Instructional Designers in Community
Connection and collaboration were the goals of the first in-person meeting of the FSU Instructional Design Community of Practice. After two virtual sessions, instructional designers across campus met in June at the Office of Digital Learning (ODL). The informal gathering was designed to strengthen connections, reflect on shared work, and spark ideas for the future. ODL’s Liying Miao, Dr. Annette Jones, and Brittany Endress facilitated the meeting.
A dozen instructional designers from a range of disciplines participated, including the colleges of Business, Social Work, and Social Sciences and Public Policy, as well as the Career Center, Graduate Student Resource Center, and Transfer Student Success at Undergraduate Studies.
“I didn’t realize how many instructional designers we have on campus, so it’s interesting to hear about what they do, projects they are working on, and ways we might be able to collaborate,” said Dr. Annette Jones, ODL instructional development faculty. “This was our first time seeing everyone in person, and while meeting online is convenient, being able to sit around a table together and discuss projects with other instructional designers definitely added another layer of connection.”
“Facilitating our Instructional Design Community of Practice has felt like building a vehicle alongside a team of brilliant engineers from different fields. Every meeting adds another piece: a new perspective, a creative solution, or a lesson learned. The excitement comes from seeing how instructional designers across campus approach similar challenges through different disciplinary lenses. Along the way, the community has become a place where professional friendships form, confidence grows, and ideas gain momentum.”
– Liying Miao, ODL instructional development faculty and Community of Practice cochair
Dr. Michele Dames, academic program manager for the FSU Next pathway program, celebrated the opportunity to learn about new platforms and programs. “The Instructional Design Community of Practice gave me a chance to connect with colleagues from across campus and learn about their work,” said Dames. “It was great to hear about FSU's new HQ platform (replacing Nole Central) and how different programs are using digital badges. I left with new ideas, new connections, and an appreciation for the generosity of this community.”
Brittany Endress, ODL instructional designer, agreed.
“The community of practice is a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers across campus, learn from diverse perspectives, share tools and strategies, and support one another as we work together to serve the FSU community.”
How to Join
If you’re interested in joining the Instructional Design Community of Practice, contact Liying Miao at lmiao@campus.fsu.edu to be added to the Instructional Design Teams group. The community welcomes instructional designers in academic departments, information technology, employee training and human resources, and student services. Meetings are held quarterly.
