Week 10 Post 2

Job Aid Creation:

http://www.webwritingthatworks.com/CGuideJOBAID.htm
This site is very useful and layed out in a step by step format. I would say it is a job aid for creating a job aid! While it is aimed at web-based writing, I was able to take a good deal of information and apply it to my project.


http://www.qaproject.org/jobaids/presentations/Moore%20-%20How%20to%20Write%20a%20Job%20Aid.pdf
This site is a powerpoint type presentation on how to write a useable job aid. Some of the important information I took away was formatting (sequential vs algorithm), use action verb+object, highlight important information, and if you use pictures, use callouts.

files.asme.org/Volunteer/VOLT/13290.doc
This is actually a job aid for writing training materials. It is layed out in a grid fashion with major headings and examples of each.

The output was a fun and motivational job aid that I can hang on my refrigerator and follow on Sunday mornings. The house looks great and it only took a little while! No more wasted time :)

Week 10 Post 1

Today I started the job analysis for my Assignment 3 part 2. To prepare for the data collection phase, I reviewed additional information about job analysis techniques. http://www.job-analysis.net/G013.htm had a lot of useful information. I decided that, based on the following criteria, that my job aid met the requirements for a job analysis.

"The Observation method of Job Analysis is suited for jobs in which the work behaviors are 1) observable involving some degree of movement on the part of the incumbent, or 2) job tasks are short in duration allowing for many observations to be made in a short period of time or a significant part of the job can be observed in a short period of time, or 3) jobs in which the job analyst can learn information about the job through observation. "

From this site, I determined my plan of action would be to "observe" myself doing the tasks required. First, a list of tasks is needed. Then I will complete each task while timing myself. I will then arrange the tasks in a logical arrangement. The website stated that observation allows the job analyst to not only view the job but also the work environment, tools, and barriers to completion. Since I am both the observer and the worker being observed, it is possible that my data collection will interfere with my normal work process. In this case, that is desirable for I already know the normal work process is the undesirable outcome.

A second website, http://www.opm.gov/HiringToolkit/docs/jobanalysis.pdf, had specific steps to conducting a job analysis. The first step is:
•Develop a comprehensive list of the tasks and competencies that define the job

So... I am off and running. I have already done the first step however I may adjust as I go along. The next blog entry for the week will be research on the acutal steps in creating a job aid. But by then I will be enjoying a clean house AND half of my homework done :)

Week 9 - Spring Break

Yeah! Spring Break. I didn't complete any assignments but did review Dreamweaver skills in preparation for my next Jury submission. I made a new personal website and will soon transfer my SIUE content there for permanent placement. www.ginasworld.net

Week 8 Post 2

On a whim tonight I decided to look for jobs as a Human Performance Technologist. Many times I learn as much about the industry from detailed job ads as I do from other sources.

The simply hired site had many openings for a HPT. Most companies required experience with ADDIE as related to performance improvement initiatives. The company L-3 communications has the majority of ads. Locations for the jobs are around the country and seem to involve defense dept. contracts. http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-Human+Performance+Technologist

Another search revealed a position as the Asst Professor of Human Performance at IU. This position required the usual teaching responsibilities in the HPT area but also wanted an experienced consultant to corporations. This is always a plus in an instructor - real world experience can add valuable examples for students.
http://www.indiana.edu/~ist/students/jobs/showjob.phtml?job=1715

Job #3 was found in a Christian company in Nashville (http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=79837460&AVSDM=2009-03-10%2014:32:00&WT.mc_n=RSS2005_JSR). This position required a master's degree and is probably related to designing programs within a learning management system.

The final job reviewed this evening was for a Senior Analyst, Performance Technology. This postition requrired similar training but seemed more targeted to Human Resources management than to design of training systems. This candidate will oversee the broad application of training technology within the company.http://www.empleoscb.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?job_did=J8D55B792P59D380QDD&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=4f0ad99f50a54bebb2125e89cb0b3235-290464125-x6-6

Week 8 Post 1

When reviewing the syllabus for more search ideas I found "meta data tagging" for Assignment 4. I didn't know anything about this term so decided to add to today's blog.
As usual the Wikipedia entry came up first. It defined meta data tag as a descriptor used to find information on web searches. Since I always get a Wikipedia entry when using Google for searches, I am assuming it is well-tagged!

The next two sites listed below were not helpful to my learning. I really wanted to find more information about meta data tagging as related to the assignment so I adjusted my search to also include training materials. The site from noaa was terrific and included many training materials related to writing metadata from courses they had developed. The next site I reviewed was from the national training systems association. This site was really an abstract from an article combining the best of manual and machine tagging of information. It reviewed why tagging was important to the purpose of training and getting timely training material when it is needed.

All in all I feel comfortable after reviewing these sites with what a meta data tag is and why it is used in a training system.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag_(metadata)
http://www.seoconsultants.com/meta-tags/
http://blog.madebyderek.com/archives/2007/01/12/as3-projects-and-the-swf-metadata-tag/
http://csc.noaa.gov/metadata/curriculum/modules.html
http://ntsa.metapress.com/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,25,158;journal,3,12;linkingpublicationresults,1:113340,1

Week 7 Post 2

For my second post of the week, I used the EPSS information as a jumping off point and reviewed some real life examples of good systems as found at http://www.pcd-innovations.com/samples.htm.

The first sample I chose was for the IRS. It was very interesting to see that the ASTD Standards were addressed and detailed. Many, many of the other items detailed were also applications that I have seen previously in this course. The template used for all of the EPSS reviews were the same: Product, Product Description, Product Use, Deliverables, What difference does this tool make, and finally, my favorite, What makes this tool EXTRAORDINARY.

The IRS site's reason for extraordinary was a heightened awareness among employees and a forward momentum for agency improvement.

Another site, Auxillium, stated it's extraordinariness was due to sharing and collaboration tools that allowed non-instructional designers to create dynamic learning environments for their learners.

A third site, Knowlege Stream, became interesting as I read the descriptions. I have actually used their Health Risk Assessment product during an employee wellness campaign. This product is an interactive questionnaire that creates a Health Risk score based on the answers. It then can be modified by the learner to see how changing habits can increase or lower their risks. This company had put a lot of extraordinary details on their information. Of interest was that data mining technology is used to develop troubleshooting procedures, improve performance support, and identify customer useage patterns. This could be a very important feature for continually improving and refining the EPSS for its target audience and goals.

This is a terrific resource that ties many concepts that I've been learning about over the past couple of years.

Week 7 Post 1

This week I went back to the suggested topic list and chose electronic performance support systems (EPSS). This is another area that I am not familiar with so I used Google for that phrase. Of course, Wikipedia was high on the list. Several definitions of EPSS were present. The one that was the most helpful to my understanding states that EPSS is "a computer-based system that improves worker productivity by providing on-the-job access to integrated information, advice, and learning experiences." The success of the EPSS is dependent on the knowledge base on which the EPSS is built.

After getting a brief overview from Wikipedia, I went to another entry on my Google list. The MSU site discussed types of EPSS'. This site had a lot more useful information although the date listed on the site is 1993. I am unsure how much these systems have changed in 16 years but I would suspect that the theories are still pertinent while the technology has advanced.

This site shows the "key" charactersistics of an EPSS as

• computer-based
• provide access to the discrete, specific information needed to perform a task at the time the task is to be performed
• used on the job, or in simulations or other practice of the job
• controlled by the user
• reduce the need for prior training in order to accomplish the task

The site then goes on to describe development of an EPSS which is typically a stand alone system, one added onto an existing system, or and entirely new system that is integrated with work processes.

This site was easy to read and comprehensive. The downside is the age of the information so I went back to the Google list and chose a 2004 article from Usability and User Experience. This article title indicated it would concentrate on designing an effective EPSS. However, I found that it was more of a detailed sales brochure that gave screen shots and examples of the product that was being presented. It was interesting to see the application of the design principles I had just read about in the 1993 information used here as the basis of the design. As I had suspected, the principles stood the test of time as the technology advanced. This page also detailed some of the usability features that I have been studying in IT580.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_performance_support_systems
https://www.msu.edu/~sleightd/epss_copy.html
http://www.stcsig.org/usability/newsletter/0401-epss.html