Staying up to date on instructional design technology is essential for creating practical coursework that takes advantage of cutting-edge tech. Additionally, it makes it easier to remain efficient while launching new projects and ensures learner engagement, as technology commonly assists with both areas.
Whether you’re an instructional design professional or a company that wants to remain current, it’s wise to embrace specific approaches to stay up-to-date on emerging trends. Fortunately, many of the best strategies are simple, allowing you to remain informed without excessive effort. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are some places to start.
Join Professional Organizations
Professional organizations diligently focus on instructional design fieldwork to inform members of new technological advancements. By joining these groups, you are typically privy to any discoveries they uncover. Plus, you’ll receive regular publications – such as e-newsletters or print magazines – that aim to keep you informed.
Essentially, you can remain up-to-date on instructional design technology through the carefully curated information the organization provides its members. Additionally, professional organizations commonly reach out to members directly, reducing the need for manual research.
Attend Industry Conferences
Industry conferences aren’t just an excellent way to learn about instructional design technology trends; they’re often opportunities to explore new tech firsthand. Many conferences feature speakers who will take deep dives into recent advances, often offering demonstrations. Plus, vendors creating new solutions are usually present, and many will let you try out their technology on-site or by arranging free trials of cutting-edge software solutions.
Attending conferences also lets you engage with other professionals working in the field. As a result, it’s easy to expand your network to include individuals at the industry’s forefront. Often, that makes accessing information more effortless, as many professionals will share what they learn with their networks.
Follow Thought Leaders
By following instructional design thought leaders on social media, you’ll see posts in your feed discussing new advancements and trends preparing to reshape the industry. Plus, you can read insights from those recognized as innovators in the field, giving you access to some of their expertise and guidance.
Review Tech News Publications
Tech news publications aren’t always focused on instructional design technology, but many will discuss new advancements that are particularly noteworthy. By receiving emails from tech news publications or setting up alerts for stories in the instructional design category, you can get valuable information straight to you. You can also supplement this with Google alerts of similar services, making it easier to gather information from various relevant publications.
At Clarity, we have over 30 years of experience in L&D, giving us the knowledge and expertise to provide support and guidance to stay up to date on instructional design technology as you pursue new projects. Clarity can be your candidate search ally if you’re trying to expand your internal L&D team, connecting you with top talent when needed.
Contact us today.
