DRM : Philosophy Letter

Philosophy Statement

I have been an instructional designer for more than 25 years. During this time, I have had the good fortune of learning from some exceptional instructional designers and instructors. These experiences have helped me to define, not only what is important, but also how I should apply my God-given talents to enhance the lives of others, whether personally or professionally.

The following two quotes exemplify my personal views of what training should be. Over time they have become the central “thread” for everything I do.

Any training that does not include the emotions, mind and body is incomplete; knowledge fades without feeling. –Anonymous

Entertain me while you educate me. Make me laugh. Make me cry. I want to escape from the narrow confines of my life, while deriving moral satisfaction from the hope that I am learning at the same time. –Anonymous

Combining Entertainment with Training

Whether it is movies, concerts, sporting events, or listening to motivational speakers, we all love to be entertained. For the most part, training is not entertaining, but it could and should be. I am a firm believer that instructional designers should infuse their presentations with interesting and fun activities, which will allow their audiences to experience training rather than endure it.

Research shows that learners respond best to instructional strategies that are unique, contrasting, or interesting. Therefore, as a content designer and presenter, I continually try to re-invent myself and add variety to stimulate interest and promote learning. By adding entertainment elements to training, learning is positively affected in the following ways:

Students interest in the subject material increases
Information moves more quickly through working memory and is retained longer in long-term memory
Students are motivated to learn more if the learning experiences are interesting/fun

Something in our human nature longs for that experience of complete emotional absorption, that magical moment when we are swept away. It is passion that entertains us and it is my hope that my passion for “emotion-based” teaching will positively impact my future learners.

Attributes of Good Instructors

I'm not a teacher, but an awakener. -- Robert Frost

Thinking back on the instructors I admire, I compiled a list of attributes that I believe set them apart from others—attributes I try to emulate.

Good instructors…have a good grasp of the subject material. They know the “ins” and “outs” of the equipment, system, or topic. They are able to teach the little secrets not found in the textbooks or technical documentation.
Good instructors…present the total picture of the course and continually let you know where you are on the course roadmap.
Good instructors…are enthusiastic about the need for the material being presented and they never lose that enthusiasm in subsequent classes.
Good instructors…are good storytellers—both on and off the subject. They are able to relate stories to personal experiences and paint mental images.
Good instructors…are conscientious “plate spinners.” That is, they are good at keeping their classes alive with ice breakers, stories, analogies and metaphors.
Good instructors…are perceptive about what does and does not work in the classroom or multimedia learning session. As “instructional chameleons,” they are able to change to meet the needs of the audience.
Good instructors…are altruistic. They genuinely care about their students and value their time. If necessary, they will spend extra time after class to ensure comprehension. (Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.)

Future Aspirations

I discovered that people are not really afraid of dying; they’re afraid of not ever having lived, not ever having deeply considered their life’s higher purpose, and not ever having stepped into that purpose and at least tried to make a difference in this world. -- Joseph Jaworski

Among my favorite movies are The Dead Poet’s Society, Patch Adams, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. All three movies involve characters who impact people’s lives in a unique and powerful way. I have a passion for finding and fulfilling this same purpose in my life.

Following is something I wrote in my journal eight years ago. These words capture the sincerity and conviction of what I want to do with the rest of my life.

Most pictures and photos are just okay, but others "speak" to you somehow. They strike a chord that can lead to a variety of feelings, such as: joy, sorrow, helplessness, fear, empathy, desire, etc. The photographer uses spontaneity, shadows, filters, and shades of light to create these various sentiments. Similarly, an artist can elicit feelings with his/her imagination and talent. Both professionals provide a gift to humanity through their works. And, the same can be said for many professions; e.g., actors/actresses, musicians, poets, playwrights, singers, etc. It is my desire to bring this same kind of inner pleasure or satisfaction to people as a part of learning. All my life, I have been preparing to fulfill a unique niche, and whatever that niche is, I feel confident that it will somehow involve my spontaneity, sense of humor, and sensitivity to make a difference in the lives of others.

This is my time.

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