I've recently found myself wondering (again) how much people really know about the instructional design field.
I've been trying to hire a designer and have everyone from talent and performance coaches to graphic artists applying for the position. I've met wonderfully gifted people, but wonder how well instructional designers are able to communicate what we do and how well people can distinguish our talents and skills from some of the other sub-skills (such as gap analyses and assessments and graphic design) that inform our work. I have also run into the talented instructional technologist that applies for the instructional designer job. Why do you think this is the case?
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4 comments:
Tonya,
I believe the answer to your query lies in the lack of understanding by both the parties applying and by the parties listing job opportunities.
First, just doing a job search online for position titles instructional design and instructional technology yield dozens of references to web designers, graphic designers, web developers, and etc.
Potential employers are partly to blame for the misuse of terms. Many so readily use these terms interchangeably that job seekers apply and figure out what the job is really about post interview.
In this economy especially, I would not miss out on an opportune listing due to misuse of terminology. No, instead, I would cast as big a net as possible and weed out positions not to my liking later.
And I am currently casting many nets!!!
-Hope that helps
Tmomas Phillips, MBA, MS
Multimedia Specialist
Emory School of Medicine
tphill2@emory.edu
this an excellent forum you've created.
would you be interested in collaborating with Tennessee State University and its social venture the DMSC Governor's Challenge?
www.tnsandbox.com
excellent work! hope you'll check us out.
bob bradley
dir. tech innovation at TSU
Thanks, Bob. I'll check it out. Speaking to Tom's point
It does help and your approach is prudent these days. I think a few of the reasons employers don't understand lie with the field and instructional design programs as well. Are we communicating who designers are clearly enough? Are instructional technology programs leading graduates to believe they're ready to be designers after having only one design course and very little educational theory?
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