Instructional Design Networks

Instructional designers often work independently within the company with little or no other designers around. As in any profession, it is important to have support networks and to reach beyond the limited circle to explore new possibilities.

Online communities provide access to other designers for input and support. Industry analysts monitor the industry and report on new happenings and trends in it. Here are a few to consider.

Online Communities

• Kairos News (http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/) offers numerous articles about technology and pedagogy.
• Stephens Web by Stephen Downs (http://www.downes.ca/) includes more than 400 articles, audios, and blogs on the topics of eLearning, online development, and legal issues.
• Learning Times (http://www.learningtimes.org/) is an open community for education and training professionals.

Industry Analysts

• Elliott Masie Center (http://www.masie.com) provides information about learning and how it affects working environments and the people in them.
• Brandon Hall (http://www.brandonhall.com) offers articles, research, and reports on the world of eLearning.
• Derek Stockley (http://derekstockley.com.au), an Australian company, is a consulting company, but offers some good information about the world of learning.
• The Legacy of Robert M. Gagne (http://www.ibstpi.org/legacy-gagne/legacy.htm) site is an online version of the original book discussing the influence of Gagne’s instructional design theories.
• eLearning Guru (http://www.e-learningguru.com/default.asp) provides a large amount of information and resources on the topics of eLearning.

Participating in an online community or keeping up on the latest news can keep you up-to-date in an often isolating industry.