As this semester ends, I reflect on what I have learned and experienced. The quote that stands out for me is during a conversation with a good friend of mine. “Instructional design is systematic. If the design is solid, it should work.” We have received information that will provide tools for success in human performance. This information has transferred over to the classes that I teach, the orientation sessions that I conduct, and the people that I manage. The lessons that I have received in this class has helped me to understand better the information that I received in other courses. What I have enjoyed the most were the case studies. Each case enabled me to think through real-life situations.

Karen Cole’s case is very close to me. Karen is a student that is about to graduate from her Instructional Design program. Vice President Lucas offers her a job at the university. This case provides perspectives from both Karen and Dr. Lucas. This case study is a cautionary tale of how inexperience can negatively impact an instructional design project. Karen’s initial presentation to advisory committee members was “low-level.” She had an issue with too many individuals providing input into the project. She missed deadlines. That which she did deliver was flawed. One of Karen’s most significant signs of immaturity in this field was her not assembling a team to do the project. In all of my classes related to Instructional Design and Technology speak on the importance of teams. During the reading preceding this case, we read about the significance of having someone in authority to sign off on reviews and revisions. We were taught that there are costs associated with out of scope revisions. This is not only monetary but can also cause delays in deadlines.

              If Karen’s case showed us what not to do, our final case study taught us how to interact with a new client. This project proposal covered the most common issues in working relationships that employ instructional designers. The proposal provides detailed information regarding design and production phases with deliverable dates, working with SMEs, budgeting for the project, risk of completion, and other factors that may affect the completion of the project. It shows us the team and their experience that will be working on the project.

              I appreciate these case studies because it puts the knowledge that we have acquired into practice. As we enter the field of Instructional Design, we have these case studies as learning experiences that have no personal effect on real clients or us. I am reminded of a potential ID opportunity with a major national brand. I chose NOT to pursue it, being a first-semester grad student in the field, after remembering what happened to Karen.

I am looking forward to learning more about the field in upcoming semesters.