Joins the Instructional Design Faculty as Instructor for INSDSG-604- Communication Theory for Organizations

When you speak with Carol Sharicz, it is evident that she is passionate about providing students with tools that are immediately relevant to their current work environments.  “When I switched from working in industry to academia, I promised myself never to teach without doing” explains Carol. “I feel it’s necessary that I put theory into practice in my own work, so I can provide my students with practical tools and implementation strategies.”  In 604, students will be encouraged to apply the different communication tools they are learning to themselves, the groups they are involved in and their organizations.  The students’ work will culminate in an action learning assignment where they will develop strategies for overcoming a targeted communication challenge in their own organizations.

Carol has a wealth of experience in instructional design, organization development and training.  While Senior Instructional Designer for Motorola, she created their leadership development program. She also re-designed and expanded the Suffolk University Adult and Continuing Education program.  She currently works as a consultant for various corporations, municipalities and non-profits. “I am so excited to join the community of learners in the Instructional Design Graduate Program at UMass,” Carol explains.  “I look forward to creating an engaging and fun learning environment in partnership with the students.”

Like her predecessor, retired professor of 604 Bill Braun, Carol’s research focuses on systems thinking, leadership and learning communities.  “Bill was a great help to me.  He spoke with me, shared his insights and passed on articles.”

Instructional Design Graduate Program Faculty and the Instructional Technology Support Team Share Tools and Strategies

From left to right: Jane Buckley, Ellen Foust, Judith Erdman, JoAnne Powers, Gene Shwalb and Jouliana Bosneva.

During the last few days of summer, colleagues in the Instructional Design Graduate Program and Instructional Technology Support Team geared up for the new academic year by sharing innovative practices in online learning.  Judith Erdman, the Interim Director of the Instructional Design Graduate Program hosted ID faculty and staff in her home for an evening of shared practice and effective methodologies that support engaging and interactive online learning.  One highlight of the evening was Gene Shwalb, the Interim Manager of Instructional Support and a faculty member in the Instructional Design Graduate Program, providing an interactive activity using the Blackboard Collaborate mobile app.  Pulling out their Smart Phones, the group actively learned about the interface and some of the capabilities in this new approach to learning.  Another highlight was Instructional Design Graduate Program instructor Jane Buckley sharing some of her tools and strategies for creating collaborative group work experiences for students. The evening was a successful mixer where collegial company and fabulous food were enjoyed by all.

Lesli Woodruff at work. The arrows point toward a copy of Bloom’s Taxonomy and other instructional design tools she uses on daily basis.

Lesli Woodruff, a 2012 graduate of the ID Program, works as an instructional designer for Nuance Communications, the company behind speech recognition technology, the likes of which are found in mobile devices, car navigation systems and various medical transcription systems. “In this industry the technology and tools are always changing,” explains Lesli. “Quick turn-around, micro-modules are becoming more common and training needs to be scenario-based and immediately relevant to the learner. But no matter the changes in technology, the fundamentals of adult learning and the design methodologies taught in the Instructional Design Program are things I rely upon every day.” Her advice for current students, “Don’t underestimate core courses like 601 and 602. They provide a foundation for everything else you can build upon and adapt, but also know that you will be a life-long learner and need to keep current on the newest tools and technology.”

Lesli graduated from the Instructional Design Masters of Education Graduate Program in December of 2012. She found her current job through a posting on the GIDA website:  Graduate Instructional Design Association website and works with two other ID Program graduates, Leslie Combe and Sandra Tranfaglia.  Lesli provided a link to a brief elearning module explaining what her team of instructional designers do at Nuance.  Please see this link to learn more:  https://lms.nuance.com/content/portfolio/story.html

Graduate Student Mish McIntyre Presents at NERCOMP

Inside a burnt out factory, down a dark hallway where a naked light bulb flickers and hums, there is an open green door, its surface scraped and worn. This is the office of the Mr. Humbart Nicklus, the sole accountant for the Mericul Automotive Parts factory. The office is in disarray, stacks of invoices and memos with “last notice” typed in neat letters, lie scattered on the floor and furniture. A one way flight confirmation to Peru lies on top of a dirt stained keyboard. It is now your job, with the help of your team, to put the books back in order. Your employer, a self-made entrepreneur, will be here in one week to close the books on this business and position the assets for buyout. Make sure to apply all that you have learned in Accounting 101 so far.

Wouldn’t you like to take this accounting class? This assignment is created using game-based design pedagogy. Where gamification only uses a few principles, game-based design utilizes game elements and rich storytelling to engage learners in blended and online courses. Mish McIntyre, a graduate student in the Instructional Design Graduate Program, recently presented a Gameful Learning Professional Workshop in September for the NorthEast Regional Computing Program (NERCOMP). “This sort of game-based design can take a textually-based course and transform it into a vibrant, dynamic learning experience. My goal is to add game-based learning to the higher education and instructional design toolbox. Learning effectiveness, engagement and real-world application are easily obtainable through game-based design,” Mish states. “Game Designers use the ADDIE model to create games. So we already have understanding of the development process. The big part is learning game mechanics and terminology.”

Mish McIntyre is a working Boston artist, educator, and instructional designer. She received her MFA from Massachusetts College of Art & Design and her M.Ed from Suffolk University. Mish currently is the Foundation Studies Program Coordinator at the New England School of Art & Design (NESAD) at Suffolk University. In addition, she is an Instructional Design Assistant for Instructional Services at UMASS Boston. Mish is also a Thesis Advisor for the MA in Graphic Design Program at NESAD.

For more information about game-based design contact Mish McIntyre on twitter @mishmcintyre, or email at mishmcintyre@gmail.com.