The transformative power of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and communication is exemplified through a blend of personal experience and broader educational shifts. My journey from an Army instructor adapting in-person courses to digital platforms like the LMS blackboard to my current role as an instructional designer highlights the swift evolution required in educational methodologies. Pre-pandemic, the instructional design team I belonged to was a small group of four focusing on a stable demand for online learning. However, the pandemic catalyzed a seismic shift, expanding our team to 25 members and growing in response to the burgeoning demand for online and Hy-Flex (also known as Hybrid) courses.
This personal anecdote aligns with the global educational landscape's transformation, where traditional learning paradigms were upended, necessitating rapid adaptation and innovation. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology in education, as noted by Akram, Yingxiu, & Al-Adwan (2021) and insights from McKinsey & Company (2020), who observed the significant shift towards virtual classrooms and digital platforms. This shift not only ensured the continuity of education but also highlighted the critical role of instructional design in crafting engaging, accessible, and practical online learning experiences.
The experience underscores the dual nature of technology's impact on communication—its ability to bridge distances and its limitations in replicating the nuanced interactions of in-person learning. It also emphasizes the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the evolving role of instructional design in navigating the future of education. As we continue to adapt and innovate, the lessons learned from these experiences will undoubtedly shape future educational strategies, emphasizing flexibility, technological integration, and the expanding realm of instructional design.
References
Akram, H., Yingxiu, Y., & Al-Adwan, A. S. (2021). Technology Integration in Higher Education During COVID-19: An Assessment of Online Teaching Competencies Through Technological
Pedagogical Content Knowledge Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.736522
Goodman, A. (2020). Educational technology in the age of COVID. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/il/podcast/educational-technology-in-the-age-of-covid
Komentarze