Identifies and participates in communities of practice within the field of Learning Design and Technology

Artifact: Screenshot of Ning discussion

Several years ago, I was challenged to develop more professional contacts outside my workplace than inside. I have taken this challenge to heart, engaging in thought-provoking conversations in person and through social networking.

Memberships:

• ISTE. I joined ISTE so that I could access members-only documents that would assist my efforts in designing a comprehensive plan to support teachers’ use of new technology.
• CUE. I have seen the benefits of participation in CUE through conferences, informal gatherings (“BrewCue”), and a grant that I was awarded for classroom technology.

Conference Sessions Presented:

• MERITCON at the Krause Center for Innovation.  After I completed the MERIT program, I returned to share my expertise in using technology in the classroom.
• Promethean User Conference. I was an early adopter of Interactive Whiteboard technology and helped bring the regional conference to my school district.  My contributions include presentations of a variety of topics surrounding the pedagogical and technical aspects of this technology.

Networking:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook PALDT and Purdue Online LD&T Student Groups
• Twitter Edchats
• MERIT Ning, a place for our cohort to continue to share ideas.  The attached artifact shows a discussion that I started, which turned out to have the most traffic and interest of any thread. Four years later, people are still posting links and ideas.

My classmates have already formed the foundation of my Instructional Design professional network, which I will cultivate and increase as my career grows.