1.5 Assignment-Critical Reflection Journal-Blog

What is new to my thinking or learning this past week? 

            This week begins another new course in the online learning and teaching journey.  In this course, we will focus on the foundations of instructional design.  Though I have completed two academic programs entirely online and am now in the fourth class of this current program which is also 100% online, I really didn’t know the history of instructional design and the elements that make up the quality instructional design process.  It has been insightful and informative.  I look forward to learning more over the next several workshops in preparation for EDUO 605 where I will put into practice what I have learned in this course and develop my own course using the principles of instructional design.

How has this new information challenged me?

            The information this week has challenged me to look at instructional design from a different perspective.  In essence, instructional design is used for more than just online academic courses.  The principles of instructional design are used in course design of all types.  For example, if McDonald’s develops a new sandwich, someone must design the training materials to teach employees how to assemble that sandwich.  When you purchase a product at IKEA and must assemble it, it has directions and instructions on how to do that.  After reading the material this week, I have a new meaning about instructional design and what it is about.

How has this stretched my professional growth and development?  What are the implications of this week’s learning on my professional practice?

             Learning the fundamentals of instructional design will help me as an educator to design and facilitate courses for future students.  Much like any subject or concept, to better understand it requires growth and development.  The learning that will come over the next several weeks will be beneficial to roles that I may hold as a practitioner. 

How can these new learnings be used to impact my personal faith journey and my impact for the Kingdom?

             While we have looked at gaining a better understanding of instructional design, this week’s virtual salt challenged us to look at intelligent design.  I believe it is the intelligent design with which we were designed and created by our maker that helps us to design and create instructional materials.  Just like quality instructional design utilizes intricate details and principles to facilitate learning, intelligent design explores the intricate details that God utilized to create each one of us.  The fact is, we have the ultimate instructional design piece in our hands and all we must do is read it.  It is the Holy Bible, God’s ultimate instructional design manual.