Faculty in the MS in Instructional Design and Learning Technology (IDLT) program at Eastern Kentucky University strongly believe in internships as a form of experiential learning. The internship experience integrates concepts and projects demonstrated in the classroom with practical applications in professional settings. Internships allow IDLT students to gain valuable experience by engaging in meaningful work related to instructional/learning design. Thereby, increasing professional contacts to promote networking, career enhancement, and contributing to the primary goals of an external organization.
Three Options for the IDLT Internships
EKU’s online IDLT program offers three types of internship experiences to help students meet these goals.
External Placement Option 1
The first option allows the student to complete their internship at their current place of employment. We understand that many of our students are busy professionals. They sometimes do not have the time to complete internship experiences that are physically or virtually remote to them. In this type of internship, students can identify a practical instructional experience that revolves around the design and development of learning objects at their current workplace.
External Placement Option 2
The second type of external internship opportunity gives students the option to complete an internship at an organization of their choosing. Students will select an organization with an established EKU relationship, or they can identify their own placement with a company they identify and negotiate the terms of the internship.
Internal Placement Option
The last type of internship experience provides the student with an academic-focused internship with EKU’s Instructional Design Center or another academic unit. Students will assist EKU instructional designers in creating courses and training, developing multimedia content, and performing work in a selected learning management system. This work may include course design, construction, and essential production tasks.
Whatever choice of your internship experience may be, we are here to help you succeed in finding the internship experience that fits your career goals.
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About the Author
Dr. Nedim Slijepcevic is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the MS in Instructional Design and Learning Technology program. He has a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and MS in Multidisciplinary Studies from SUNY College at Buffalo and an Ed.D. in Instruction and Administration from the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Slijepcevic is certified as a Quality Matters Master Reviewer and as an Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Face-to-Face Facilitator. He is the recipient of a Blackboard Catalyst award in Training and Professional Development, as well as several awards for course design, instructional design, and educational innovations at EKU.
His research and academic interests include applications of augmented reality for learning and training, the community of inquiry model, and professional training and development.