Terri Clark

Personal Background My name is Terri Clark and I'm an Environmental Protection Specialist for the U.S. Navy. Currently, I'm an instructor at the Naval Occupational Safety and Health, and Environmental Training Center located in Norfolk, VA. My primary job is to teach afloat and ashore sailors about the various safety and environmental programs to ensure compliance with the federal, state, and local regulations. Prior to this job, I worked at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in the Environmental Division, at Laidlaw Environmental Services as a Field Chemist, and at Langley Air Force Base in the Environmental Flight. My career path has transitioned from the environmental arena to the educational field. I'm a Master Training Specialist for the Navy; however, I wanted to further pursue my own learning in education. In pursuit of that goal, I obtained a Masters in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in Instructional Technology, from Old Dominion University in August 2002. My undergraduate degree is in Science from Penn State University.

About my ID&T education at ODU

I entered ODU's Masters in Secondary Education (emphasis in Instructional Technology) program with minimal computer savvy. When I started this program, I knew how to use the web, how to develop PowerPoint presentations, and I had basic computer skills. This academic program motivated me to learn a substantial amount about computers-both hardware and software. As a result of the Instructional Design & Technology program, I can develop web pages, develop computer-based learning programs, host meetings online, trouble-shoot hardware problems, upgrade computer hardware, and provide insightful feedback on computer-generated products. I gained these skills, (and many more) because this academic program taught me the reasoning behind effective instructional technology: Effective instructional design is based on an instructional system design (ISD) process, which incorporates the concept that the components of the system are interrelated and designed to build upon students' knowledge, skills, and abilities until the students achieve the learning objectives. Instructional design must also be based on sound, educational theories and tested in viable contexts. Throughout this academic program, I developed theory supported curriculum utilizing the ISD process, and I tested and critiqued my work via in-depth, case study analyses performed by fellow colleagues, several ODU professors, and myself.

Application of my coursework

Having completed this degree, I'm applying what I learned to the courses at our training center. Several of our courses have transitioned from instructor-led deliveries to another available delivery method-problem-based instruction. I created several computer-based programs that were incorporated into our Navy training courses, while government contractors developed some of our other computer-based training initiatives. Throughout the development phases of the contractors' projects, I worked closely with those contractors to ensure effective learning products. In my opinion, learning is evolving from mostly instructor-led to other delivery methods that serve the students' specific needs and preferences. Furthermore, I believe that this degree places me on the forefront of this educational evolution.

WebMaster: idt@odu.edu