Why Join The Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator Certificate Program?
A note from Shawntay
In my role as chief Trainologist, founder of The Instructional Design Company, and creator of The Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program, I get to follow along with all my students on their instructional design journeys. It is so inspiring to watch my students grow!
The community that students of the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator join supports them beyond their time in the program. So, I often get to celebrate the successes of my former students. I also often hear how the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator program helped them reach their goals.
I’m so pleased to hand this article over to my guest blogger, Joanie Musser. Joanie is an Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator alumni and an active member of both the private Accelerator community and the Hangout Facebook group for instructional design lovers of all levels. I can’t wait for you to read about her instructional design journey in this blog. If you want to hear more about Joanie’s real instructional design work, check out the panel interview below.
Why Did I Choose the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator Certificate Program?
In the Fall of 2020, I was searching for an instructional facilitator or support position on LinkedIn. I came across the career term, ‘Instructional Design’. Reading through a few job descriptions, I realized that the work I had been doing over the past eight years since I had left the classroom was essentially Instructional Design. I just didn’t know it!
In order to learn more, I found a few instructional design groups on Facebook that I began to follow. That’s how I came upon the Hangout Facebook Group. I was energized by participating in Facebook live events that were being promoted by the Instructional Design Company.
The Hangout Challenge
So, when Shawntay Skjoldager advertised her Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it. I had no idea there were prizes. It was just exciting to be challenged with Instructional Design tasks that allowed me to apply what I already knew about instruction as an educator, and brought my attention to what I needed to learn to pursue a career in Instructional Design.
I was hooked. Mostly because of Shawntay’s teaching style. You know, if you were ever an educator, some teachers have “with-it-ness.” They know how to deliver instruction in a scaffolded manner. Additionally, they know how to provide the right amount of direct instruction, with the right amount of guided practice, and follow up with the perfect feedback. And then, there’s those who just don’t. Shawntay has it!
I knew that if I wanted to learn the skills I was missing, and build a portfolio, I had to have her as my “Trainologist.” I began the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program in the Spring of 2021.
What I most enjoyed about the Accelerator Program
“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” ~ Henry Ford
This quote is so true in relation to The Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program. Being a part of a triad and participating in both the Hangout and Accelerator Facebook groups was inspirational in increasing my motivation, my productivity, my task performance, and my own sense of belonging in the world of Instructional Design. Who said working or learning remotely from home was lonely?
I’ve found that in the world of Instructional Design, you’ll begin to learn more about the many roles or hats an ID wears, and where your strengths lie. Shawntay has another blog post about this. I really enjoy the role of the Analysis and Design Instructional Designer, but you know what? I learned in the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program just how much I revel in developing content!
What Do You Want to Get out of an Instructional Design and Tech Certificate Program?
Do you want to design and develop amazing PowerPoint presentations? Yep, the program has that. Curating visual media is also energizing. Finding the right photo or quick video clip to accompany a presentation is simply gratifying.
Do you want to produce, edit and publish digital media in Adobe Premiere Pro for eLearning? Yep, the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program has that! To be honest, Adobe Premiere Pro has become my most favorite tool. I use it to edit my audio for podcasts, incorporate in and out music to presentations, to mp4 photo slide shows, and even to vacation videos.
Do you want to create interactive eLearning in Articulate Storyline? Yep, the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program has that too. It’s paired with live coaching sessions, so that you can share what you’ve learned for feedback, ask questions about triggers, layers, buttons, timeline, etc, or simply eavesdrop on a session to extend your knowledge.
These tools I’ve mentioned are just a glimpse at what I have learned in the Instructional Design and Tech Accelerator certificate program. There’s so much more, and you can use each element as an asset in your online portfolio. Take a look at a few of the Accelerator Alumni portfolios.
What’s even more exciting? Before I completed the Accelerator program I had a working portfolio. Additionally, I had an opportunity to interview with a higher education institution. Although I initially declined the full-time remote position due to personal reasons; I did accept their offer to be a contract instructional designer. It’s been almost a year since I began my career in Instructional Design.
Life after the Accelerator Program
Where am I on my journey? While it’s not the most popular or necessary route, I did choose to pursue a graduate degree in Instructional Design and Technology with a focus on eLearning. I’m set to graduate in 2023. In the meantime, I joined the local ATD chapter and am volunteering at their sponsored learning conferences, with the goal to submit proposals to be a presenter at one or two conferences in 2023-24.
This summer I’m hoping to get my podcast up, running, and published, all while I’m still participating in as many events in the Accelerator and Hangout Facebook communities as I can. I’m still adding assets to my portfolio, and pursuing job posting on Linkedin to stay focused on my goals. Everyone’s journey is different. I’ve chosen to become part of several Instructional Design communities to build my “ID Tribe.” Very soon in the future, I’ll finally apply for a corporate Instructional Design position.
