What’s Your Design Signature?

I once had to work on networking several buildings within a 50 acre campus that had to be wired. While collecting information and data on the present wiring within this large campus with a local phone company installer we made an incredible discovery. As we checked each phone connection terminal we found wiring with a distinct pattern developing. After opening panel after panel, some of the wiring stood out because visual clues left behind by the installer. This made for easy, quick identification. Plus, we found mini colored tags made from colored tape indicating specific office lines within each building. This “signature” pattern followed throughout the entire campus. And to top it all off, the phone company installer knew the name of the person who had this “signature” method of designing, installing and maintaining phone systems within large buildings. And he also knew that this job was going to be much, much easier for us since the “signature” style of the retired installer had created a design map for us. So, how does this story relate to the ID business?

All ID’s should develop an ID “signature” that not only advertises your skill, organizational skills and professionalism but is immediately identifiable by all within the industry because it makes the revision or updating process of our designs easier. How can this be done?
First, focus on your naming conventions. For example if you have linkage to MS Word documents within your ID product, start the name of each of those files with the letters “DOC_” thus all Doc files will be organized within one group without using all kinds of folders to organize information. So, within a second of opening your ID product, a professional sees one element of your “signature”. Do the same with other files such as using “PICT_” or “JPEG” before your graphics which organizes all your graphics into one location. Keep following this pattern will all of your files. Can you see the “signature” developing?

Another way of creating a “signature” involves notations. Always include a file within your projects with a flowchart of the project in a visual format. Thus, within seconds your “signature” is again recognized and will make the revisions much easier.
How can these “signatures” help you as a virtual designer? They become your “signature” business card that travels with every design you complete. They also demonstrate your excellent ID skills and leave an lasting impression upon everyone. Thus, this becomes a priceless advertisement that speaks for itself. So, start today developing your ID “signature” and know that each design your release will carry your reputation within its structure for all to recognize.

Life As A Virtual ID – Always Be Prepared!

As you start your workday in your PJ’s with coffee in hand you realize there are many advantages to being a virtual ID and working from home. But wait, the lights are not flashing, there’s no glow radiating from the magic box that connects you to the outside world. Oh no! Your router is not working!
And then the realization hits– being a virtual ID working from home also means “you” are the IT department who not only has to repair the home network, but you also must have extra hardware, software, backup systems and remote storage for files. And even more important than the strategies previously mentioned you must have an alternative virtual workplace within driving distance that offers the best in working environments. And how do you find these places?
First, realize you are just like any other business and you need an emergency plan. And this emergency plan will mean that you will have to spend the time investigating and visiting local virtual workplaces. First, start with developing a check-off sheet with the following:

a. List all of your office supplies that you will need to take with you if you have to leave your virtual home office.
b. Make printed copies of important files that you need to complete your job and place them in folders in a portable basket or file carton.
c. Don’t forget the all important jump drive, cords, internet credit card and cell phone.

Now its time to start investigating locations within your local area. Start your investigation with your local libraries or college libraries and find out if wireless internet access is offered. And make sure you ask if there is a time limit on their internet access. Then, go to the next alternative – the coffee shops that offer internet access. Finally, if you have the time and energy, use a wireless hotspot detector and drive around court houses, hotels and large corporations to find wireless networks that will allow you access. Remember, if this is a real emergency you can always work from your car while using one of these hotspots.
Yes, being a virtual ID has its advantages but you must be proactive in all areas of maintaining, managing and administering your home office environment, technology and emergency procedures. So, let me leave you with this question – Do you have an emergency plan in place if your home is damaged and you must leave your home office for weeks?

Thin-Slice ID

I could have illuminated the entire U.S. as the light bulb over my head turned on while I was reading Malcolm Gladwell’s, blink!.

What if I explored thin-slicing and then applied it to the ID ( instructional design) process?

Just Google thin-slicing and you’ll find that this method has been applied to numerous computer programming languages on anything from debugging to database designs. So, why couldn’t it be applied to the ID (instructional design) process.

So with pencil in hand and a huge piece of paper I started my exploration and application of thin-slicing to the ID process. Since thin-slicing is the “automated, accelerated unconscious method of information gathering” (Gladwell, Malcolm; 2005) I decided to try it on the initial examination of a new ID project. Many times we are given pages and pages of content to be transformed into online classes or training. The linear format of the traditional face-to-face instructional method can be an ID nightmare. But, if you thin slice the content and develop a skeleton concept map of the key topics found within the content, you’ve already cut your time in half. Then, take the next thin-slicing step by fleshing out each of the concepts with only the facts while aligning the goals and objectives for the class. Once the concept skeleton has some muscle to it, you are ready to thin slice the online delivery specs by exploring the mode of delivery (hypermedia, multimedia … etc.), the user interface, navigational system, title, module headings and subheadings. Are you getting the hang of this now….incredible! At this point you have a skeleton concept map with the facts under each concept along with the goals, objectives and the basic online delivery specs.

It is now time to design the project module by module (concept by concept) with ID theory based instruction, knowledge objects and assessments. Did I stop here? No, I thin-sliced all the audio, video, animations, and visual enhancements needed in each module.

The visual tool or concept map developed provided me with a quick reference project tool where the client was able to see the relationship between concepts, activities, multimedia, video, assessments and objectives. It was interesting to see how quickly the “loose concepts” or “course fillers” surfaced since a connection to the goals or course objectives could not be identified.

As with every new adventure there are some bumps in the road, they are:

• You must be able to quickly identify the real concepts within the pages of content given to you.
• You must have a strong foundation in ID theories, online learning modes and methods.
• You must have a strong working relationship with your SME (special material expert) who will identify, explain and flesh out any concepts not mapped within the thin-slicing.
• You must allocate uninterrupted time to the initial thin-slicing since it is very difficult to start, stop, start and map when your cognitive mapping is interrupted.

Have fun thin-slicing your next ID project.

Copyright: A Topic All Instructional Designers Must Comprehend

In this rapid pace world of instructional design so many designers spend hours learning new software, reading about current research trends and exploring new interactive activities to produce cutting edge designs. Yet, we should be spending just as much time researching and applying the most current copyright regulations which can affect your product as quickly as the current trends.

Once you visit the U.S. Copyright Office there are numerous documents that can affect your training materials. Let’s just highlight a few:

a. Did you know there are specific steps for copyrighting multimedia works?

b. Do you know all the educational guidelines for copyright that allow educators to reproduce documents for classroom use? How do these copyright regulations apply to internet materials and linkage?

c. Are you aware that there are privacy and publicity rights affecting your rights to photographs with human subjects unless you have secured a release?

d. How many of you are linking directly to YouTube for instructional materials? Did you know that if you sell or gain income from those training materials the copyright changes?

Look above your head right now. If there is a big question mark there because your mind is reviewing all of the training materials you’ve developed for the past five years as you try to remember if you violated any copyright regulations, you are a good candidate for a daily visit to the U.S. Copyright Office.

Your Prescription:

Take ten minutes a day to explore: http://www.copyright.gov/