Well, not actually so much a habit but rather a way of thinking about designing instruction. This week has been a challenge for Julie and I developing our Constructivist lesson for class this Saturday. Throughout the program at Penn State we spend a lot of time on the Dick and Carey model and breaking down it’s parts. Even though I’m a relatively novice instructional designer, this model has become somewhat second nature to me and guides my thinking about design. I personally prefer a lot of structure and that’s why I believe I respect the model the way I do. Although I recognize that we sometimes have to adapt the model to our specific learning situation, having a system that provides a framework and logical progression of designing learning works well for me. It’s been a challenge designing a lesson this week without providing too much direction to the learner. I find it difficult to give up control and instead guide the learner to discover what they need to know on their own.

1. How are we sure the learners will come to the right conclusion and learn the information we’ve determined they need to know?
2. How do we decide when the learners are going off track?
3. Who defines the right track – the learner or the ID that’s completed needs assessments to determine what the learner needs to know?

I have a lot of questions and look forward to experiencing Constructivism first hand tomorrow during our lesson. Perhaps the answers will become clearer. Stay tuned.

I’m excited to finally be posting a blog.  It took it being required for my current class to happen but never the less, here it is.  I look forward to sharing my “lessons learned” and observations as a new instructional designer.  I’m also looking forward to exploring Constructivism through my first class of the fall semester at PSGV.  Within the next few days I’ll be posting about my first day of my Designing Constructivist Learning class.  Stay tuned.