tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post8757237962282297415..comments2024-03-16T04:47:28.312-05:00Comments on Cammy Bean's Learning Visions: Describing What You Do: Instructional DesignCammy Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14164253880427035485noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-35546147093744488992014-01-28T08:51:38.431-05:002014-01-28T08:51:38.431-05:00I always get a kick out of how people often ask it...I always get a kick out of how people often ask it twice.<br /><br />"What do you do?"<br /><br />"I'm an instructional designer."<br /><br />{pause} "So ... What do you DO?"<br /><br />What ANYbody does for a living is a funny topic. I find that if any of my friends are anything other than policemen, firemen, or athletes, I can never fully understand what they do for a living. So expecting someone to fully understand what I do as an ID is a bit of a stretch. But I do think there is a way to help them connect a bit more.<br /><br />I am at The Home Depot and I find it easiest to speak to them as if they are a customer of my company (and I can't imagine why they WOULDN'T be) so that they see the benefit to themselves from me improving the performance of those who serve them.<br /><br />"I create training for our associates so that when you come in shopping for a drill, they know how to recommend the right one and make sure you leave the store with any drill bits and extension cords that you're going to need to complete your project. Oh, and I also help make sure that forklift operator knows how to safely drive around you."<br /><br />This is easiest in a retail environment like ours, but any of us can step through that mental exercise to think of how the mom on the park bench is a customer. And I think beyond the "What do you do" discussion, this is a geat exercise, to help us view those around us as customers, current or potential. Chris Rogersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-57206011066453191942013-04-28T15:09:17.560-05:002013-04-28T15:09:17.560-05:00My experience and description depends on to whom I...My experience and description depends on to whom I'm talking. If I'm talking with a teacher or someone in an educational field, using "instructional design" typically works fine.<br /><br />If the person is more corporate-y, I stick with "technical training."<br /><br />If I don't know what they do (Hint: it help to ask them first...and then listen!), then I go with "training consultant."<br /><br />What muddies the waters even more is that I've trained exclusively on "social enterprise technologies" (e.g., wikis, blogs, etc., within the corporate firewall), with which most folks are equally unfamiliar.Adam R.http://www.twitter.com/evercurionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-56620884106600546452013-03-25T15:08:11.985-05:002013-03-25T15:08:11.985-05:00For the first time last week, I just said Designer...For the first time last week, I just said Designer.<br /><br />I don't really care if people think I design clothes or shoes or websites. When they ask what I design, I tell them. But I no longer have to feel like my job title has to say it all. Designer is the important part. :)Judy Katz Unreinhttp://onehundredfortywords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-40260752096199872372012-12-17T18:57:09.308-05:002012-12-17T18:57:09.308-05:00When I started my PhD I remember my supervisor tel...When I started my PhD I remember my supervisor telling me the first thing I should do is figure out how to explain my thesis topic to my grandmother - if I could do that, then I probably had a pretty good understanding of what it was I was trying to do. Years later, I've found the same approach works with explaining what I do as an Instructional Designer. I tend to start with "I help people learn stuff so they can do their jobs better".Catenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-42702375084098229462012-08-29T16:05:42.274-05:002012-08-29T16:05:42.274-05:00I have just stumbled upon this great blog and arti...I have just stumbled upon this great blog and article and yes, I have to agree with this as well. I have to relate a very interesting though some would say odd experience with regard to this. Two years ago whilst at the hospital bed and being attached to the CTG machine i.e. for monitoring contractions etc., out popped that question about what do I do from the nurse who had a glimpse of my file. In the midst of my increasingly painful contractions :), I proceeded to explain what an ID does and fortunately with the CTG machine by my side, I used that as an example for trainees nurses who will need to learn how to use it and the kind of activities that will assist them to be able to operate the machine; I think it was a win win situation on both sides - she understood my work as an ID and I on the other hand got the distraction I needed to withstand my labour pains :) - that I experience here in Fiji and its a relief to know that I have fellow IDs around the world that also face this and that the kind of discussion that is happening here help us in this regard.Alanieta Lesuma-Fatiakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16542616008779725029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-15077727811031387712012-08-29T16:04:31.972-05:002012-08-29T16:04:31.972-05:00I have just stumbled upon this great blog and arti...I have just stumbled upon this great blog and article and yes, I have to agree with this as well. I have to relate a very interesting though some would say odd experience with regard to this. Two years ago whilst at the hospital bed and being attached to the CTG machine i.e. for monitoring contractions etc., out popped that question about what do I do from the nurse who had a glimpse of my file. In the midst of my increasingly painful contractions :), I proceeded to explain what an ID does and fortunately with the CTG machine by my side, I used that as an example for trainees nurses who will need to learn how to use it and the kind of activities that will assist them to be able to operate the machine; I think it was a win win situation on both sides - she understood my work as an ID and I on the other hand got the distraction I needed to withstand my labour pains :) - that I experience here in Fiji and its a relief to know that I have fellow IDs around the world that also face this and that the kind of discussion that is happening here help us in this regard.Alanieta Lesuma-Fatiakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16542616008779725029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-34722151878843434182011-06-06T09:32:11.846-05:002011-06-06T09:32:11.846-05:00Tracy, I love that description -- works really wel...Tracy, I love that description -- works really well for those IDs working in the academic space.<br /><br />I've started moving away from the term "elearning" when I describe what I do -- instead using "online training/learning." With elearning I still get blank stares...Cammy Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164253880427035485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-30943052471556076802011-06-05T17:51:30.351-05:002011-06-05T17:51:30.351-05:00While I'm not quite working in the field yet (...While I'm not quite working in the field yet (I just finished my degree last month) I stopped telling people "I want to be an instructional designer" and started saying "I want to work with professors to help them make their classroom courses work online." People seem to get that.Tracyhttp://www.polkadotpajamas.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-32221489033860719792011-05-27T14:19:59.728-05:002011-05-27T14:19:59.728-05:00I always answer the "What do you do?" qu...I always answer the "What do you do?" question with the following:<br /><br />"I'm an Instructional Designer (pause). I create training materials. Mainly I read, write and research for a living."<br /><br />SometimesI'll add:<br /> <br />"I'm also the person who typically trains the trainer."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-76694170658784350932011-04-26T06:29:03.296-05:002011-04-26T06:29:03.296-05:00How about:
The production and distribution of eLe...How about: <br />The production and distribution of eLearning courses.<br /><br />This describes what I do.<br /><br />While audacious this description leaves out the most important part of our job -- engagement with faculty and students and creating an eLearning environment which enhances that relationship.libbyfundwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03487522660757101136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-73055038635680463352009-05-17T22:07:00.000-05:002009-05-17T22:07:00.000-05:00I'm enjoying all of the alternative titles people ...I'm enjoying all of the alternative titles people are coming up with. Great stuff.<br /><br />I do think a big 'problem' is that we all do something slightly different from each other. For some of us, "technologist" might be part of the job description. For others, the emphasis might be more on writing. We all play a part in the design of instruction, yes, but there are so many pieces to that puzzle!Cammy Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164253880427035485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-95601207778611912009-05-14T21:28:00.000-05:002009-05-14T21:28:00.000-05:00You've hit on two separate, although related, soap...You've hit on two separate, although related, soapboxes on which I sometimes find myself perched. This is from an educational perspective (blame John Curry for that one ;-) He and I go back about 10 years).<br /><br />First, as a discipline/field/industry segment, instructional design is not well defined or understood. A symptom of that is the two types of institutions you'd expect to most likely have and need instructional designers/technologists, K-12 and Higher Ed - having a very small group or not any hint of ID's at all; for example, a K-12 district with 36 campuses and only 5 instructional technologists/designers *or* a community college not having a single instructional designer/technologist on campus. I think the root of the problem is that we have not defined or promoted ourselves well; decision makers that should be approving and hiring instructional technologists aren't aware enough of the need for the skill set within their organization. If decision makers do not understand the discipline and the job, how are those not associated with it in any way supposed to know?<br /><br />Second, even where there are instructional technologists/designers employed, they are often not in significant leadership positions. As a result, even in educational institutions, technology related decisions impacted by training and integration (adoption rates) often do not include instructional designers which often understand the user base in more depth or detail: their use habits, tendencies, attitudes etc. That leads to 1:1 laptop programs in K-12 schools in which faculty have said the computers are basically ebook readers because software and access to the internet isn't addressed well enough from an instructional perspective to make the computers more useful. Or an instance in a higher education institution where IT begins implementing blogs for the business side of things with zero consideration for or involvement by the instructional departments; that same IT group also abandoned pursuit of iTunes U because they didn't see how or why the instructional side would use it. If those kinds of decisions are being made in educational institutions that DO have instructional designers/technologists, should we really expect there to be a good understanding of the discipline by those not associated with it in any way?<br /><br />-ChrisChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02699523576654215790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-31660455218025051892009-05-13T09:08:00.000-05:002009-05-13T09:08:00.000-05:00I have been trying to have this conversation for o...I have been trying to have this conversation for over 16 years now. Believe it or not, it's gotten easier in that time. It's funny you've blogged on this as I did the same just two weeks ago: http://tiny.cc/tOyCL<br /><br />I think we could all have a lot of fun submitting favorite reactions of those "not in the know" when we tell them our title!Matt Meyerhttp://tiny.cc/tOyCLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-26840233531563478062009-05-13T06:08:00.000-05:002009-05-13T06:08:00.000-05:00I think...
'Learning and Performance Strategist'
...I think...<br /><br />'Learning and Performance Strategist'<br /><br />...might work pretty well for the layman.<br /><br />'I design stuff that helps people learn new things'<br /><br />Instructional Designer, ID, etc. works for those inside the industry. But you're right - nobody outside the cone of 'know' gets it.<br /><br />I've titled myself...<br /><br />'Learning Systems Engineer'<br /><br />...at one time. Those in the know say there's no such thing;PStevehttp://www.xpconcept.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-85065255530723452072009-05-13T05:51:00.000-05:002009-05-13T05:51:00.000-05:00Whenever I say, "I'm an Instructional Designer" I ...Whenever I say, "I'm an Instructional Designer" I get a very confused reaction at the first place. Some thinks that it is something realted to interior designing, while some told is it related to fashion design. Then I need to explain them what e-learning is and how instructional deisgning is related to develop e-learning programs. <br /><br />Even I say the same thing, as said by Rupa, that my role is somewhat similar to the director of a movie. I direct the designing of an interesting and engaging e-learning program.Narauttam Dasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-79954044525893020262009-05-12T21:53:00.000-05:002009-05-12T21:53:00.000-05:00Ellen, I'm pretty sure you are a flippin' genius, ...Ellen, I'm pretty sure you are a flippin' genius, Flash player install or not. <br /><br />Let's all us IDs gather round now for a great big group hug. And then go speed date the other moms and dads on the playground.Cammy Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164253880427035485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-11240300483174981332009-05-12T10:42:00.000-05:002009-05-12T10:42:00.000-05:00gotta say, I continue to be surprised at how many ...gotta say, I continue to be surprised at how many of us can't easily articulate what it is that we do. Me included. I think it's because we try to explain way too much. <br /><br />Let's not forget that casual questions about what one does for a living is a way to get a "speed-dating" sense of who we are...not because others are deeply interested in the practices and activities with which we are involved, but because they are looking for a common point of experience to continue a conversation. <br /><br />My affirmation that "IDs help transform intangible information assets into things of great business or epistemological value" is really more for us because it reminds us that, in the words of Stuart Little, "We ARE somebody!!!" <br /><br />(Oy....Sometimes I just want to give IDs a big hug and remind us all that we are a critical lynchpin in the learning technologies value chain....we are such a sensitive bunch!)<br /><br />But when talking to "civilians" about ID, I usually ask them if they've ever gone to school or had a job. Or I ask them if they've ever had to learn how to do something using technology. With that context its a bit easier to say "yeah, I design that stuff". <br /><br />If one prefers the more academic explanation "we transform digital assets into tangible value by designing and producing learning experiences enabled via IT." <br /><br />Or, from the biz side, we can say that we "maximize the value of investments in people and enterprise technologies".<br /><br />Of course, sometimes I just tell people that I can get their Flash player to install. And then they think I'm a flippin' genius!!!!ellen wagnerhttp://elearningroadtrip.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-88091670099726222122009-05-09T08:25:00.000-05:002009-05-09T08:25:00.000-05:00I often say I design workplace learning. For some ...I often say I design workplace learning. For some reason this phrase usually works.Jason Willenskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00081845216021390555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-12230613590364686042009-05-09T08:23:00.000-05:002009-05-09T08:23:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jason Willenskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00081845216021390555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-19989813851779526822009-05-08T03:22:00.000-05:002009-05-08T03:22:00.000-05:00I usually say
I have an internet business
Then i...I usually say<br /><br />I have an internet business<br /><br />Then if the converation is paused I will follow up with<br /><br /><br />.......Hard Core Pornography<br /><br />That usually ends the conversationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-77192428875725013652009-05-07T13:51:00.000-05:002009-05-07T13:51:00.000-05:00I'm comforted to know that I'm not the only one wh...I'm comforted to know that I'm not the only one who receives blank stares or gets tongue-twisted in trying to describe what I do. Of course, it always depends on the audience -- some people have more experience with eLearning and get it right away.<br /><br />I think the word "instructional" is the biggest obstacle. That's not a word one hears in normal circumstances...Cammy Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14164253880427035485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-45595855596302950192009-05-07T09:38:00.000-05:002009-05-07T09:38:00.000-05:00I create learning material. Well, I try to, client...I create learning material. Well, I try to, client, SME, and colleagues willing.Geetha Krishnanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16977569707194015437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-13330605734279415132009-05-07T00:04:00.000-05:002009-05-07T00:04:00.000-05:00Hi Cammy,
This is a really interesting question. ...Hi Cammy,<br /><br />This is a really interesting question. As Archana says, in India, non learning professionals have no clue about Instructional Designing. In face most of them do not know something like this exists.<br /><br />So what I tell people is my job is similar to that of a film director who directs a movie or an ad maker who visualizes commercial ads. <br /><br />I explain that the only difference is that I direct a learning program :)Rupa Rajagopalanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048568235253878965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-62809154232839149352009-05-06T23:15:00.000-05:002009-05-06T23:15:00.000-05:00I face the same situation every time I am asked wh...I face the same situation every time I am asked what I do. Because in India (more so than the west) elearning is an alien concept among non learning professionals. When I explain that I help people learn, the immediate question is which field. It is difficult for them to understand that you could help teach domains that you are not an expert in. Then, I explain about the SME. So, it is a long explanation which I am sure confuser the listener further. :) This was actually my first blog post: <A HREF="http://archiespeaksout.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-do-i-explain-what-i-do.html" REL="nofollow">How do I explain what I do?</A>Archana Narayanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10829385743095581970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28999673.post-8915522059057910642009-05-06T13:53:00.000-05:002009-05-06T13:53:00.000-05:00If you asked my co workers they would describe me ...If you asked my co workers they would describe me as "the guy who does training things with computers." My title of "Program Development Leader" doesn't come close to describing what I do so well.Joe Deeganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10222566841920170710noreply@blogger.com