Instructional Design and Rich Media

I was slightly disappointed in the chapters of the book, Trends and Issues In Instructional Design and Technology, when discussing instructional design for corporate and military. The tone seems to be one of advice on what and what not to do as an ID consultant for corporations and especially the readings about the military. Regardless of my impression of the writing, the chapters did bring forward some excellent information about instructional design within the context of those two systems.

The concept of rapid prototyping appeals to my training as a computer programmer. In an earlier post I referenced RUP as being similar to research design. Obviously, rapid prototyping is much like RUP as well, as Dr. Lou pointed out to me. The earlier you can get a product, be it software or instruction, in the hands of the client, the better the result and in a much reduced time frame.

The concept of team building that is stressed in the military can be used in everyday education. Using small, teams, or social groups can greatly enhance the education of students. Additionally, the use of simulations in the military has a long history. During WWII the Army Aircorp would take those soldiers that man B-57 gun turrets in the backs of trucks driving on bumpy dirt roads. Each GI had a shotgun and they were required to shoot clay pigeons that popped up out of seemingly nowhere to learn how to lead a target. This exercise was designed to simulate shooting at German/Japanese aircraft during combat.

Today’s military has taken the simulation practice to another level. Not only do they train their own soldiers in tactics and teamwork during their rigorous training program, they begin that training before they are even enlisted. In 2003, the US Army launched a first person shooter game called America’s Army (http://www.americasarmy.com/). This simulation is not only a recruiting tool for the Army, it is a massively multiplayer online game where the game player joins units and must operate within the structure of that unit. The game teaching the potential recruits unit tactics and the culture of the Army and is a good example of instructional design meeting a great rich media platform.