So why and where has this confusion coming from? Hasn't it been addressed so long and why ? Isn't it then a major problem but a localized one ?
The consumption of services from ID requires a constant marketing pitch.
- ID role requires language proficiency as a primary skill, any person with good language skills feels ID is a logical next step. This is possible but often the argument is confused with good communication skills which is different.
- Further, a trainer, who has their material and conducts training, feels parting with their material to a non-subject matter specialist and depending on good output is not an appealing feature.
- Cost of ID services are always priced higher in comparison to other skills by the industry.
- Often the roles of subject experts, trainers and ID's blur. Hence IDs do a bit of all and may be others too feel can chirp in.
Few overlooked impressions of an ID that always strike me as a Manager of e-Learning team are:
1. A good ID differentiates good content from available noise (mire of content)
2. An ID binds context to content and decouples the information from subject materials.
3. An ID, as opposed to Trainer or Subject expert, takes side with users and sees content through user lens.
4. An ID is a good teacher (am not sure how much this skill is useful, though).
5. A good ID, makes for interesting reading course materials.
6. An ID tailors a course to the audience. A trainer and teacher take these tailored courses to the audience with proper hand holding of the materials. A subject expert, shares all they know, while ID assists the subject expert to delineate the appropriate material suited to the audience.
7. An ID is equally creative as a visual designer and combines the expertise towards better user experience.
8. While ID writes explicit instructions most times, they provide subtle cues to assist in remembering facts, figures, points.
Any more points you could think of ? Please leave your impressions in the comments section.
To take the points one-by-one:
ReplyDelete1. Isn't it then a major problem but a localized one ?
I think it is a localized problem, especially in organizations for whom the core business is not e-learning. In such cases, e-learning is often viewed as an application of technology to host content online. It becomes another sub-function of IT. The outcome is often a role confusion, not only for the ID but for the rest of the team as well.
With organizations where the core business is e-learning, the roles are also usually well-defined.
Each role has its part to play on the stage of e-learning and each role is important for the end product to be effective. That is, have a positive impact on the performance of the learners of the e-learning program.
2. One such skill is "Information Architect"...
Yes, I agree that an ID has to be an Information Architect, but also much more. S/he has to layer/architect/design the information from a learner's point of view. Hence, the importance of a teaching experience. Without knowing how humans learn, it is impossible to be a good ID. Some people know instinctively, but I strongly feel it is important to know/understand how a learner sifts/assimilates information. It is important to know how to present information such that it will be converted to performance output.
3. An ID is a good teacher (am not sure how much this skill is useful, though)...
An ID has to be a good teacher (at least by instinct...:)
4. ID role requires language proficiency as a primary skill, any person with good language skills feels ID is a logical next step.
This is where an ID's role is often confused with that of a Content Writer. An ID must have a strong language proficiency but more so if one is a Content Writer. Yes, an ID has to often double as a Content Writer as well. But the roles/skills required are very very distinct.
Just to give an example: When I am gathering content and analyzing it to gauge its nature, and creating a Course Design Blueprint, I am being an ID. Here, I need to understand the nature of the content and how learners would process it.
When I am looking at the blueprint, and following the guidelines set there to rewrite the content for an online presentation, I am primarily a Content Writer. The roles merge a bit too because a good Content Writer will try to make the content learner friendly, which is also an ID's role. Here, I need to be able to take the raw material with all its jargon and present it using simple, unambiguous words. This calls for language and editing skills.
This post has set me thinking and I am going to try and delineate the roles, as I think of them, in my blog.
This has also set me thinking about my skill-sets...:) I have so much to learn and time is so short...