Sub-Badge: ID Professional Communicator (2 Challenges)

Challenge One

Criteria: Evidence must demonstrate asking for, providing critique, and utilizing feedback to improve one’s own performance or work.

Artifact: Small-Scale Lit Review

Reflection

Regarding the competency of "soliciting, accepting, and providing constructive feedback," I am using a small-scale literature review that was an assignment in EDCI 513. The assignment involved writing a brief literature review based on one of the TED talks provided in the course. The instructor provided feedback on the final draft, and I revised it accordingly.

The purpose of this paper was to choose a TED talk from a selection of TED talks and write a brief literature review. I selected a TED talk on the evolution of online education in higher learning. In this review, the TED talk served as a starting point. I had to include additional sources to ensure my paper was well-rounded. After I submitted it, the professor provided his edits. His revisions included corrections to grammar and formatting. Based on his feedback, I made the necessary corrections and submitted a revised final version.

When I wrote this paper, I hadn't written one in a while. Going back to the basics was somewhat tricky, but being able to submit my paper for useful feedback and make changes gave me a sense of responsibility and showed me what I needed to improve. It also gave me perspective on what to look for when revising future design products.

Challenge Two

Criteria: Evidence must demonstrate the conveying of ideas in writing using effective techniques and formats suited to help the reader best understand; compose clear, concise, and complete messages.

Artifact: Diamond model job aid

Reflection

For the competency of “delivering presentations that effectively engage audiences and communicate clear messages,” I am using the diamond model job aid I created in EDCI 513. The assignment was to create a job aid for an instructional design model assigned to me by the professor.  The instructional design model had to be laid out in the form of a zodiac sign. 

The job aid I created involved learning more about the diamond model itself. I had to convey what the diamond model was while making it fun and engaging to read. My job aid included the model's traits, the history and context of the model, the advantages and disadvantages of using the model, and little-known facts about the model. I also created a sign to accompany the model and its meaning.

While working on this job aid, it reminded me of a time when I used to create briefs in the Navy. The briefs I prepared were usually presented to higher-ranking officials and required the most up-to-date, accurate information to help them make informed decisions. Although the environment was different, the premise was the same. Since those briefs were going to a large audience, including some high-ranking people, I had to ensure the information was accurate, concise, and readable.

Reflecting on this job aid, I realized that many of the factors related to this assignment and competency are things I have been doing for years, just in a different role. It felt good to create something I could actually use to explain one of the ID models to an audience someday.  I look forward to creating more job aids to help people learn and understand different subjects in the future.