POV: Just Graduated with a Master’s in Learning Design & Technology—Here’s How It Feels
- Renelde Foiles
- Aug 12, 2024
- 5 min read
Finishing my Master’s in Learning Design and Technology (MSLDT) feels a bit like reaching the summit after a long hike—challenging, rewarding, and full of lessons learned along the way. Fresh out of my cap and gown, I’m eager to share how this journey has shaped my perspective as an instructional designer and what the process has looked like from my point of view.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the key insights and growth moments that have defined my journey. From the application of core instructional principles, to the evolution of my project management skills, I hope my experiences will inspire and inform your own path in this dynamic field.
How has your understanding of the core principles of instructional design evolved throughout the program, and how did engaging with industry professionals and real-world applications boost your confidence in mastering these foundations?
Throughout the MSLDT program, my understanding of the core principles of instructional design has dramatically changed. Initially, I had a decent grasp of concepts like learner analysis, design thinking, and the ADDIE model. However, it wasn’t until I began applying these principles in real-world scenarios that I truly started to see their impact. One turning point was my experience at the Association of Talent Development conference in 2023. Engaging with industry professionals there allowed me to see how these principles are not just theoretical but practical tools that can be applied across various contexts. For instance, during a group discussion, I spoke with a woman who designs learning experiences for the medical field. She graciously explained how she applied instructional design principles to develop a course on a new virus strain, even sketching out a flow map for me. This interaction reinforced the universality and adaptability of these principles, showing me how they can be tailored to fit any content, role, or project. Taking home that flow map sketch was a tangible reminder of how far I’ve come in mastering these foundations, and it also made me realize that continuous engagement with industry professionals is key to ongoing growth. It has since become a dream of mine to work for a company that offers the opportunity to attend such conferences in the future, allowing me to continue learning and refining my skills in this ever-evolving field.
How has your approach to conducting needs analyses evolved throughout the program, and how has this shift in planning and analysis impacted your ability to create more effective and personalized learning experiences?
Conducting needs analyses has become one of my favorite components of my design process, a shift that started unintentionally during the planning of my solo camping trip. As a former teacher, I was accustomed to backward planning, but this program made me realize I hadn’t been doing it as effectively as I thought. The most significant growth in my design approach has been learning to embed a needs analysis before creating a plan. Previously, I might have jumped straight into creating learning experiences without fully understanding the problem I was solving. Now, I see the value in identifying the problem first, ensuring that my designs are truly connected to the learners' needs. This approach aligns with Constructivist Learning Theory, which emphasizes that learners build understanding based on their experiences. By analyzing their needs first, I’m able to create more personalized and effective learning experiences that resonate on a deeper level.
How has your ability to create effective and engaging instructional materials evolved throughout the program, and how have you adapted your design approach to balance engagement with cognitive load, particularly in projects like your capstone?
My ability to create effective and engaging instructional materials has evolved significantly throughout the program, but it’s also where I’ve faced the most challenges. Transitioning from designing hands-on materials as a former elementary school teacher to creating digital content was a steep learning curve. I struggled with mastering online authoring tools and finding the right balance between engagement and cognitive load. Early in my journey with Articulate Storyline, I was excited by all the interactive possibilities, often including too many buttons and interactions, which led to cluttered navigation and inconsistent user experiences. This feedback from my peers was invaluable, prompting me to revisit and simplify my designs, especially in my capstone project. I developed a new rule for myself: if I need to give learners instructions more than once on how to interact with the content, there are too many interactions. This experience has underscored the importance of clarity and simplicity in design, ensuring that learners can focus on one aspect at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
How have you used feedback during the implementation phase to refine your designs, and what role did informal peer reviews and post-course evaluations play in enhancing the quality of your capstone project?
While I don’t love relying on a single project for multiple examples, my capstone project truly required the most evaluation, albeit informal. As a former teacher, I’ve always relied on evaluations to guide improvement, and I wanted to bring that same rigor to my capstone. I made accommodations by using ongoing informal peer reviews to refine my course design and instructional materials. Creating a post-course evaluation survey was challenging—I struggled to strike a balance between overly vague and overly specific questions, leading to a survey that felt too lengthy. Moving forward, I would revise the pre- and post-course discussion prompts to better elicit feedback on the course's value and how learners plan to apply their new knowledge. This would allow for more targeted insights without overwhelming participants. Although I used informal methods, they were crucial in enhancing the quality of my capstone, and I’m eager to implement more formal evaluation practices in future projects.
How have you adapted your project management strategies to accommodate your workflow, particularly in managing time and resources, and how have you applied these strategies to the design of your capstone course?
Project management and time management have been significant areas of growth for me throughout the MSLDT program. My brain often leads me to hyperfocus for extended periods, which can be both a strength and a challenge. While I can deeply immerse myself in projects, I sometimes find myself getting stuck in the details, which can cause me to spin my wheels. To manage this, I’ve developed strategies that lean into my strengths while keeping me on track. One approach that has been particularly effective is breaking projects into smaller, manageable tasks. This method helps me stay focused and prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. I noticed that many courses in the MSLDT program employed a similar structure, which I found so effective that I implemented it in my capstone course. By embedding sections of the camping planner into each lesson, learners could create each part of the planner as they progressed through the course, mirroring my approach to managing larger projects. While I also use tools like Trello, I’ve found that organizing my work into Google folders for each module has been the most effective strategy for me. This method allows me to manage my workload more efficiently, prevent burnout, and approach my work with fresh eyes.
Completing my Master’s in Learning Design and Technology feels like the end of one adventure and the beginning of another. Just as every hike offers new perspectives and challenges, this journey has equipped me with the tools and insights to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of instructional design. As I step forward into the professional world, I’m excited to continue exploring, learning, and creating impactful learning experiences. If my journey resonates with you or you’re interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect and see how we can chart the next path together.
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