Development and Design in the ID World

     One of the primary tasks that is required of a PM is to estimate the cost of projects and schedule resources that are needed for the project’s completion. To say the least, estimating the cost of a project and its resources can be overwhelming. Because there are so many pieces to the grand puzzle of cost estimation, it can be daunting task. Thankfully, PMs are not alone. Because every project requires cost estimations, everyone is looking for helpful resources to make the job easier. For this assignment, I am going to provide two resources I found extremely beneficial when attempting to create a project cost estimate. I hope these resources can be helpful to you estimate the cost of your project. ProjectManager’s Free Project Estimate Template : ProjectManager is one of many cloud-based project management software platforms that offers all the basic tools of any project management software (i.e., planning, tracking, collaborating). It provides detailed features ...

     There are so many resources available today that can provide assistance and guidance to a PM when they are developing a project timeline. Because of this, it can be overwhelming to know where to start or where to get help. For this assignment, I am going to provide two incredibly helpful resources I had never seen before until doing my own search today. I hope these resources can be helpful to you as you plan a project timeline or schedule. (*Note: I am providing only two of many resources out there. For the purpose of this assignment, I have tried to provide resources that are less well-known in hopes of providing new resources to others.) Tom’s Planner : Tom’s Planner is a website that provides Gantt charts in a simple and easy-to-use format. When you start a project timeline, it provides you with the ability to add tasks, large milestones, and specific dates to the timeline. Icons, color-coordination, and drag-and-drop features make this platform easy and eng...

     To better understand the factors that affect communication and what is deemed effective communication, I viewed a piece of communication that was presented in three different modalities from “ The Art of Effective Communication ”. After hearing the message communicated in each modality, I recorded my interpretation of the message, the factors that influenced this interpretation of the message, and my overall impression of the form of communication. You can view my thoughts for each communication form below. Email: The beginning of the email sounded a bit pushy, demanding, and a bit off-putting. Often times, when you insert words like “that” into “in that all day meeting today”, it can immediately make a sentence sound negative or condescending. (I am pretty sure everyone can think of an argument where someone used the word “that” to make a clear point that they are not happy.) Additionally, the email keeps bringing up the writer’s needs and presents it in a demanding...

     Shortly before I became an ID at the company I work for currently, they decided to take on the task of writing their own curriculum series. The plan was to create workbooks, instructor guides, and digital content for blended courses they could sell as well as run within their charter school. They decided to develop courses for the four main subjects – Social Studies, Science, ELA, and Math – for Grades 1-6 before diving into the production of Middle and High School courses. When it came time to develop the elementary Math courses, the stakeholders had a very specific vision in mind for how they wanted the Math courses to be laid out and written. They hired a brand new PM and had communicated the vision to the PM many times to ensure she understood the needs and vision of the Math courses. As an ID, part of my role consisted of overseeing the Grade 3 contracted writers/SMEs and coaching them in our vision for the Math course as they developed the lessons. Unfortunatel...

Welcome! I am so glad you are here! Whether you are new to the world of ID or consider yourself an old-timer, there is something here for you! From distance learning models to project management best practices, you will find tips and tools here to assist you in your ID career. Feel free to leave a comment or question below. Happy reading!

          If you put 10 people in a room and say the term “distance learning,” you will likely get 10 different reactions. This is because many people have different perceptions of what distance learning is, what makes it successful for some learners, and what makes it limiting for others. Although distance learning has been around for decades, it has grown significantly in the past five years. Universities, governments, and corporations are seeking to utilize distance learning to help people who are not in the same location to communicate, collaborate, and learn. Although perceptions of distance learning may vary, it is crucial to keep our eyes on the future of distance learning and how we can take strides today that will impact the distance learning of tomorrow. By analyzing these future perceptions and identifying ways to improve societal perceptions, I can be an instructional designer who is a positive force in improving distance learning.     ...