.
Perez-Ortiz, M., Novak, E., Bulathwela, S., & Shawe-Taylor, J. (2021). An AI-based Learning Companion Promoting Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All.
Rustici Software. (n.d.). What is xAPI aka the Experience API or Tin Can API. XAPI.Com. https://xapi.com/overview/
Wikipedia. (2021). Adaptive learning. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adaptive_learning&oldid=1044919443