Section 5: Trends and Issues in Various Settings

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is a great way to speed up the instructional design process through the use of a working model. An example of this might be the development of word processing software. The designers might ask themselves some basic questions such as, Question: “What do I want to type?” Answer: “Letters, essays, short stories, poems and novels.” In the United States the standard format for these type writings is on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, which will become the pallet for the model. Q: “What other functions might be needed?” A: Fonts, Bold, Underline, Colors, Page numbers etc.

Once the basic needs are established then the directives are given to the programmers to put a basic model together. Once it is together, the team of subject matter expert’s (SME’s) and instructional designers (ID’s) can begin to work with it, modifying and improving it until there is a finished product. The finished product may be completely different than the original prototype or may just be an advanced variation.

In education, there are many possibilities for “Rapid Prototyping”. One such application might be the creation of a distance learning website. The ID would talk to the SME’s on what is to be designed taking into account learning theories, the two would establish a working model. The model might be comprised of a Syllabus, Links to important resources, a method for distributing course assignments, a calendar, a way to turn in assignments, rubrics, grade tracking etc. Thumbnails of the project could be discussed with programmers and graphic artists to come up with an initial working model that could be used and utilized to assess function on an ongoing basis.

Even lesson plans could have a rapid prototype. Teachers build lesson plans and continually modify them based on what works and what does not work. If a teacher has never had a failed lesson plan they are probably not trying new things. As teachers build a lesson, they should feel that it is a prototype. Once it is in shape, they should present it to their pupils. After, they should assess the lesson for achieving the intended result and then modify the plan based on the findings.

Full Spectrum Diagram

The military presents many unique environments for instruction and education. While we might design computer simulations for use in a garrison, or volumes of instructional manuals for a classroom, the soldiers deployed in the field may not have access to these tools. Designing instructional aids across the Full Spectrum of the service men and women’s needs is vital.

Some instructions may be in the form of mini pocket books that could be easily tucked away in a uniform for reading in the field. IPods could be loaded with audio instruction. Small solar chargers could recharge hand held devices. Technology such as kindle reader could be loaded up with training information and charged from a military vehicle. Cell phones such as the iPhone could have military applications (apps) built into them for access where service is available. Communications radios could be set up with a modem for transmission of information. Depending on the level of security, all files could be encrypted.

If teaching in a classroom or garrison, the options seem limitless given budget. Finding the resources with the highest relative advantage for instructional goals is paramount. The classroom could utilize white boards, WebQuest activities, audio, video, instructional manuals, models, laboratories, and simulations.

Staff Development

To introduce staff members to the methodologies of Guidance System for Transforming Education (GSTE) and Step-Up-To-Excellence (SUTE) a one day seminar might be used.

GSTE & SUTE SEMINAR

I.              THEME: CHANGE

A.    Send out a newsletter with a photo of coins (Change)

B.    Establish the theme by asking staff to change something for the meeting (clothes, hair, nails, etc. nothing too bizarre!)

C.   Have staff enter the seminar area with David Bowie’s “Changes” looped on an audio

II.            Warm-up Presentation: Embracing Change

A.    Looping video of Erik Erikson’s Developmental Crises, photos of technological advances, plants changing with seasons, old photos contrasted with digital age imagery and evolution models.

B.    T-shirts for participants a chameleon on the front  and the slogan, “Change is a good thing!” on the back

C.   A welcome bag with a copy of the presentation, a pen (with multiple ink colors for changing ideas), and a notepad (chameleon if possible)

III.           Presentation

A.    Video testimonials of Superintendents and School officials who have implemented the two methods

B.    Video showing the types of changes implemented

C.   Break for Lunch (Theme related...Ethnic foods?)

D.   Guest speaker for GSTE or presenter

1.    White board presentation (Flip Chart of Core Values)

2.    White board presentation of the IV Phases

3.    Speech on how the changes took place in a real district and their effects

E.    Guest speaker for SUTE or presenter

1.    White board presentation of the 5 Steps

2.    Speech on how changes in a real district took place and effects

F.    Question and Answer

G.   Conclude with David Bowie’s “Changes”

University Faculty Development Offices

University of North Texas (UNT)

The University of North Texas has a button on its homepage for “Faculty and staff”. From there, under the “Human Resources Department” is a link for “Training and Development”. There are a large number of items listed in a catalog of training options. The issues range from basic employee benefits, business communication, ethics, and how to cope with change to handling difficult conversations, mentoring, project management and conflict resolution. The training list is vast; however, I was unable to find anything specifically related to pedagogy for instructors.

There are courses scheduled every month except September. A list of the 2010 training courses may be found at this link: http://www.hr.unt.edu/main/pdf/training/Training_flyer.pdf . There are between 2 and 10 courses available each month except September, so training opportunities are robust.

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

The Southern Methodist website has a button for a Faculty and Staff page. Scrolling down that page on the left side brings you to a link for SMU Human Resources. That takes you to a page with a link to the human resources home page. On the left side of the page there is a menu that includes “Recruit U”, “Develop U”, “Benefits U” and “Healthy U”. Each of these buttons will take you to various educational opportunities. The Develop U site has several workshops, short sessions and customized learning options. The actual courses for faculty are orientations, preventing sexual harassment, and benefits. There is nothing in particular on pedagogy. The seminars are geared toward resolving issues, having tough conversations, managing projects and managing other people. Courses are given monthly and may be accessed from this link: http://smu.edu/hr/develop/

Texas Christian University (TCU)

Texas Christian University has a technology button prominently on their faculty page. By clicking on the Faculty Staff button on the home page, you will land on the faculty page with several large buttons to select . Technology Resources and Human Resources are both prominently displayed. Selecting technology will take you to a page that home page and at the top there is a button for “Training”. Selecting http://www.tr.tcu.edu/training.htm  brings you to a menu for training on MS Office3, Mac OS X Leopard and Office, Self training, SharePoint User Group and Windows 7 training. In December there are 7 courses available ranging from Mail Merge to PowerPoint, and several advanced tutorials on MS Word. I was very excited to see TCU up to speed on technology issues and found the site well managed and easy to use.

Clicking on Human Resources (HR) from the Faculty page takes you to the HR homepage. At the top of that page there is a link for training. This will take you to http://www.hr.tcu.edu/515.htm .TCU offers actual developmental classes that could be helpful for pedagogy, though not directly called out as instructor courses. They offer classes on books and creating checklists, management, a just for fun section with a holiday fashion show and tasting party. There are also the more mundane benefits and crucial conversations and confrontations, but all in all, a great site with a lot of options for faculty and staff. This was the best site that I visited.