So, as I look back to my first class in my Multimedia and Web Design course, I think back to the conversations we had about design and its importance. My prediction is that the conversations about design and development are going to lead to the foundations of my understanding about web design. As a web design beginner, looking and analyzing the different parts of design gave me a moment of clarity. All things education related, including creating web and multimedia, must start with a plan. We focused on ADDIE, which is a format for designing instructional materials. It stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The process is very similar to the steps a teacher might take for lesson planning. Ultimately, don't all things have to start with the design and development to truly get a deep understanding of the content. Hmm...maybe that statement is a generalization, but it's something to think about.
As a future educational technology leader (at least that is the plan), I think it is important to have knowledge in the basic foundation of design and development. The "techie" in me thinks that all educational technology leaders need to have a firm grasp of design and development before they can venture on to help other educators best serve their student or classroom needs. I will have to be able to answer the technology as well as the instructional questions one day so it is important that I have a depth of knowledge in all of those areas. It makes me think about the T-PACK model (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge). I need strength and balance in all of these areas to be the best educator possible.
So, at this time, I truly believe the crystal ball is saying that multimedia and web design are going to be key elements in my development as an educational technology leader.
I think you are right! In order for us future technology leaders (hopefully) it is imperative that we understand design. Just today I was having an issue with my blogger and I had to Google how to fix it (gotta love Google!) but the way to fix it was to change something in the HTML code! AHHH! And we will be faced with issues like that, and we will be expected to know how to fix it, so I think this will be a much needed and useful course!
ReplyDeleteJena, I think you might have a second career as a fortune teller! Your crystal ball is good! Design is so important to the success of any online experience (as well as really any planned activity). It will be interesting to see how forward-thinking teachers who lack design skills are able to change the black and white way of production. No longer is it acceptable to have a poorly-planned site. It will also be interesting to see if those who naturally have an eye for design but no tech skills might be drawn to the flexibility and creativity that web-based design offers. Only time will tell, but you might want to start a site (well-designed of course) offering previews with that crystal ball of yours!
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