ASTD Atlanta Technology-Based Learning SIG

UGA Master's Degree in IT

Ever wonder what's being taught in colleget today? The field of Instructional Design is evolving as students with cutting edge technology now enter the workforce.  A panel of graduates from the UGA Instructional Technology program, working for Atlanta-based companies like the Home Depot, ICF International, and AT&T will discuss their graduate studies and how the technical knowledge and experience gleaned from the program applies to their jobs today.

Guest speakers include:

Panel of UGA Instructional Technology graduates who now work at Home Depot, ICF International and AT&T.

Mike Law

Senior Manager of Learning Development

The Home Depot

Mike has been with The Home Depot for nearly 15 years and during that time, he has overseen drastic improvements in the technology and business impact of their e-learning products. His team won the Gold Medal Award for Custom Content in Brandon Hall’s Excellence in E-Learning program in 2001, 2002, and 2004. Mike has also served as an Assistant Part-Time Professor for the University of Georgia’s Dept. of Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology program in which he facilitated classes in Instructional Design, Learning Theories and Applications, and Instructional Technology. His degrees from UGA include: A.B.J., Journalism; M.Ed., Computer-Based Education; and Ph.D., Instructional Technology. Mike is currently pursuing his CPLP certification.

Jenn Lortz

Instructional Designer

The Home Depot

Jenn has been at The Home Depot for 2 years. After teaching elementary students for 14 years in private and public settings, she decided she needed to expand her career. She knew that she wanted to marry her love of the ‘theory of education’ with her passion for technology. She searched and found the program at UGA’s Learning, Design, and Technology department in 2008. Shortly after graduating and working for a small design shop in Athens, she applied to The Home Depot’s learning organization. Her work at The Home Depot has covered a broad range of learning design from instructor-led materials such as self-paced guides and job aids to eLearning and virtual courses. Her degree from UGA is an Ed.S in Instructional Design and Development. Her degrees from Vanderbilt University include an M.Ed., Elementary Education Theory and a B.S., Elementary Education.

Presentation Summary

The presenters will provide an overview of the structure, key functions, and guiding principles of The Home Depot Learning Organization.  A brief history and look back of where we came from, where we are today, and where we’re going will be provided to show how the Learning Organization has kept up with the tremendous growth and challenges of the World’s Largest Home Improvement Retailer.  The instructional design and development process will be discussed in the context of a project Jenn created for our Tool Rental Centers in which a new tool (for our department) and new set of development processes and standards were created to drive both innovation and consistency in what is delivered to our learners.

Ben Rockwood

Associate Director of Training Design

AT&T

Ben has led several curriculum design teams supporting customer care, business sales, and systems training over the past 7 years with AT&T. He is currently responsible for the mobile device product knowledge of AT&T retail store employees company-wide. His team has deployed solutions ranging from traditional web-based and instructor-led training to mobile learning and 3D simulation learning environments. Most recently Ben led an initiative piloting entirely paperless instructor-led courses with all participant materials being deployed on iPads. Ben graduated with a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Georgia.

Presentation Summary

Ben will present an overview of a new product that AT&T has implemented to replace a face-to-face live proctor program with an innovative 3D simulation course designed to train and assess sales skills and products knowledge of staff members. Learners enter a virtual store and control an avatar as they navigate the store, interacting with customers. The course is navigated with arrow keys, and requires answering multiple choice questions which then provide feedback on the choices learners have made when dealing with the customers. After completing the course, learners will have a clear understanding of the sales model.

Jessica Wals,

Sr. Instructional Designer

ICF International

Jessica Wals has been a Sr. Instructional Designer at ICF International for 5 1/2 years. ICF International is a public service firm that is tasked with projects for federal clients. During her tenure she has served as an instructional designer and project manager on both client facing and corporate projects. She founded the Studio Speakers Series at UGA , a program that brings working graduates of the UGA Instructional Technology program back to campus to provide an overview of the role of instructional designers and support to students who are about to enter the work force.

Presentation Summary

Jessica will discuss the importance of putting a critical lens on the considerations and design of a learning system. She will provide an overview of how this has been achieved by company wide use of SharePoint and a sophisticated LMS designed to take advantage of SharePoint’s customized reporting capabilities.

Refreshments will be served

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