Module 1 Reflection: Instructional Design

       
    This article has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways: First, what kind of designer am I? According to the article, teachers are to design instruction that takes them further into content and deeper thinking into the specifics of what the students are learning. Teachers are supposed to design the classroom to be focused on student-centered and learning-centered classrooms. Secondly, this article makes me ask if my lessons are designed purposefully for what I do or do they elaborate on what the students will be doing and learning? When the instructional designer has a student and learning-centered design, the focus is on what kind thinking the students do, developing critical thinking skills, on what students gain from experiences, planning outcomes not just within the classroom and asking what the students will be learning. The lesson plans are meant for the teacher and administrators, however we have to make sure the lesson plan answers the correct questions about our students learning. 

      This article also makes me ask if I spend enough time with my colleagues to unwrap the standards we facilitate? It says the "deep work" can be done independently, but as I just moved to Kindergarten this year, I believe I should take advantage of what my grade level can teach me. When I first started teaching, I was always afraid to ask questions, but then I realized that teachers are constantly learning too. We are learning from each other and our students daily if we are open to it. This type of design may take extra time and effort, but if we focus on the outcome of the lesson instead of the activities, we will be planning smarter not harder. Overall, this article has brought on great questions about planning or instructional design. I hope to use this information in my present and future classroom to better my instruction and classroom.