Emerging Technologies in Learning Design
During my recent study of new and emerging technologies, my perspective has shifted from cautious curiosity to a proactive drive to integrate these technological innovations into my professional and personal life. Adopting these technologies became inevitable, as the AI revolution, a time of transition marked by an increasing incidence of restructurings in the labor market by the rising of AI equipment usage in the everyday job market and society (Bremmer, 2023; Kessler, 2023). While this creates a level of concern as many fear is may lead to widespread layoffs and high levels of job replacement and unemployment (Danaher 2019a; Cholbi and Weber 2019), corporate executives, scholars, and experts continually assuage these fears, asserting that AI will not result in mass unemployment, but rather, it will create new job opportunities (Gordon & Gunkel, 2024). Artificial intelligence is a useful technological resource that can be utilized in countless ways to elevate our daily lives. However, the human touch will always provide a tailored, fingerprint-like level of specialty.
AI’s potential as a transformative resource spans countless opportunities. So, I began thinking to myself: how can I, as a learning designer, further implement these technologies beyond where I currently am? There are many tools they can do, let’s brainstorm some tasks they are capable of and how they can help. Therefore, I made a list of a technological tool, its abilities, and where it could benefit in the learning design process. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly or Canva for content creation, graphic creation as needed, assistance with tasks like rephrasing and shortening sentences, as well as creating personalized, unbiased feedback for all students. AI creation tools like Napkin.ai for the inspiration behind visual graphs and organizational charts, leading to inspiring designs on platforms like Canva or Adobe. Machine learning for tools like text-to-speech and other tools can provide data analytics for learner behaviors (e.g., SmartSparrow and EdApp. The Digital Institute added that Otter.ai is a transcription and note-taking platform that converts spoken content, such as lectures, interviews, and brainstorming sessions, into written text, which is highly beneficial for meetings with SMEs and stakeholders. They further add that in today’s global learning environment, DeepL is a must-have as it translates learning content into multiple languages (2024). Bolick and da Silva (2024) discussed the advent of AI tools as a means for a significant change to a long-standing design to multimedia creation practice, as AI tools can facilitate time-consuming processes and allow instructional design professionals to dedicate more time to human judgment-related tasks (Dede et al., 2021) tasks, such as ensuring content quality and rigor, as well as alignment with organizational needs. Therefore, my outlook on technology has become more comfortable, optimistic, and colorful. It feels like the technology belongs in the learning design world, rather than being a temporary guest or platform that slowly drifts away over time.
The exploration of emerging technologies transformed my outlook on technology, as they are slowly becoming embedded into the ecosystem of learning design processes, rather than temporary solutions. As an entrepreneur and military spouse, specific factors contribute to my alignment as an early adopter category within Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Early adopters are opinion leaders, and play a crucial role in endorsing and legitimizing the technology which helps to impact its adoption within a learning environment (Morgan, 2024). As an entrepreneur, being an opinion leader in your chosen field and its impact on the world is not only your profession but your life’s mission. Morgan (2024) further stated that early adopters’ acceptance of an innovation serves as a model for others and it influences the wider adoption of new learning technologies and methodologies, providing space for empathy and scope for learning. As a military spouse, I see the unique interplay between empathy and innovation. Navigating challenges such as cultural shifts abroad or advocating for others in difficult circumstances has honed these skills, enriching my approach to professional endeavors. I chose to acquire these skills before becoming a military spouse, however, I have learned just how helpful they are as a military spouse. Whether we live in a foreign country where the primary language is not English, or we have a sponsor who is new and unaware of TRICARE benefits or how to sign up for medical coverage, or they are having issues with an unsupportive family member who may simply be uneducated about the military lifestyle.
With the adjustment to the military lifestyle, I made the career change from teaching to learning design. After starting graduate school in January 2024, I began working remotely in learning design in March 2024. Since working remotely, I have realized the balance brought to my personal life. The ability to attend family events, exercise, cook, have hobbies, excel in my career, attend and enjoy graduate school, travel, and ensure as high a level of wellness as possible is a game-changer. Henke et al., (2016) found remote employees to be at a significantly lower risk of poor nutrition, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use than non-teleworkers. Additionally, multiple studies show high levels of social support and autonomy in overcoming the challenges of teleworking, such as feelings of loneliness, and in turn are associated with teleworker performance and well-being (Beckel & Fisher, 2022).
Over the past few months, I have found emerging technologies essential to growth in professional practice in learning design, but also in our everyday lives. These tools are optional, but they are also exceedingly improving and becoming increasingly helpful, creating indispensable resources that can meet the demands of a dynamic, globalized society. My journey has highlighted the importance of adopting a mindset that embraces change and collaboration – a perspective that I am passionate about cultivating in any field, but especially in a learning field to further education for future generations.
Sources:
Beckel, J. L. O., & Fisher, G. G. (2022). Telework and worker health and well-being: A review and recommendations for research and practice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 3879. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073879
Bolick, A. D., & da Silva, R. L. (2024). Exploring artificial intelligence tools and their potential impact on instructional design workflows and organizational systems. TechTrends, 68(1), 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00894-2
Bremmer, I. (2023, May 31). How the world must respond to the AI revolution. Time. https://time.com/6283716/world-must-respond-to-the-ai-revolution/
Cholbi, M., & Weber, M. (Eds.). (2019). The future of work, technology, and basic income. Routledge.Google Scholar Link
Danaher, J. (2019a). Automation and utopia. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159%2F9780674242203
Dede, C., Etemadi, A., & Forshaw, T. (2021). Intelligence augmentation: Upskilling humans to complement AI. Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://pz.harvard.edu/resources/intelligence-augmentation-upskilling-humans-to-complement-ai
Digital Learning Institute. (2024). The impact of AI on learning design. Digital Learning Institute. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.digitallearninginstitute.com/blog/ai-and-instructional-design
Gordon, J. S., & Gunkel, D. J. (2024). Artificial intelligence and the future of work. AI & Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-01960-w
Henke, R. M., Benevent, R., Schulte, P., Rinchart, C., Crighton, K. A., & Corcoran, M. (2016). The effects of telecommuting intensity on employee health. American Journal of Health Promotion, 30(8), 604–612. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.141027-QUAN-544
Kessler, S. (2023, June 10). The A.I. revolution will change work. Nobody agrees how. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/business/ai-jobs-work.html
Thank you for joining me today! Let’s keep learning altogether, as lifelong #LearningMatters.
Best,
Laura Lawson
LearningMatters, LLC
Instructional Designer
