QA6630

TECHNICAL TRAINING METHODS

SYLLABUS

Via the Internet

 

 

Dr. Tom Carden

tcarden@spsu.edu

678.915.7339

Office hours via Chat Room:  Thursdays, 7:30 pm – 8:30 (EDT) or by appointment

 

Course Description

 

The application of a systematic approach to designing, implementing, and evaluating technical training.  Emphasis is placed on practical exercises for determining training requirements, designing training specifications, developing training materials, implementing training including trainee evaluation, and assessing the effectiveness of training.  The application of adult learning theory, management of training processes, alternative training methods and settings, and assessment techniques will be integrated into the exercises as well as chat room discussions and individual research assignments.

 

Course Structure

 

The course will consist of the following components:

 

·        Selected readings from text materials and other resources

 

·        Weekly online discussions of questions posed by the instructor

 

·        Weekly summaries of lessons learning from readings and discussions

 

·        A team project on the application of a portion of the systematic approach to training (SAT) model

 

·        An individual project on a portion of the application of the SAT model

 

·        Reviews of five articles from professional journals

 

Component-specific learning objectives, directions, and grading protocols are included under the icon for the respective component.

 

Course Learning Goals

 

The Course Learning Goals are as follows:

 

1.      Given assigned weekly readings and related questions, the student will on a weekly basis demonstrate proactive participation in online discussion of the readings and related questions.  Written documentation in the form of two online postings is required weekly to demonstrate participation and value added.

 

2.      Given assigned weekly readings, related questions, and weekly online discussions, the student will on a weekly basis summarize key lessons learned from readings and online discussions. Written documentation is required weekly to demonstrate mastery of the topics.

 

3.      As a member of a project team and given specific learning objectives, instruction, examples, and directions, the student will conduct job and task analyses for a selected job position.  Written documentation is required to demonstrate mastery of the Team Project Learning Objectives.  Peer evaluation is required to demonstrate individual participation and contribution ratings.

 

4.      Given specific learning objectives, instruction, examples, and directions, the student will design training specifications, develop training materials, conduct training, and evaluate the effectiveness of training for the selected job position  Written documentation is required to demonstrate mastery of the Individual Project Learning Objectives related to design, development, and evaluation.  A videotape or live presentation is required to demonstrate mastery of the Inidividual Project Learning Objectives related to conduct of training.

 

5.      Using available bibliographical resources, the student will perform and document five article reviews that relate to the application of a systematic approach to training to human performance improvement.  Written documentation is required to demonstrate mastery and will follow guidance from Yukon College for structure and content.

 

Teams

 

During the first week of the class, students will be organized into teams of three to five individuals.  These teams will be kept in place throughout the semester and serve as the focal point for the team project.  These teams will provide a sense of community and facilitate sharing, interaction, and collaboration among students located throughout the country.  Each team will be asked to select a team name to further enhance the sense of belonging and identificaiton.

 

Online Discussions

 

Students are required to participate in the online discussion at least twice each week during the semester.  The online discussions focus on questions related to the readings.  The instructor will post the questions for the week by 7:00 a.m. each Monday.  For the first posting, students are expected to thoughtfully and analytically prepare by reading the weekly assignments, reviewing the questions, and formulating discussion points that relate to the discussion questions. For the second and subsequent postings, students are expected to thoughtfully and analytically respond to discussion points made by other students or the instructor. Students are expected to proactively participate in the online discussions and will be graded accordingly.

 

Weekly Lessons Learned

 

Following each weekly online discussion, students are expected to provide the instructor a one-page summary of the lessons learned from the reading assignments and online discussions.  The summary of lessons learned is not meant to be a regurgitation of the readings or discussion.  Rather, it is meant to identify new concepts the students may have learned, a different perspective on a known concept, or the application of concepts to the students’ work environment.  The summary is to be sent to the instructor via e-mail (tcarden@spsu.edu) by 7:00 p.m. the Tuesday following the end of the weekly discussion.  For example, if the week ran from Monday, September 11, 2006 to Sunday, September 17, the summary of lessons learned is due on Tuesday, September  19, 2006.

 

Chat Rooms

 

Chat rooms are available through the web page for individual and team use.  The instructor is available for office hours on Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  beginning Thursday, August 24, 2005.   Chat rooms for this course serve only as the instructor’s office hours for responding to questions and comments.  Participation in chat rooms is optional.  Points are neither added nor deducted for participation in chat rooms.

 

Written Work

 

All assignments submitted for grading must be created in Microsoft Word.  These assignments should be electrocially submitted by attaching them to an e-mail letter to the instructor (tcarden@spsu.edu).  Students are expected to proof written assignments for grammar, style, and spelling errors.  Points will be deducted for poor grammar and writing in this class just as they are in the real world.  The instructor will evaluate the document, make comments, as appropriate, on the documents using Microsoft Word, and return the document to the student by e-mail.

 

Note:  Lucid and accurate writing with tightly focused organization is an essential business skill.  Please note that points will be deducted for poor grammar and writing.  BE SURE TO PROOF READ YOUR WORK!

 

Grading

 

The grade you earn at the end of the course will be based on the following areas of evaluation:

 

Component

 
Percent of Course Grade

Weekly proactive participation in online discussions

15%

 

Weekly summary of lessons learned from readings and online discussion

15%

Team SAT project (Partially based on peer evaluation)

15%

Individual SAT project

30%

Five Article reviews

25%

 

Academic Integrity

 

Ensuring academic integrity is an educational objective that Southern Poly takes very seriously.  The University’s overall policy is included in the catalog.  Within the confines of this course, the following policies will be strictly enforced:

 

·        All students are expected to abide by the professional ethical behavior standards published by the American Society for Quality. 

 

·        All work must be completed by students registered for the course.

 

·        Unless a course assignment is specifically designated as a group/team project, students are not to collaborate with other students to complete assignments or submit other students’ work as their own.

 

·        A student who does not give appropriate credit when quoting, or even paraphrasing, another person’s writing is guilty of plagiarism and is in violation of University policy.  Plagiarism is defined as using another person’s ideas, words, expressions, or findings in your writing without acknowledging the sources.

 

Text Material

 

Textbooks for this course are as follows:

 

Gagne, Robert M., Walter W. Wager, Katharine C. Golas, and John M. Keller (2005). Principles of Instructional Design. Belmont, California: Wadsworth/Thompson, Fifth edition .

 

Mager, Robert F.(1997).  Preparing Instructional Objectives.  Belmont, California:  Lake Publishing Company.

 

Mager, Robert F. (1999).  What Every Manager Should Know About Training.  Belmont, California:  Lake Publishing Company.

 

The following materials are available to students via the course web page:

 

Carden, Thomas E.  A Systematic Approach to Training.  Marietta, Georgia:  Blue Ridge Technologies, Inc., 2004.

 

The following articles are available to students by searching GALILEO/ProQuest databases (for access information, visit www.spsu.edu/library)

 

Hills, James A. (2004).  “Better Teaching with Deming and Bloom,” Quality Progress, 37:3, 57.

 

Foreman, David C. (2003).  “Eleven Common-Sense Learning Principles,” T+D. 57:9, 39.

 

Reiser, Robert A. (2001).  “A History of Instructional Design and Technology: Part II: A History of Instructional Design,”  Educational Technology, Research and Development, 49:2, 57.

 

Stetar, Bill (2005).  “Training: It’s Not Always the Answer,”  Quality Progress, pp. 44-49.

 

Yi, Jialin (2005).  “Effective Ways to Foster Learning,”  Performance Improvement, 44:1, 34.

Course Outline and Schedule

QA 6630

Technical Training Methods

 

 

Dates

Topic

Reading Assignments and Activities

.

Week 0

8/24

 

Course Overview via the Chat Room

(7:30 – 8:30 pm)

Review of Course Syllabus and clarification of course expectations

 

Article Review 1:

Read Reiser, Robert A. (2001).  “A History of Instructional Design and Technology: Part II: A History of Instructional Design,”  Educational Technology, Research and Development, 49:2, 57

 

Week 1

8/28-9/3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Training

 

A Systematic Approach to Training

Readings:

·        Gagne et al, Ch. 1, 2

·        Mager (1999), Ch. 0, 1,

·        Carden, Ch. 1

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 8/28

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 9/3

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 9/5.

 

Team Project:

Do not begin work on Team Project until next week.

 

Individual Project:

Do not begin work on Individual Project until Team Project is complete.

Article Review 1: 

Submit Reiser artice review.  Due 11:59 pm, Sunday, 9/3.  See Guidelines for format.

 

Week 2

Labor Day is 9/4

9/5-10

 

Analysis

 

Needs Analysis

 

 

Readings:

·        Gagne et al, pp. 56-57

·        Mager (1999), Ch. 2, 4, and 6

·        Carden, Ch. 2 (Needs Analysis)

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Tuesday, 9/5

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 9/10

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 9/12.

 

Team Project:

·        Form teams of 3 to 5 students

·        Determine team name and notify instructor via e-mail (tcarden@spsu.edu)

·        Review Project Team Guidelines

·        Retrieve position description and modify as needed.

·        Divide work activities among team members

 

Individual Project:

Do not begin work on Individual Project until Team Project is complete.

 

Article Review 2:

Read Stetar, Bill (2005).  “Training: It’s Not Always the Answer,”  Quality Progress, pp. 44-49.

Week 3

9/11-17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 3

9/11-17

 

 

Analysis (cont.)

 

Job Analysis

·        Identifying tasks

·        Selecting tasks for training

Job Analysis

Readings:

·        Carden, Ch. 2 (Job Analysis)

·        Mager (1999), Ch. 3

·        Gagne et al, Ch. 3

 

 

 

 

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 9/11

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 9/17

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 9/19.

Team Project:

Complete Team Project Learning Objectives 1 prior to 9/19

Individual Project:

Do not begin work on Individual Project until Team Project is complete.

Article Review 2:

Submit the Stetar article review.  Due 11:59, Sunday 9/17.

 

Week 4

9/18-24

 

Analysis (cont.)

 

Task Analysis

 

Transition from Task Analysis Data to Learning Objectives

 

 

Readings:

·        Gagne et al, Ch. 8

·        Carden, Ch. 2 (Task Analysis, Clustering Common Knowldege and Skills, Summary)

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 9/18

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 9/24

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 9/26.

Team Project:

Complete Team Project Learning Objective 2 prior to 9/26

Individual Project:

Do not begin work on Individual Project until Team Project is complete.

 

 

 

Week 5

9/25-10/1

 

Design

 

Entry-level Requirements

 

Training Settings

 

Learning Objectives

Readings:

·        Gagne et al, Ch 4,5

·        Carden, Ch 3

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 9/25

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 10/1

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 10/3.

 

Team Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Team Project Objectives 1, 2, and 3 due 10/3.

 

Individual Project:

Begin work on Individual Project Learning Objectives 1 and 2 after submitting Team Project Learning Objective 3 and being directed to proceed by the instructor.

Article Review 3:

Read Hills, James A. (2004).  “Better Teaching with Deming and Bloom,” Quality Progress, 37:3, 57.

Week 6

10/2-8

 

Design (cont.)

 

Learning Objectives

 

Readings:

Mager (1997)—Yes, the whole book!

Gagne et al, Ch. 7

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 10/2

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 10/8

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:50 pm Tuesday, 10/10.

 

Team Project:

Written evaluations of other group members are due 10/8.

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objectives 1 and 2 is due 10/10.

 

Article Review 3:

Submit Hills article review.  Due 11:59 pm, Sunday, 10/8.

Week 7

10/9-15

 

Design

 

Testing

 

Task Performance Evaluations

Readings:

·        Gagne et al, Ch 13

·        Mager (1999), Ch. 5

·        Carden, Ch. 3 (Develop TPE, Develop test items)

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 10/8

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59  pm on Sunday, 10/15

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 10/17.

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objectives 3 and 4 is due 10/17.

 

Week 8

10/16-22

 

Development

 

Instructional Activities

 

Instructional Strategies

Readings:

·        Carden, Ch. 4 (Instructional Activities and Methods)

·        Gagne, Ch. 9, 10

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 10/16

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 10/22

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 10/24.

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objectives 5 and 6 is due 10/24.

 

Article Review 4:

Read Foreman, David C. (2003).  “Eleven Common-Sense Learning Principles,” T+D. 57:9, 39.

Week 9

10/23-29

 

Development (cont.)

 

Instructional Materials and Media

Readings:

·        Mager (1999), Ch. 8 (pp.109-116)

·        Carden, Ch. 4 (Media)

·        Gagne et al, Ch. 11

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 10/23

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 10/29

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 10/31.

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objective 7 is due 10/31.

 

Article Review 4:

Submit Foreman article review.  Due by 11:59, Sunday, 10/29.

 

 

 

Week 10

10/30-11/5

 

Development (cont.)

 

Lesson Plans and Other Training Guides

Readings:

Carden, Ch. 4 (Lesson Plans and other Training Guides)

Gagne et al, Ch. 12

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 10/30

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 11/5

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 11/7.

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objective 8 is due 11/7.

 

11/11

Veterans’ Day

Take time on Saturday, November 11, to thank relatives and friends who are veterans for YOUR FREEDOM.

 

Week 11

11/6-12

 

 

Implementation

Readings:

·        Mager (1999), pp.116-119

·        Carden, Ch. 5

·        Gagne et al, Ch. 14

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 11/6

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 11/12

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 11/14.

 

 

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objective 9 is due 11/14.

 

Article Review 5:

Read Yi, Jialin (2005).  “Effective Ways to Foster Learning,”  Performance Improvement, 44:1, 34.

Week 12

11/13-19

Implementation

Readings:

Gagne et al, Ch. 15

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 11/13

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 11/19

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 11/21.

 

Individual Project:

Continue working on Individual Project Learning Objectives 10 and 11.

 

Article Review 5:

Submit the Yi article review.  Due 11:59 pm, Sunday, 11/19.

 

Week 13

11/20-26

Thanksgiving is 11/23-26

Evaluation

Readings:

·        Carden, Ch. 6

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 11/20

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 11/26

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 11/28.

 

Week 14

11/27-12/3

Evaluation

 

Readings:

·        Gagne et al, Ch. 16

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 11/27

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 12/3

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Tuesday, 12/5.

 

Individual Project:

An individual video presentation of no more than 30 minutes is due by 11/28, to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objectives 10 and 11. 

 

Week 15

12/4-10

Evaluation

 

Readings:

·        Mager (1999), Ch. 7

 

Online Discussion Agenda:

·        Questions posted by 7:00 am on Monday, 12/4

·        Participate at least twice in online discussion of questions by posting comments.

·        Online postings close at 11:59 pm on Friday, 12/8

·        Summarize key lessons learned from readings and discussion.  Due by 11:59 pm Sunday, 12/10.

 

Individual Project:

Written documentation to demonstrate mastery of Individual Project Learning Objectives 12 and 13 is due 12/10.