Section 4: Human Performance Technology (K. Calloway)

1.  Human performance is the valued result of the work of the people working within a system.  Human Performance Technology consists of those principles and applications that are concerned with improving the impact of any and all factors that affect those results.

In my area of work, principals are constantly evaluating the effectiveness of teacher instruction.  Our district has created learning walks that allow various groups of teachers and administrators to randomly choose a classroom instructor to visit and evaluate their lesson of the day.  The learning walk is to be used as a helping tool, not an evaluation but many administrators do take into account what is noted by those visiting the classroom.  This method is used to improve the impact of the student performance results.

2.  Electronic Performance Support System is an integrated electronic environment that is available to and easily accessible by each employee and is structured to provide immediate, individualized on-line access to the full range of information, software, guidance, advice and assistance, data, images, tools, and assessment and monitoring systems to permit job performance with minimal support and intervention by others.  I prefer this definition because it clearly defines the use of EPSS and why it is used.  I do not see this system being more prevalent in the future because many organizations have access to the internet and current applications that are being used.

3.  A problem in my line of work is creating interventions based on Benchmark and standardized test.  I think this issue could be resolved if a document or database could be created that would be focus on various objectives or skills students need development in.  This knowledge would be useful if it could be shared and used among the teaching community using collaborative technology.

4.     In my adult life I’ve enjoyed informal learning.  I enjoy the opportunity to have collaborative learning in a space that is open and accessible.  Knowledge Management system is to enable staff or students to have ready access to the organization's documented base of facts, sources of information, and solutions.

K. Calloway-Evaluating, Implementing, and managing Instructional Programs

      The Patton evaluation model is used to identify people who are disposed to learning from evaluations. The model outlines several procedures for identifying these users and then working with them to clarify what they want to know and what they are likely to do with information gathered by an evaluation. The model gives many examples to persuade evaluators to not only organize their studies around users' questions evaluation data as much as possible.

      The Flagg evaluation model focuses on four stages: needs assessment, pre-production formative evaluation, production formative evaluation, and implementation formative evaluation. The needs assessment is used to obtain the reason for the instructional program. The gathering of data involves reviews of existing studies, test and curricula, expert’s reviews, and measurement of target audience characteristics. Pre-production formative evaluation the teacher and students are used to design the content, objectives, and production formats. The production formative evaluation is used to revise the previous evaluation. The implementation formative evaluation helps identify how program managers will actually use their final products with target learners.

      I would use these models to evaluate students. I would use the data collected as a resource to develop my lessons and also create interventions. These evaluations are a good resource for teachers to clearly understand how to implement the best learning environment for each individual student.

The iPad is a great educational companion. Students can track their assignments, take notes, and study for finals. Teachers can give lessons, monitor progress, and stay organized. This instrument is a great way to bring the world into the classroom. Students have instant access to multiple application that can be a high quality resource for students to use. One the features of the iPad is the access to ebooks. Students can have read books with the touch of a finger. It is a much easier way for students to locate, read, and engage in books. No more of the waiting for books to be returned, cost of lost books, or not having enough copies of a book. This tool is great for book studies and research.





      I would use situational leadership to facilitate a series of professional development sessions focusing on technology used in the classroom. I’d use this technique to create a committee made up of teachers, technology instructor, media specialist, instructional coach, and administration. As a team we could brainstorm various topics and content for the professional development sessions. After, discussing and communicating ideas I would delegate duties for each of the committee members. We would meet periodically as a team to discuss the progress of their assignments and address any other issues.

K. Calloway-Theories and Models of Learning and Instruction

   Theories and Models of Learning and Instruction

 

Each student has different learning styles and techniques. My learning goal for designing instruction for my class is to help students to develop problem-solving skills.  Such skills as analyzing, designing  and implementing computer-based solutions.  The visual and physical learning style could be incorporated with this learning goal.  The two learning theories I would use with these styles are constructive and problem based learning.  These two styles both focus on the role of the teacher as a facilitator of learning who guides the learning process and promotes an environment of inquiry.  Students work is self-directed with active investigation and problem solving in small collaborative groups.  Learning is driven by challenging open ended problems with no defined right answer.

Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction Comparison Chart

Gain attention	Learners are engaged in solving real-world problems.
Inform learner of objectives	Existing knowledge is activated as a foundation for new knowledge
Stimulate recall of prior learning	New knowledge is demonstrated to the learner
Present stimulus material	New knowledge is applied by the learner
Provide learner guidance	New knowledge is integrated into the learner's world.
Elicit performance	New knowledge is demonstrated by the learner.
Provide feedback	Learners have clear expectations.
Assess performance	Learner demonstrates new knowledge.
Enhance retention transfer	New knowledge is applied by learner across the curriculum.

With my goal I would use the whole-task approach, scaffolding, and mathemagenic method to help students learn by allowing the student to become an independent and self-regulating learner and problem solver.  These methods would assist a student’s ability to build on prior knowledge and internalize new information.  As the instructor I would model and clearly define the expectations of the activity to be performed, motivate the student’s interest in the task, and  provide some directions to help the child focus on achieving the goal.

There are benefits in engaging in design research.  Students will feel like they are learning and it motivates them to want to attend class.  Learning becomes fun and engaging for the student and it leads to them becoming life-long learners.

K. Calloway- Defining the field (ETEC 561, Blog #1)

1. The book provided a detailed description of instructional technology and design. It states that this field tries to apply what is literally understood about how humans learn and improve upon that performance by designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the learning and performance of the environment. In my work environment instructional technology and design is growing field. Our school district uses this method to determine what are the current needs of the learner, set a goal for instruction, and creating intervention to assist in reaching the goal.



2. The Dick and Carey model is a great tool to use to process the general principles of learning and instruction, as well as determining instructional materials to use. The instructional design fits well into my work environment. My definition of instructional design should focus on the development, evaluation, and maintenance of the learning process. The learning model steps build from each other. The components work together to achieve a goal of effective instruction.

If I were to redesign the model, it would be as follows:

Instruction Goals	Determine what you would like to achieve.
Instructional and Character Analysis	Determine what’s needed to reach the goal and determine learning style.
Performance Assessment	Measure the learners performance.
Interventions	Develop additional instruction that helps development learners skills.
Summative Evaluation and Revision	Determine the effectiveness of the instructional material and develop additional instructional material.

3. Technology is being implemented in classroom everywhere. Various forms of technology, such as computers, television, projectors, interactive whiteboards, Ipads, and E readers are being integrated into education curriculums. Technology is providing students with access to rich multimedia information. With technology constantly changing schools are finding it challenging to keep up. Many school must continually upgrade their computer systems and then provide additional professional development for staff. This can be a costly task. There has been positive results with the integration of technology. Technology is an excellent source to engage students and bring the world and current events into the classroom.