Peeking Over the Shoulder of a Seasoned Designer

From Kandice:

"It's Monday morning and I am fresh off a weekend of heady reading and creating my first storyboard for class. I'm feeling good and I want to take the second course, so I want to get prepared. I go over to my co-worker Adam's desk to ask if the Articulate software is loaded on the computer in the technology lab. Adam talks a little bit about the lab and then asks me why I need the software and then, things get interesting…

I enthusiastically share with him that I'm taking my first course and how much I'm learning, etc. He's very supportive and then begins to show me a project he's currently working on with an SME. I lean over his desk and as he clicks through page after page, each is loaded with text - a LOT of text. It looks very much like the PowerPoint the SME provided except for a few fun looking graphics. He says, 'My favorite part is the design. I enjoy adding things to make it more interesting.' I was a little confused considering I just spent a weekend with Ruth Clark and design principles. What does he mean about 'the design?' Is it just placing words on a slide?

He then spoke about the relationships he's had with SMEs. His process is: he receives a PowerPoint and then transfers the contents of the slides to the authoring tool. He focuses on repeating the text, and adding decorative visuals, rather than ensuring learning objectives are met via effective instructional methods. I went back to my desk, reflecting on how our conversation contrasted with the readings and class discussions. Is he more of an information peddler, or an instructional designer? Was this simply his own approach, or was it the approach of the entire department, I had to ask?

The conversation made me consider how as a new ID, I am very connected to the principles and theories I am learning in this foundation course. Will I maintain and apply what I learn here as a practitioner? Yes! Will I abandon what I’ve learned for the seemingly 'practical' or 'expedient?' I really hope not!"