The Open ISD Project

Instructional Systems Design might be defined as leveraging what we know about human cognition, learning and learning theory, certain business processes, data analysis, multimedia development principles, and a host of other topics to improve learning and performance outcomes in a variety of settings. 

In attempting to define what some consider an ellusive role/job/approach to learning,  I am really trying to say there are many, many ways to approach instruction. When people ask for my help in desining training and educational programs, I feel compelled to ask many questions. One of my teachers suggested I read Edgar Schein, particularly his books Helping and Humble Inquiry As an adherent to Dr. Schein's principles, I am only truly helping people when I carefully listen to people who ask for my help, act in ways that are meaningful and helpful to them, and recognize that I must be humble when I am in positions of authority, seniority, or advantage over others in order to receive valid and reliable information from them and also receive the type of help I might need in order to have success.

The above paragraph is related to my project because something occurred to me recently that should be no surprise to any instructional designer: The industry accepted development tools for ID work are prohibitively expensive for students and others just starting their careers. This is fodder for a post I will soon write.

I have heard several IDs lament the cost of hardware, applications, storage space, and other services to the extent that some never realize their own professional goals. One colleague decided to work a retail freelance job in their spare time rather than pursue freelance work in part because the cost of entry seemed too much. While there are many fine vendors, many of whom have reasonably-priced packages, purchasing multiple applications, a medium-to-high-end computer, and various peripherials quickly amounts to a significant purchas price. Additionally, many packages are not purchased, they are rather rented on a monthly/yearly basis. 

This seems unjust and counter to the spirit of education and self-improvement. Years ago, Jim Groom proposed applying a DIY, devil may care approach to making educational technology work and coined the term EDUPUNK. He wrote we should bring Clash into the classroom and had my instant attention.

So even though it has been several years, many have expanded upon Groom's ideas, and possibly little of what I will do stands to be original, Instructional Design needs a personalized dose of do it yourself. We need to demonstrate we can make meaningful training and education interventions and solve instructional problems effectively, cheerfully, and above all- cheaply.

More to come. I should stay and definitely so should you.