ID/IDT Methods in Business & Industry (EDT5410, Wk. 8)

Many years ago I worked for a large manufacturing company in the manufacturing engineering department. Within the department, we had industrial engineers who in my opinion were actually HPI/HPT specialists. They spent much of their time on the manufacturing floor performing time studies; watching people work. Through their first-hand observations, they were able to work with individuals, managers, and departments to redesign processes resulting in higher performance, reduced injury, increased profits, etc.

In essence, I do this everyday in my job; as people call the Helpdesk for assistance with some type of system or technology, I analyze their “process” and “retrain” them so that they can be more effective/efficient with their use of technology. By monitoring the type and frequency of help requests (analysis), I become aware of knowledge gaps and take the necessary steps to initiate some type of training intervention (design/development). Once training is delivered, I can evaluate its success and the transfer of knowledge by again monitoring the type and frequency of Helpdesk calls (evaluation).

The annual required blood borne pathogens (BBP) training is an incontrovertible example of IDT in the workforce; no longer must employees gather for scheduled sessions with a trainer. Training is delivered via a web-based interface; the individual progresses through the informational material then takes a short quiz. If an acceptable test score is achieved, the employee’s information is updated in the BBP training database, otherwise the individual can work through the information again until mastery is accomplished.

KPS uses this BBP re/training method; the advantages of this web-based model include: ability of the employee to complete the training as time permits; elimination of the necessity of group meetings and trainers; and minimization of cost of consumable materials.

EDT5410 Reflections

I have been challenged by the tasks, and validated by the reading. Since I am not a certified teacher, prior to this class I had not made a concrete connection between what I do and instructional design/technology; but the correlation unconditionally exists.

I would prefer the course to include scheduled “lecture/chat” time. In previous courses that I’ve taken online, a chat/lecture session was conducted by the instructor with an open chat window for students to interact and ask questions. The students could hear the instructor, see whatever examples s/he displayed, type questions, see the questions/comments typed by other students and interact with each other all the way around. This session was not mandatory, but I found it to be very helpful and as students we had some excellent “dialogue” during these sessions.

I feel that I have hastily grasped the technology-related task aspects of the course, but not mastered them; I would like to have spent a little more time with each. Perhaps a week to investigate and perform comparative analysis between service providers and discuss our findings collectively, then a week to create/implement the service would have resulted in a more complete and functional understanding of the application. For example, if we had done comparative analysis on the different blog providers prior to selecting one, we could have known that some necessitated an established account as a requisite to posting comments, or that some do not allow “enclosures” for podcasts. I will need to do much more independent research, trial and error before I can effectively integrate the technologies that we’ve addressed to date. I have some great ideas on how I could use these technologies in my job, but not the expertise to do it…yet…I’ll get there!

I think, as students, we need to make a more concerted effort to ensure that everyone receives at least one response to their blog weekly. This is very doable if we all post our new blog in a timely manner.

Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying the course, challenged by the tasks, and intrigued by the text. The reference links for the weekly assignments have been very applicable and helpful.

I’m a sponge…I love to learn, if I could make a living taking college courses, I would!