7. Apply Instructional Design Principles

Competency 7: 
Apply Instructional Design Principles

Applying instructional design principles is the ability to thoroughly and accurately analyze learning and human performance problems and then design effective instructional design interventions and evaluation plans.

Narrative

Sub-competency 1: 
Identifies and analyzes learning and performance problems

In EDCI 52800 Human Performance Technology, I submitted a performance system analysis on the Small Hill Community College transition plan to online learning. First, I performed an analysis of the performance system which identified the key parameters of the plan and how it would be implemented. Next, I illustrated the performance system highlights using a table adapted from Training Ain’t Performance that identified internal and external environmental factors influencing the performance of the transition plan (Stolovitch, 2004, p. 30). This detailed and thorough analysis helped categorize and identify all factors and resources, both internal and external, that could affect the performance of the plan. The last section identified possible drivers of performance gaps with probable root causes classified by performance type. For example, in my analysis, I found that the faculty achieving only 27% of the classroom courses transition plan to digital learning reflected a probable root cause of motivation. The last step outlined several techniques and tools an HPT Performance Specialist could use for further investigation and what they could potentially learn from further investigation.

What I learned during the performance review process was that documenting the internal and external factors can help performance specialist make better recommendations. By using the systematic steps found in the table, I was able to clearly outline all the factors to make an informed analysis.

EDCI 52800 Performance Analysis

Sub-competency 2: 
Design, plans, and develops instructional interventions using appropriate strategies 
and techniques

In EDCI 56900 Introduction to E-Learning course, I created a digital learning course on the Space Launch System Exploration Mission- 1. For my artifact, I chose my EDCI 56900 E-Learning Project Final Report as it reflects the design, planning, and development successes and challenges I faced during this project and how I was able to utilize effective strategies and techniques to deliver a final project on time utilizing effective Instructional Design strategies. In my final report, I outlined three things that were most successful which included the following:
     1. The right subject, something I found interesting to learn about
     2. The right authoring tool for the design, utilizing Articulate Rise 360
     3. A real-world problem, something someone would benefit from learning about

I also outlined three challenges and the strategies I used to overcome them:
     1. The abundance of information- Strategy: Find one core document to use as an outline
     2. Maintaining creative energy- Strategy: Find ways to balance the workload and creative process
     3. Balance responsibilities and commitments: Strategy: Go back to your why

Every project will face challenges and learning designers must demonstrate resilience and confidence in choosing the appropriate strategy to overcome those challenges. In my final report, I wrote how I found real value Horton ’s approach to rapid prototyping and storyboarding activities. Because the digital business moves so fast, rapid development and agile project management strategies provide learning designers with accelerated capabilities in the design process.

In EDCI 627 Instructional Design Project Management course, I had the opportunity to study Agile ISD project management and develop my own ISD PM template for use in my ISD projects. I am still improving the design of this template and I am using an iteration of it in my final practicum project. By investing just a few days in the design and project planning stages, designers can cut down on the number of challenges they might face further along in development.

EDCI 56900 E-Learning Project Final Report EDCI 62700 Agile ISD PM Template

Sub-competency 3: 
Develops and evaluation plan for a project based on stated goals and recognized standards

In EDCI 57700 Strategic Assessment and Evaluation, I created an Evaluation Plan for an instructional product I created in EDCI 57200 for the Tennessee Robotics Club. The instructional product was designed to teach the process of submitting an online engineering notebook entry following the FIRST Tech Challenge Engineering guidelines. The first step in my course evaluation plan began with the learner’s reaction to the new training course. As Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick (2006) point out: “Evaluating reaction is the same thing as measuring customer satisfaction” (p. 27). This was an important first step in the evaluation process because understanding how my learners reacted to the training program helped me determine if learning is likely to occur. Following on from there, I included a level 2 evaluation to help identify if the learning objectives were met. My level 2 instruments included a final assessment and a performance test. According to Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick (2006), if the learning objectives were not met, then no change in behavior can be expected (p.42). For level 3, I created a performance survey questionnaire to evaluate the skill areas in entering meeting details, reflection, media submission, and completeness. For level 4, I created a focus group interview to evaluate the true impact of the training program. I chose a focus group to measure results because they work best in small group settings and where conversations are typically more constructive by focusing on key areas for discussion (Elkeles, Phillips & Phillips, 2014, pp. 56-57).

Of all the artifacts in my portfolio, I am most proud of the work I put together for this evaluation plan. The Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation model are easy to follow and very systematic in its evaluation approach. Before taking this course, evaluating training was a weak area in my professional competency because, quite frankly, this is one area of the ADDIE model that is most overlooked in corporate training environments. Because of this course on Strategic Assessment and Evaluation using the Kirkpatrick 'Four Levels of Evaluation' model, I am confident that I can perform an evaluation plan on my future learning design projects. 

EDCI 57700 Evaluation Plan

Competency Reflection

This competency area reflects the level of practical knowledge and expertise I have gained from the Purdue LDT program. The artifacts I have chosen to represent competency area 7 demonstrate my ability to design, plan, and develop effective instructional designs and evaluation plans to help organizations achieve their desired goals and performance criteria.

References

Elkeles, T., Phillips, P., & Phillips, J. (2014). Measuring the success of learning through technology. Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training & Development.

Horton, W. (2012). E-learning by design (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer, Wiley

Kirkpatrick, D.L. & Kirkpatrick, J.D. (2006). Evaluating training programs: The four levels (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Barrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

Stolovitch, H.D. & Keeps, E.J. (2004). Training ain’t performance. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press.
Share by: