Master’s Course Reflections

Month 2: Strategies for Learner Engagement with Dr. Reo McBride

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

This course helped me revisit various pedagogical concepts that I had been using as a teacher and initiative coordinator. The SWOT analysis at the end of the course gave me the opportunity to do a deeper internal analysis. This in of itself is important to do periodically to reevaluate where I am at as an individual and professional.

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

Many of the concepts and the techniques covered in Strategies for Learner Engagement were ones that I had known previously from education degree, trainings, and teaching experience. The time to focus on them was valuable in expanding my knowing, which I used as a basis for my Capstone Project.

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

My personal triumph for this course was maintaining focus and motivation as much of the information I already knew through my previous education and experience. 

Month 3: Visual and Verbal Communication in Instructional Design with Professor Eric Bunner-Sorg

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

This course introduced me to what would become one of my favorite takeaways for Full Sail’s Master’s program, Adobe XD. Within this course I was able to take my prior knowledge and experience and enhance it through the use of various asset creation tools. This would prove to lay a foundation for the rest of my time at Full Sail University. 

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

For my Capstone Project I developed an interactive app prototype using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and XD. I also incorporated learning theories such as SAMR and Situated Learning Theory. When designing the visual elements of my Capstone Project I also utilized the information I had acquired about visual design, fonts, and colors to make sure that I had the most visually appealing and engaging asset possible. 

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

My biggest personal triumph was the asset I created in Adobe XD which was designed to teach how the state government functions within Colorado. After the conclusion of the class I shared the asset with a former colleague of mine, who is still an active teacher. He was able to use the asset and provided extremely positive feedback from both himself and his students regarding the practical use of the e-Learning module.

Month 4: Corporate Training and Motivational Development with Professor Eric Bunner-Sorg

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

This was the single most enjoyable, and valuable course within the entirety of the Instructional Design and technology master’s program. Corporate Training and Motivational Development helped me grow both personally and professionally through teaching me what the real-world applications of being an Instructional Designer would be like. I worked as hard as I could to try and simultaneously create and solve a complex set of client issues. By the end of the course I had developed a range of assets that could be used to improve the overall quality of my client’s business.

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

In my Capstone Project I took the lessons learned from entirety of the Purrfectionary project and incorporated them into the app design. I fully intend on pursing the development of my Capstone Project and part of that is due to its practical application and taking into consideration different obstacle that could potentially arise. 

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

My biggest personal triumph within Corporate Training and Motivational Development was being the recipient of a Course Director award. The final project as a whole really helped expand my abilities and show me what all being an actual instructional designer would entail. It helped me realize and confirm that this is what I want to do for a living for the rest of my life.

Month 5: Instructional Design and Evaluation with Dr. Chris Deason

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

This course helped me grow in an extremely important manner both personally and professionally. The course was a stark contrast from the previous one and helped me to remind me, as well as reaffirm the importance of doing your best. The most important reason for me to do my best is because it is a representation of me. While I may not agree with my client, how they want things done, or feel as though they degrade the quality of my work it is still important to persevere and complete the tasks at hand.

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

The information that I was able to utilize from this course in my Capstone Project was research I completed on the SAMR model, which I has always been an obsession of mine.

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

For me, the most outstanding personal triumph was completing a high-quality set of products, despite the obstacles put in front of me by my “client”. My biggest struggle was the fact that my style, personalization, and work felt as though it was taken away from me. I had to learn to be malleable in my approach and complete work as the client wanted it done, even if I would never personally do it that way.

Month 6: Digital Media and Learning Applications with Dr. Reo McBride

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

Coding is something that I have always had a personal interest in. Professionally, I think that having a base understanding of how coding works is important and increases my versatility. 

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

The concept of learners having an active role was a driving element during the design of my final app’s prototype. 

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

During the coding of the interactive quiz, I ran into a variety of technical issues. My perseverance throughout it all was my personal triumph. I could not find the answers despite checking a variety of avenues. After a lot of testing and reaching out to my peers I was able to fix my quiz and create an engaging, interactive quiz.

Month 7: Music and Audio for Instructional Design with Dr. Chris Deason

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

There were a few contributions that Music and Audio for Instructional Design made to my personal and professional development. Professionally, the newfound skills in audio editing have proven to be and will continue to be invaluable across the widest range of assets I develop. Whether it be producing video content, tutorials, audio, or editing client content the skills I developed will be used. Also, this class was largely self-taught on two fronts. The lack of direction forced me to be self-driven in my endeavors and if it were not for the addition of peer feedback, the entirety of the process would have had no outside assistance. Also, similar to in a few other courses, when issues arose, and I asked for assistance I was given none. I had to search across a multitude of mediums to find the solution to my problems which will prove to be a valuable skill in the future.

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

In the demo video for my Capstone Project I had to record and edit the voiceover. I use the skills I developed in Music and Audio for Instructional Design to produce the cleanest, and most professional asset possible.

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

My biggest triumphs came my self-driven, perfectionist nature. When facing adversity within the course I put in the time and effort to fix any issues that arose and create an asset that would be one of the best from the whole program.

Month 8: Filmmaking Principles for Instructional Design with Dr. Sharon Wyly

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

One of the most difficult parts of the development process for me is planning and organizations. Learning how to create more detailed, and succinct storyboards will be helpful when making videos in the future. 

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

For the demo reel of my Capstone Project I created a storyboard to help organize and streamline the recording process

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

Personally, I found myself experimenting with more angles and editing techniques than I would have otherwise. The success that I saw with them encourages me to continue with the experimentation in the future.

Month 9: Game Strategies and Motivation with Dr. Dan Siegel

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

Over the course of the Instructional Design and Technology Master’s program I have come to love designing and creating interactive educational assets. This class in particular helped deepen my love for it as well. Conducting research in the form of an annotated bibliography increased my pedagogical knowledge and will prove to be invaluable throughout the rest of my career.

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

In addition to SAMR, experiential learning theory was one of the bases for my Capstone Project. I also referred to the annotated bibliography multiple time in the development process.

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

The game itself was my most outstanding personal triumph from the course. This was the largest, and most intricate interactive asset I developed through the whole master’s program.

Month 10: Learning Management Systems and Organization with Dr. Reo McBride

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

Prior to the master’s program I had worked a reasonable amount with LMSs. This course greatly expanded my knowledge about the technical side of things, specifically the standards and specifications associated with them. 

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

The idea for my Captsone Project, as well as the content mapping and storyboarding, was done within this course providing a substantial foundation for the next month.

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

The research conducted during this course was monotonous due to the subject matter but I took a personal triumph in persevering to establish an important set of base knowledge that I know I will need in my career.

Month 11: Media Asset Creation with Dr. Reo McBride

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

In Media Asset Creation I developed a prototype for an Emergency Response Application for the American Red Cross. Growing up I was a professional lifeguard and I have always tried to help people when possible. This asset was not only a personal expression for me but also something that I think could be developed in the future. 

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

This course required a culmination of the skills developed throughout the rest of the master’s program. 

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

In this course, my peer and I continued to work extremely well together, and our collaboration helped improve the overall quality of both of our projects. I also plan to take this app and attempt to get it funded in hopes of helping save the lives of people in need.

Month 12: Instructional Design and Technology Final Project with Dr. Sharon Wyly

1. How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer? 

This course was a way to express myself both as an individual and an instructional designer through the creation of a demo reel and portfolio website.

2. How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Capstone Project? 

In the creation of my demo reel during this course I utilized skills in audio production as well as video editing. Other design principles acquired through multiple classes were utilized in the creation of my portfolio website. 

3. Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

Both the demo reel and the portfolio website turned out better than I imagined. I feel as though they are good representations of myself not only in the creation of the assets themselves, but in the way the present my work to potential employers as well.