In this issue:
1. NMID Highlights
2. New Media Instructional Design Symposium (NMID) Focus Group
3. Get Ready for WBT Producer 2001!
4. Resources for Your Continuing Education
1. NMID Highlights
by Vivian Hisey, Program Manager, New Media Instructional Design
http://www.influent.com/nmid2000
More than 200 instructional designers met last week in Washington, DC to explore new approaches to instructional design for new media. The fourth annual New Media Instructional Design Symposium (NMID) theme was " Instructional Design is Dead! Long Live Instructional Design!" Listed below are some highlights.
* The Keynote speakers addressed the event theme in a number of thought provoking ways. Dr. Allison Rossett, Professor, San Diego State University, gave the opening keynote address "Nobody is Dead Around Here - How the Web and ID Invigorate Each Other." She explained to us that no one was, in fact, "dead." We know that we can effectively integrate instructional design techniques with what we are doing on the Web. However, the Web does require us to rethink our instructional design methodology.
Special keynote presenter Michael Gelb drew upon the concepts from his book, "How to think like Leonardo da Vince," in a thoroughly engaging session in which he shared the seven traits of the legendary inventor, scientist, and artist. The closing keynote address by Dr. Michael Allen, Allen Interactions, challenged historical instructional design in the presentation "Don't be an Instructional Zombie!" This trio alone was incredible! WOW! It was a learning experience beyond anything you've seen before.
* NMID certainly lived up to its title! Traditional instructional design was challenged throughout the symposium by session presenters. As a result of the program mix of conceptual and practical aspects, attendees were able to look at the issues and discover solutions from many different approaches.
* The intimate number of attendees created a wonderful networking and sharing environment that fostered sessions with lively questions and discussions. Many delegates commented that the variety of topic areas and solutions would help them apply what they had learned immediately upon returning to work.
* Topics of special interest to this group were transferring current Instructor Led Training and CD ROM-based training onto the Web, and designing under tight budgets and shorter time lines.
The location and dates of the 2001 Symposium will be announced in a few weeks. Readers of Influential Trends will be notified of the call for proposals. We hope to see you at next year's NMID Symposium! Long live Instructional Design!
2. New Media Instructional Design Symposium (NMID) Focus Group
by Heidi Fisk, Worldwide Program Director, Influent Technology Group
A special focus group discussing the issues and trends affecting instructional design convened at the NMID Symposium. Here are their ideas and insights on what it takes to be an ID professional, and some of the challenges.
The instructional design professional of today must not only have strong ID skills, but also needs to:
* Be adept at project management
* Know how to budget projects
* Understand and use development software and tools
* Be able to facilitate discussions with SME's, trainers, and business units
* Know how to fill multiple roles on the team
* Be a team player
* Be flexible, and roll with the punches
* Have coaching skills
* Be articulate
* Be able to work in an ever changing and diverse environment
* Be adept at technical writing
* Know when and how to outsource parts of the project, if necessary
* Perform effective task and needs analysis
The focus group also concluded that some of the biggest challenges they face are:
* Fast development and design cycles
* Setting and meeting management expectations
* Defining new ways of designing systems
* Knowing what tools to use for each project
* Not having enough time to learn, or even to think
* Getting the systems they design to "talk" to Learning Management Systems (LMS)
3. Get Ready for WBT Producer 2001!
The WBT Producer 2001 Conference & Expo is an energizing learning event for professionals who design, develop or manage online instructional information. If you are part of the team that creates and manages eLearning and Web-based training, this is the event for you! If you register for WBT Producer by December 15, 2000, you may sign-up for a one day Pre-Conference workshop for FREE! Visit http://www.influent.com/wbt2001 for program details, and to REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
The WBT Producer 2001 program is amazing! Check out the captivating keynote presentations from Bran Ferren, Applied Minds, who is best known for his work and creativity as the "imagineering" genius at The Walt Disney Company, and Keri E. Pearlson of Zero Time Institute, who will teach you the five critical competencies which you need to survive and thrive. PLUS, over 100 comprehensive sessions in these incisive tracks: Project Management, Instructional Design, Usability/Interface Design, Programming & Development, Business Issues, and Executive Perspectives. The complete program will be posted in December.
Networking, Networking, Networking! The WBT Producer 2001 Conference provides unparalleled opportunities for you to learn AND network with industry experts and your peers in both formal and informal settings. Enjoy the Grand Conference Party, the Welcome Reception, discussion groups, compelling pre-conference workshops, and much more!
Several exciting new features are:
* The Developer Download - Come on down, hook up with your colleagues, and meet with industry big-shots to "talk shop" and explore new ideas and options.
* Experitorium - Offers access to hundreds of WBT and eLearning Web sites and resources. Not only will you be able to connect to industry leaders, you will have access to email, and can test-drive tools and technologies for online learning development.
* eLearning Tools Update - Specific sessions in the Tools Update Track will give you the latest information on the hottest and most innovative tools and technologies. Hear from product managers (NOT the sales guys!), and learn about the useful traits of each product, so you will know which one is best suited to the tasks you are facing.
* PLUS The Studio Central Sponsor Expo - Experience dozens of the hottest products, hear from the vendors who are on the cutting edge of design and development, and meet the leaders in asynchronous tools, synchronous delivery systems, and learning management systems in the most innovative and cool expo environment ever! Infused with a groovy coffee house atmosphere, Studio Central is definitely the place to be.
See you in Anaheim!
4. Resources for Your Continuing Education
WBT Producer 2001 Conference & Expo
Driving the Power of eLearning!
April 18-20, 2001, Pre-Conference Workshops are April 16 & 17
Marriott Hotel & Resort
Anaheim, CA, USA
See article above for detailed information. Visit http://www.influent.com/wbt2001 for program details and to REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
