Michael Graham

 Why I’m Here      After 16 years in K-12 education, I have seen how powerful thoughtfully designed learning experiences can be, especially when technology is integrated with purpose. I now want to play a larger role in shaping and creating experiences that reach a broader audience of diverse learners in the higher education setting.      Throughout the LDT program at ASU I have learned that designing instruction is foundationally grounded in systematic processes that encompass creativity, technology, empathy, and learning theories. Delivering effective and equitable learning experiences is my main objective as I enter the learning design field. The field incorporates a broad array of disciplines such as design thinking, media production, data analysis, psychology, and many others (Wagoner, n.d). The depth of the profession is deep, this both excites and challenges me, to explore and discover, as I work toward being able to design effective learn...

     Effective communication in the field of learning design is vital to ensure learning experiences are created in a collaborative manner that meets the needs of learners and stakeholders. As a student of learning design, I seek to gain professional communication skills by reflecting on my strengths and working on the areas where I can improve. In an effort to grow into an effective learning designer, I have outlined my strengths and needs regarding communication and developed a growth plan to develop the visual storytelling skills needed to create effective learning experiences. I have also reflected on how my current communication practices influence my identity as a future learning designer.   Communication Strength      Active listening is a strength in communication that I possess. As a special education teacher, I have developed listening skills that allow me to truly collaborate with students, families, and IEP team members. Being an acti...

       Working in education has been my career and passion for the last two decades. I have taught all grades in the K-12 setting as a special education teacher. Additionally, I have also worked as an Education Program Coordinator at the Achievement & Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas. In that role I helped to develop online state assessments for Kansas and Alaska, while managing a group of graduate research assistants.  I am currently enrolled in the  Learning Design and Technology (Graduate Certificate) Program at Arizona State University. Becoming a learning designer has been a natural progression for me. Throughout my career I have remained steadfast in my commitment to ensuring learning is accessible, inclusive, engaging, and ultimately meaningful for every student. I believe profoundly in the life-changing power of learning. Every human has a fundamental drive to grow through the attainment of understanding and application.  ...

     As we look to the future while acknowledging the past, one thing is sure: technology will continue to impact and change the way people teach, train, and learn. Online and blended learning has grown significantly since the turn of the century and is now widely used across K-12, higher education, and corporate settings. As leaders and facilitators of online and blended learning we must embrace emerging technologies and consider ethical considerations as we progress into the future. AI to Individualize Education      Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rather new technology that will soon be utilized to increase educational outcomes. In the next decade, educators will embrace the capabilities of systems like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to reshape the educational landscape.   AI will be used as personal tutors and learning guides. Learning management systems will integrate AI seamlessly so that learning can be individualized for each student. Gap...

       Online and blended learning have come to the forefront of education creating new ways to interact and deliver content. In this blog post, I will share my personal definition of online and blended learning with examples, describe the significance for educators and learners, and explain how these modalities meet learners' needs. At the end I will discuss the future of education with a final thought. Three questions will guide me as I share my insights, supported by my experiences and research as both an educator and a learner. What is Online and Blended Learning?      Online learning is the delivering and the consumption of content via the internet (Rottmann et al., 2020, p.1). The learning environment is completely virtual. Learners and instructors engage and deliver content through Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard . Flexibility for both parties is at the forefront of this method. Learners can participate at their ...