B.S. in IDT (Prospective Student)
~ Introduction to IDT ~
A career on the cutting edge
Nearly every organization, large and small; public and private, is engaged in ongoing instruction and training to maintain its competitive edge and to keep employees productive and up-to-date. This means that the graduates from WIU's nationally-recognized Instructional Design and Technology program are in high demand.
The department maintains good placement rates since its inception in 1996, with graduates holding positions at various levels of industry, government and education. Instructional Design and Technology graduates are making a difference in many business organizations, including multinational corporations, insurance companies, health care organizations, and banking/finance. In addition, some graduates from the program are building careers in nonprofit agencies, in governmental settings and in educational institutions.
There are also many career options available to IDT graduates in the more specialized areas of graphic design, multi-media and video production and in dedicated training organizations which provide training materials for a variety of clients. In fact, the opportunities for graduates from WIU's Instructional Design and Technology program are expanding every day due to the growth in the demand for "knowledge workers" who can utilize the right technology and provide integrated and workable solutions to organizational training needs.
A degree with a difference
With an emphasis on hands-on experience, team work and real-world applications, WIU's Instructional Design and Technology program is practical, comprehensive and flexible enough to support your individual career goals. Western's Department of Instructional Design and Technology has become a national leader in instructional technology, distance learning, and interactive multimedia through its well-rounded yet highly focused curriculum.
Specifically, the program is designed around the following four
areas:
- The design and production of training programs
- Media production of instructional and training programs,
including digital video, digital graphics, interactive
multimedia, Web page design, multi-image slides and
electronic presentations
- Technology applications in training, including latest
hardware and software applications.
- Technology-based delivery systems such as computer-based instruction, CD-ROM, videodisc, satellite interactive television and the Internet/WWW.
Learning while doing
The entire Instructional Design and Technology program at WIU is based on cultivating your technical skills and creative abilities by exposing you to real-world problems and solutions. However, just as important is the opportunity for you to apply and expand your education through internships.
The department has access to a number of internship opportunities for students, giving you a chance to gain valuable professional experience, build confidence in your abilities and explore careers in your field.
The contacts that you build during your internship can provide you with invaluable advice and guidance both before and after graduation. Internships are also an excellent way for you to enhance your resume with current and relevant experience in your field as you begin to build your track record of creative problem-solving using the tools of technology to meet organizational training needs. In addition, internships commonly lead to permanent job offers for IDT graduates.