Technically, I believe I was able to finish ahead of my own timeline, mainly because I think I created one that was slower than the course requirements. I have only really gotten behind on addressing peer review feedback and course videos overall (but I should take care of that this weekend). I should be able to finish up the module intro videos this weekend by deadline. Really the videos were the largest aspect that I got behind on, but that was due to a technical problem I will discuss next. But I was able to work ahead on content during that time, so it all worked out in the end I believe.

The main technology challenge I have faced is with creating the videos. As a full time instructional designer, I was used to having others produce the videos we used (since I am not the subject matter expert). We have a video production crew where I work that handles all of this part of the process. Finding a time when my house is quiet to record videos is difficult, especially with a little extremely active person in the house. I think if you listen close enough, you can actually faintly hear him in the background of the first video. Plus, my computer at home seems to do a horrible job of recording audio. The built in microphone picks up the hard drive clicking the whole time (seems like someone would have thought of a way to deal with that before selling it). Any microphone I use sounds bad (probably because I am use to listening to professional podcasts with expensive microphones).

There have been no real people problems with this project since I am working with myself. The peer reviewers gave me great feedback that really helped. A few places I had to skip the advice directly because my design paradigm and audience have specific requirements, but I still addressed those issues in some way because if the reviewers have that question, someone else might.

I have been working for several years on major projects with hard deadlines, so what I mainly learned in the process was how I would not want to do these projects while working from home. Well, at least until the little guy is in school full time. And if they made sure to have a media production team for me. If I do this again, I would probably look to create several short courses that focus in on more specific topics. Training for an organization like I tried to design for just doesn’t fit well into the typical University credit hour schedule.

My strength as a designer is my experience in the field. I have dealt with many of the major and minor issues of being an instructional designer (and I still like doing it, so I guess that is a plus). Of course, that also serves as a weakness or place to improve – gaining experience also gives a false sense of security in your own knowledge and abilities, so you can stop stretching and growing. So the areas that I need to grow in are professional development and expanding my horizons as an instructional designer.