Project Roadmap
Capstone, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a high point or a crowning achievement. While this project is a high point for me, I hope it is not my crowning achievement. I hope that this is just the commencement of a long successful career packed with achievements and learning. Encarta gives a much better definition; a capstone is the most important action in a series of actions. The process of identifying themes and reflecting upon my coursework are integral in capping off a sometimes stressful but always rewarding experience.
I found it very hard to select only eleven key assignments, Eleven examples of work cannot nearly tell the whole story. I did manage to pare it down to thirteen but they only include the largest works. There were many forum discussions and short assignments that were also of worth. The next step was to identify three themes. Again, I was hard pressed to narrow it down. I ended up picking the three with the most supporting documentation but those three do not reflect my growth and interest in other areas. A few of the themes that I did not use are as follows:
Theory to practice, practice to theory: To me, this means making a connection between the theory taught in class and the practice of training and development. The assignments in which I interviewed instructional designers, adult learners, trainers and researchers are the best examples. These assignments allowed me to connect the theory from coursework to real world situations and examples through discussion, analysis and reflection. Making a connection between research and practice and applying those concepts to practice is one of the most important lessons learned during my graduate school experience.
Systems Theory: The Oshry book from EAC 582, was illuminating for me. It is a simply written book and a quick read. We only spend a couple of weeks on it in the course. Up until that point I never considered system theory in a professional context. Understanding the interactions between differing groups was integral to my growth as a professional. Understanding my role allows me to work in the system much more effectively.
Learning Technology: As an eLearning developer and a software trainer, learning technology is a theme that repeated itself numerous times. Most important was the assignment to review a technology training class. I decided to go a slightly different route and review the shorter on demand technology training videos. We see these sorts of short help videos in many applications, on you tube or in help files. They are basically short demonstrations of skills. These are courses I create for my company every day. I was able to take relevant research on evaluation and apply it directly to the evaluation of my own work. Also, in the theme of technology, another book was enlightening for me. E-Learning and the Science of Instruction is a practical guidebook. I have used the information in this book to teach others and to improve my own work.
Analysis: Analysis as a theme is very broad. Needs analysis, content analysis, task analysis, learner analysis, audience analysis, journal analysis, annotated bibliographies, literature reviews, technology analysis are just a few of the types of analysis we performed for our assignments. Any and all decisions should begin with some sort of analysis. Poor analysis can set off a chain reaction of misguided decisions that ultimately lead to ineffective training and development programs. My work in the theme of learner participation highlights the need for analysis. A simple audience or learner analysis will reveal, in the least, previous knowledge, learning preferences and training needs. Without that analysis, training programs can be delivered to the wrong audience or the right audience can receive the wrong instruction. This leads to learner frustration and a lack of trust in the corporate training plan. Motivation and participation decline and the training program ultimately will fail. If an analysis were done before design, development and delivery, much of those issues could be avoided.
The three themes I did choose represent my understanding, growth and discovery during the graduate process. The themes are:
1. Learner Participation
The first theme identified is learner participation. It is a key concept left out of most if not all models of instruction and instructional design. It is of particular importance to me because I have noted a lack of motivation to participate and actual participation in training activities in my work. Throughout my graduate career, I always return to this theme. I am very interested in trying to discover a good model or procedure for increasing learner participation. Some of the most influential authors in this subject are as follows: Aziz and Ahmad researched variables for increasing learner motivation to participate in training. Morrell and Korsgaard contribute to that body of work as well. Hurtz and Williams also research motivation and participation but offer some differing views. All of the authors and their research can be found in my example assignments.
2. Distance/eLearning
The second theme identified is distance and eLearning. My work experience is predominantly focused on distance and eLearning. In the past, delivering mandatory training to a large medical center required my exploration into this theme. Currently, I leverage eLearning as a supplement or blended experience to compliment my classroom instruction and workshops. And most obviously, this graduate program is conducted via distance learning. The framework of this graduate program allows learning to be managed at a distance and is flexible enough to accommodate working professionals. Much can be learned from the format of this degree program not just the content. The format allows interaction between class members and forms a sense of community even though the participants rarely meet in person.
The researchers that were the most influential to me in the eLearning field are numerous but two stand head and shoulders above the rest for me. Richard E. Mayer and Ruth C. Clark have influenced my work the most and they each provide outstanding research that is immediately applicable to my work. I find myself reading everything they write; I use them as trusted resources. From their work, many researchers have expanded the body of knowledge. For distance learning, I do not have specific authors to note, but there are many important journals that I rely on and trust to provide sound research. Distance Education is the one I always seek out first.
3. Instructional Design
The final theme identified is Instructional Design. It was a natural and obvious choice with this degree program. Instructional Design theories and models lay the foundation for all my other work in this field. I identified five works to evidence my work and growth in the theme, but in reality I could have presented just about every assignment I completed in this theme. The researchers and ideas that impacted me the most are as follows: For evaluation, there is no better resource that Kirkpatrick, anyone doing research or evaluation should be familiar with the four levels of evaluation, if for nothing more than to provide a baseline to work from. For instructional design one should always begin with ADDIE, there are many other instructional models out there but in some way they are all just a variation of the original and best tested ADDIE.
I found it very hard to select only eleven key assignments, Eleven examples of work cannot nearly tell the whole story. I did manage to pare it down to thirteen but they only include the largest works. There were many forum discussions and short assignments that were also of worth. The next step was to identify three themes. Again, I was hard pressed to narrow it down. I ended up picking the three with the most supporting documentation but those three do not reflect my growth and interest in other areas. A few of the themes that I did not use are as follows:
Theory to practice, practice to theory: To me, this means making a connection between the theory taught in class and the practice of training and development. The assignments in which I interviewed instructional designers, adult learners, trainers and researchers are the best examples. These assignments allowed me to connect the theory from coursework to real world situations and examples through discussion, analysis and reflection. Making a connection between research and practice and applying those concepts to practice is one of the most important lessons learned during my graduate school experience.
Systems Theory: The Oshry book from EAC 582, was illuminating for me. It is a simply written book and a quick read. We only spend a couple of weeks on it in the course. Up until that point I never considered system theory in a professional context. Understanding the interactions between differing groups was integral to my growth as a professional. Understanding my role allows me to work in the system much more effectively.
Learning Technology: As an eLearning developer and a software trainer, learning technology is a theme that repeated itself numerous times. Most important was the assignment to review a technology training class. I decided to go a slightly different route and review the shorter on demand technology training videos. We see these sorts of short help videos in many applications, on you tube or in help files. They are basically short demonstrations of skills. These are courses I create for my company every day. I was able to take relevant research on evaluation and apply it directly to the evaluation of my own work. Also, in the theme of technology, another book was enlightening for me. E-Learning and the Science of Instruction is a practical guidebook. I have used the information in this book to teach others and to improve my own work.
Analysis: Analysis as a theme is very broad. Needs analysis, content analysis, task analysis, learner analysis, audience analysis, journal analysis, annotated bibliographies, literature reviews, technology analysis are just a few of the types of analysis we performed for our assignments. Any and all decisions should begin with some sort of analysis. Poor analysis can set off a chain reaction of misguided decisions that ultimately lead to ineffective training and development programs. My work in the theme of learner participation highlights the need for analysis. A simple audience or learner analysis will reveal, in the least, previous knowledge, learning preferences and training needs. Without that analysis, training programs can be delivered to the wrong audience or the right audience can receive the wrong instruction. This leads to learner frustration and a lack of trust in the corporate training plan. Motivation and participation decline and the training program ultimately will fail. If an analysis were done before design, development and delivery, much of those issues could be avoided.
The three themes I did choose represent my understanding, growth and discovery during the graduate process. The themes are:
1. Learner Participation
The first theme identified is learner participation. It is a key concept left out of most if not all models of instruction and instructional design. It is of particular importance to me because I have noted a lack of motivation to participate and actual participation in training activities in my work. Throughout my graduate career, I always return to this theme. I am very interested in trying to discover a good model or procedure for increasing learner participation. Some of the most influential authors in this subject are as follows: Aziz and Ahmad researched variables for increasing learner motivation to participate in training. Morrell and Korsgaard contribute to that body of work as well. Hurtz and Williams also research motivation and participation but offer some differing views. All of the authors and their research can be found in my example assignments.
2. Distance/eLearning
The second theme identified is distance and eLearning. My work experience is predominantly focused on distance and eLearning. In the past, delivering mandatory training to a large medical center required my exploration into this theme. Currently, I leverage eLearning as a supplement or blended experience to compliment my classroom instruction and workshops. And most obviously, this graduate program is conducted via distance learning. The framework of this graduate program allows learning to be managed at a distance and is flexible enough to accommodate working professionals. Much can be learned from the format of this degree program not just the content. The format allows interaction between class members and forms a sense of community even though the participants rarely meet in person.
The researchers that were the most influential to me in the eLearning field are numerous but two stand head and shoulders above the rest for me. Richard E. Mayer and Ruth C. Clark have influenced my work the most and they each provide outstanding research that is immediately applicable to my work. I find myself reading everything they write; I use them as trusted resources. From their work, many researchers have expanded the body of knowledge. For distance learning, I do not have specific authors to note, but there are many important journals that I rely on and trust to provide sound research. Distance Education is the one I always seek out first.
3. Instructional Design
The final theme identified is Instructional Design. It was a natural and obvious choice with this degree program. Instructional Design theories and models lay the foundation for all my other work in this field. I identified five works to evidence my work and growth in the theme, but in reality I could have presented just about every assignment I completed in this theme. The researchers and ideas that impacted me the most are as follows: For evaluation, there is no better resource that Kirkpatrick, anyone doing research or evaluation should be familiar with the four levels of evaluation, if for nothing more than to provide a baseline to work from. For instructional design one should always begin with ADDIE, there are many other instructional models out there but in some way they are all just a variation of the original and best tested ADDIE.