By Jamye Sagan, IDL SIG Treasurer
How much money do we have?
As of March 25, 2022, we have $1,937.92 in our account: $1,645.00 from community funding and $292.92 in our vested funds. Continue reading “IDL SIG Treasurer Report for Q1 2022”
IDL SIG Volunteer Coordinator’s Report for Q1 2022
By Anita Matechuk, IDL Volunteer Coordinator
I have had a busy and exciting first quarter in my new role as Volunteer Coordinator with the IDL SIG. The IDL SIG has welcomed 5 new volunteers so far this year and expanded the roles of several of our existing volunteers. In addition, we are working on defining new roles and updating the website to include them to serve our members better. Continue reading “IDL SIG Volunteer Coordinator’s Report for Q1 2022”
IDL SIG Newsletter Editor’s Column and Table of Contents Q4 2021
by Paul Scott, IDeaL Newsletter Editor
It’s 11:30 pm on December 31, 2021, and I am about ready for a long winter’s nap. But we have a full slate of articles this quarter, and I need to put this issue of IDeaL to bed before I can put myself to bed.
2021 has been, as they say, a year of challenges—another one, after 2020. 2022 is shaping up to be another. Sometime soon, I vote for a vacation from challenging years. For now, though, I hope you enjoy reading these as much as we at IDL SIG enjoyed preparing them.
Maralee Sautter will tell you why she joined the SIG and what she has realized from her (sizable) investment of time over the years. Maralee then sums up the year with her Q4 manager’s column.
The leaders of IDL SIG talk about some of their favorite moments of 2021 and goals for 2022 in our year-end round-up. Then Lori Meyer brings her experience as a past membership officer for the SIG to talk about the benefits of STC Gold membership.
Ruth-Anne Klassen is our Student Liaison. Our student members rotate in running our First Friday at 5 SIG mixer, and she gives us a look into all 12 mixers this year. Our student members bring a lot of value to the SIG. And last, but never, ever least, SIG Treasurer Jayme Sagan rounds off the year with her Treasurer’s Report.
And that is all for 2021. I hope that everyone’s new year is calmer, more welcoming, and more prosperous.
- Why I joined the Instructional Design & Learning SIG, by Maralee Sautter
- IDL SIG Manager’s Column Q4 2021, by Maralee Sautter
- Featured: 2021 Year-End Roundup
- Gold membership: A great value proposition for STC members, by Lori Meyer
- First Fridays at 5: Student Liaison Report, by Ruth-Anne Klassen
- IDL SIG Student Article Writing Competition
- IDL SIG Treasurerʼs Report for Q4 2021, by Jayme Sagan
Why I joined the Instructional Design & Learning SIG
A personal journey
By Maralee Sautter
Why did I become a member of the IDL SIG? Maybe the IDL chose me, or maybe I was following an intuitive path that clarified when I joined the SIG. The outcome, however, was serendipitous.
What’s My Backstory?
My journey started over 23 years ago when I became a member of the STC. Technical writing was an exciting path into a career full of possibilities. To discover the many facets of technical writing, I nurtured my tech-comm knowledge by attending Willamette Valley Chapter program meetings and pursued a secondary degree in technical writing at the local university in Portland, Oregon—Portland State University (PSU).
Most of my technical writing jobs in the Willamette Valley area, dubbed the Silicon Forest, have been in high-tech; however, a side trajectory unfolded when I was asked to teach Technical Writing in 2007 at my alma mater, PSU. As an adjunct instructor, I was able to teach in-person classes in the evening, which allowed me to continue my day job. Eventually, I created e-learning modules for some of my writing classes, which allowed me to teach online (asynchronously), never having to set foot on campus. These modules were delivered through Blackboard and Desire to Learn (D2L), two online learning management systems.
As I pursued tech-comm, I developed stronger writing skills, prepared and delivered PowerPoint presentations, and studied the tools of the trade, such as FrameMaker, HTML, RoboHelp, and Flare. I attended as many STC conferences as financially possible—one of the best ways to learn about technical communication.
In 2006 at the Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jane MacKenzie presented a web-design and user interface session, which was so inspirational that I became her greatest fan. (Jane is a former SIG manager, 2004–2007, and a Performance Consultant and Instructional Design Mentor). In 2007 I joined the SIG’s leadership team as secretary at the Summit in Philadelphia. Then I moved on to the co-manager position along with Jamye Sagan. (Yes. I’m SIG manager for the second time around.)
What’s My IDL Connection?
In retrospect, it seemed as though I followed Jane, but in reality, there was an underlying connection between my passion to teach, and desire to learn the tools of the trade, plus a willingness to rub shoulders with the IDL knowledge-bearers.
Our SIG’s mission is to help STC members identify and develop knowledge and practical skills to design, develop, and implement technical instruction in electronic and traditional classroom settings. The SIG strives to promote sound design practices and provide information and education about instructional theory and research.
Our goals are similar to other groups, such as the Association for Talent Development (ATD, formerly ASTD) and the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPSI). While training and teaching are important, the way we design and write our materials connects us to STC, because we focus on technical writing, communication, and the user experience.
Promoting a practical approach to teaching and virtual learning is why I remain an instructional designer and teacher at heart, because I derived my knowledge through experience and practical application. Over the years, STC and the SIG have provided me with many opportunities to learn IDL practices, and I’m delighted to be a member of both.
IDL SIG Manager’s Column Q4 2021
By Maralee Sautter
Year-end review
The winter solstice has arrived in the northern hemisphere, and 2021 is ending. The days are growing longer, and the nights shorter. The weather is cold with snow predicted in my part of the world—the northwest coast of the USA. Sitting by the fire brings about reflection, warmth, and memories of a year of IDL SIG accomplishments. (If you’re bathed in warmth or heat where you are, you are lucky!)
The IDL SIG team has been very busy during this last quarter of 2021: delivering great programs, fun social events (such as our Virtual Open House), a contest that all STC members could enter, and a 2-hour, interactive workshop. Our student-run First Fridays at 5 meetups have been highly successful, and a great place to chat, learn, and exchange ideas. We have many accomplishments under our collective belt this year because we have an amazing volunteer team with innovative ideas and the initiative to take them into reality. We are already planning for 2022 and have great programs and benefits lined up for you.
By the way, if you haven’t had a chance to renew or join STC, be sure to do it soon. The official deadline is December 31, but there’s still time afterward. To join or renew, click STC Join-Renew and be sure to select Instructional Design & Learning as your SIG of choice. Depending on your membership category, you may have to pay a few extra dollars, but we are worth it!
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to learn. If you are interested in joining our team, please send an email to Anita at volunteers@stcidlsig.org. If you want to explore leadership opportunities (co-manager wanted), please email Maralee at manager@stcidlsig.org.
While we all have been through a lot during the pandemic, I hope that everyone in the IDL SIG & STC family is looking forward to 2022 with optimism. Let’s make it a great year!