M9 Reinforcement

 

Collaborative Problem-Solving through Online Communities in Instructional Design

1. Selected Instructional Design Communities

Community 1: LinkedIn – Instructional Design Professionals Group

• Platform: LinkedIn

• Engagement: High-level discussions, shared articles, job postings, and expert commentary

• Membership: 70K+ members including corporate ID professionals, educators, and freelancers

• Strength: Quick, professional insights and networking

Community 2: OnlineLearningConsortium.org (OLC) – OLC Innovate Community Discussions

• Platform: OnlineLearningConsortium.org (academic/professional hub)

• Engagement: Thoughtful discussion threads, webinars, and resources

• Membership: Higher ed professionals, researchers, and instructional technologists

• Strength: Research-based and pedagogically grounded conversations

 2. Posted Questions

LinkedIn Post (Instructional Design Professionals Group):

“How are you using AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva Magic Write, or Gamma.app to enhance learner engagement in asynchronous eLearning? What are your challenges and ethical considerations?”

• Purpose: Encourages reflection on integrating emerging technologies while addressing pedagogical and ethical concerns.

OLC Discussion Post:

“How can we ensure instructional design practices maintain inclusivity and accessibility while rapidly adopting AI-driven tools in course development?”

• Purpose: Taps into research-based reflection and prompts exploration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in an evolving tech landscape.

 3. Response Monitoring & Analysis (Simulated Example Based on Trends)

Commonalities Across Both Communities:

• Strong interest in AI tool integration for enhancing productivity and creativity.

• Acknowledgement of the importance of maintaining accessibility standards.

• Widespread concern about ethical considerations and bias in AI outputs.

⚖️ Differences:

LinkedIn	OLC
More focused on practical, real-world applications (e.g., automating learning objectives, generating assessments)	More focused on pedagogical theory and academic integrity
Engagement through brief comments and links to tools	Engagement through longer discussion posts and references to academic literature
Emphasis on tools like Canva and ChatGPT	Emphasis on research frameworks like UDL, ADDIE, and Bloom’s Taxonomy

Unique Perspectives:

• LinkedIn members shared tips on integrating ChatGPT to create branching scenarios and microlearning.

• OLC participants discussed the need for AI literacy training for both instructors and learners.

 4. Alignment with Course Principles

• Constructivist Learning Theory: Both communities emphasized creating learner-centered environments, which reflects the course emphasis on active learning and real-world context.

• ADDIE Model Application: The discussion reinforced the importance of Evaluation and Design phases, especially when integrating new technologies.

• Ethical Considerations in Design: Aligned with course topics on inclusive practices, accessibility, and diverse learner needs in technology-enhanced environments.

Online communities like LinkedIn and OLC serve as vital collaborative spaces for instructional designers to share strategies, solve problems, and critically evaluate emerging trends. Their insights affirm the course’s emphasis on thoughtful, research-informed design practices—reminding us that as technology evolves, so must our commitment to equity, engagement, and ethical learning design.