Sunday's Best Reads

     After ten years of teaching English in the public school system, I recently started back to school to earn my degree in Instructional Design.  This has given me this overwhelming desire to collect as much information about my soon to be career.  The first lesson I learned as I turned to the internet for my research is that reading blogs can become addictive! There are so many great blogs out there and so much great information that it is impossible to find time to read it all.  The second lesson I have learned is that a feed reader is a blog lover’s best friend.  Now, all of you blog mavens out there are probably wondering why it took me so long to fall in love with my feed reader, but for the blog rookie this is just the beginning of a lifelong relationship. 

     Because there are so many great blogs out there, I am going to highlight three blogs that have caught my eye this week.  They are at the top of my feed reader and the ones that I go to first when I have a spare minute to indulge my need to read. 

    

   1. Upside Learning  

           http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/  

     Upside Learning has become one of the first blogs I check out when I open my feed reader.  Like a number of blog sites, the posts are written by multiple contributors allowing you to get perspectives from different areas in the field of instructional design.  The company has been recognized by TrainingIndustry.com for providing quality learning through the use of innovation and technology and was placed on their Watch List for 2013.  A majority of the posts on Upside Learning focus on cutting edge technology and innovation in the IDT field. 

    2. Integrated Learning Services        

            http://blog.integratedlearningservices.com/

     

     Integrated Learning Services has been developing eLearning and instructional design for the past eight years.  The blog is a compilation of posts from the associates and partners of the company and tend to focus on presentation and the instruction process.  It is a great source of information that comes from people who are at the front lines in the industry.  They are sharing tips and strategies about what works and what doesn’t from firsthand experience.  Those new to the IDT field will find this a useful resource to design meaningful and effective instruction. 

    3. eLearning Industry 

            http://elearningindustry.com/

     The eLearning Industry is my favorite blog to read this week.  It was founded by Christopher Pappas and is contributed by one of the largest online eLearning groups which was also founded by Pappas at Linkedin.  I enjoy this blog because many of the posts refer to instruction that can be used in the K-12 classroom or are specifically directed toward IDT rookies.  The website is also set up to help those new to IDT find positions in the field (which will be very helpful as I complete my degree). 

     Do you have any blogs that you recommend for professionals in the IDT field?  Leave a comment below and share your favorites and why you love them.  Maybe I’ll find next week’s must reads! Hopefully mine will make your list!