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= = =Part 1: Discuss and Collaborate on the Theories and Processes of ID in a "Team Wiki"=

Masters-trained instructional designers should be conversant with a variety of instructional design approaches and models, in order to be able to choose the best methods for each and every unique instructional situation. As you may already know, every learner, organization, and learning need is different, and the same approaches in one setting may not be appropriate in another. Sometimes, finding out what works is more a matter of trial and error than anything else. However, as you develop expertise in applying instructional design models to real-world problems, you will become more adept at making diagnoses and coming up with solutions that work.

The first step in developing that expertise is to explore the available models and thoughts about instructional design that are available today in more depth. Up until this point, you may have explored just a few models, notably Morrison, Ross, and Kemp's circular model of ID. Now, you will have the chance to learn about many more, including those developed during the beginnings of ID to those developed much more recently. You will also discover that not all ID models are systematic and linear. As you read and explore, it is hoped that you will begin to develop a more refined understanding of ID as a practice, and that you will begin to develop a personal style and approach when it comes to creating instruction. The neat (and something perplexing) part about ID is that every practitioner is unique, and brings his or her own personal philosophies and personality to the practice. This allows for creativity and flexibility, turning the design of instruction into something more like art than just a series of steps.

As you explore the readings below, as well as others that you might investigate on your own through the Purdue Calumet Library or Google Scholar, take notes on anything that strikes you, or causes you to question what you have learned. These notes may come in handy as you work with your classmates to develop a database of instructional design models and theories in a wiki.


 * Silber, K.H. (2010). A principle-based model of instructional design. In K.H. Silber & W.R. Foshay (Eds.), Handbook of improving performance in the workplace, volume 1: Instructional design and training delivery (pp. 23-52). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
 * Merrill, M.D. (2002). First principles of instruction. Educational Technology, 50(3), 43-59.
 * Reiser, R. A. (2001). A history of instructional design and technology: Part II: A history of instructional design. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(2), 57-67.
 * Gustafson, K.L., & Branch, R.M. (2002). Survey of instructional development models (4th ed.). Washington, DC: ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED477517).
 * Roytek, M.A. (2010). Enhancing instructional design efficiency: Methodologies employed by instructional designers. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(2), 170-180.
 * Fox, E. J. (2008). Contextualistic perspectives. In J. M. Spector, M. D. Merrill, J. van Merriënboer, & M. P. Driscoll (Eds.) Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (3rd Ed.). (pp. 55-66). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Your wiki can be found right here! Now, before you have flashbacks to the team wiki project of EDCI 57500, note that each member of the class will have responsibility over one page within the overall wiki site. You will not be asked to edit each other's work (although, if you feel the need to ask for help and collaborate together, please feel free to do so).

So, your task is relatively straightforward: Join the wiki and post summaries, insights, application ideas, and questions regarding the different page categories presented in the wiki, to begin developing a comprehensive scholarly database that future students of ID may be able to learn from, and add to as well. This task will help you synthesize your readings to make sense of everything you are learning, as well as help you provide evidence that you understand these important concepts.

Each student is asked to contribute the following on the wiki in order to obtain full credit for this activity:


 * Choose one theory or model of instructional design to focus on (i.e., Merrill's first principles; Morrison, Ross, and Kemp's circular model; Dick and Carey's systematic design of instruction; Silber's ID principles; rapid prototyping, etc.).
 * Provide a summary of your chosen topic, including notable publications and theorists related to it.
 * Provide at least ONE example of the application of your chosen topic to the ID practice (i.e., describe a scenario where rapid prototyping might be useful, or describe a learning problem where Merrill's first principles might lead to a good solution)
 * If appropriate, provide a graphical representation (either an existing image or one you have created) of the model or theory you have chosen.
 * Be sure to provide a list of references in APA 6th edition style.


 * Use the page tools at the left to enter existing pages or to add new ones as needed.**