Need for Specific Learning and Target Audience for the Learning - Coursework Example

Organizational development program Name of student Institutional affiliation Date Introduction I have to come up with an organizational development plan that will enable the community skills and training center to attain an online learning program for the department of community development staff. The department of community development gives care and protects young children and other people of minimal age and gives support to families that are in crisis. As the training manager, I have to create this proposal that will specify the needs for learning online, the targeted group and the outcomes that will be observed by the people. There is also an inclusion of the details of specific learning session plan of a part of the program and a prepared plan of evaluation assessing the outcomes of the program (Patten 2007). The plan is about online learning for the department of community development, which is a three-stage program that indicates the ways training is done and how it will be carried out. I observed that the community skills training Centre is tasked with the work of learning and development in the community, The Centre gives training to more than 1500 employees around the country (Jones 2006). The online learning program aims at improving the efficiency of the administration by enhancing automation process together with the process of enrollment at the center. The online learning program will improve the communication within the work environment and will make a clear definition of its roles and functions. Online learning will help to build the staff capacity by the use of online, learned knowledge. Some of the key outcomes that are intended to be observed includes improvement in the delivery of the course to the staff in the community service and use of computers in the storage of training materials. The use of technology in the online learning will improve the quality of work and will enable the staff to be fast (Patten 2007). Need for specific learning and Target audience for the learning There is need to create a comprehensive strategy that will lead to a serene online learning environment. The online learning program will target the departmental workers and funded organizations that are approved to provide various services (Jex 2008). Online learning will involve training that gives room for the acquisition of various learning methods in a variety of learning environments to cope with various learning styles, interests of learning and the requirements. The main need is to improve the staff online learning capabilities, to improve community service and enhance the contents of online course. The online learning program follows various objectives that are, improvement of literacy levels to the department of community development workers and to incorporate training based on computers for applications used by the department of community development. Also, the online strategy must come up with learning options that are of high quality that will form a part of training periods that will help the staff to share ideas and communicate intellectually during the training period. The online strategy must generate various learning options that will assure the needs of the diverse employees are met (Jex 2008). In the implementation of online learning, I developed a model that will ensure every part is incorporated to ensure efficiency of the strategy. The model is a three stage one; stage one incorporates the initial and the main goal of an online learning project. This strategy will assist in the improvement of the way of work in the community Centre of training various skills. The second stage, the community Centre for training skills will review the project and make an evaluation of the project progress. Making various recommendations will follow if the project can be expanded to other units outside the department of the community development in the organization (Yaeger 2009). The third stage will involve the expansion of the project that will incorporate training for other staff members in the organization and other organization that provide various services to the community. A group of technologies, a group of online courses or any other information followed by a test does not amount to online learning of e-learning. E- Learning is complex and contains a blend of social technologies and physical ones. Online learning also includes various activities, presentations and applications that teach and generates a great e-learning experience. E-learning mostly involves, sharing of knowledge, communicating, group work and support of performance, not just training (Yaeger 2009). I have to provide learners with experience of high quality in online learning. To achieve this, the learner must be engaged, be made to fit the environment of work, ensure interaction and ensure ease of use in the application of technology. The e-learning strategy must provide interaction of high quality and must adhere to adult principles of learning and the various learning styles. With the knowledge that just by taking a book and placing it online does not make people read, I noted that people lack the patience to read every page, listen to a recorded head or watch at automatically run the demonstration. Interaction is the priority where people find the internet even when they are faced with its slowness (Yaeger 2009). Various models can be applied to community skills training Centre to ensure flexibility in learning even with limited resources applied. Blended learning will include a mix of learning activities that will incorporate traditional methods of training for example classroom learning (Silberman 2006). The two models that will be used in community skills training Centre online learning are communities of practice and online learning model. In the model of communities of practice, a group of individuals who are informal have a common passion or interest and will share and learn to come up with solutions from their knowledge and will. Promotion of online learning in communities of practice is due to the conducive environment that will enable people to interact. The various strategies used in the communities of practice model includes; promotion. Where an e-mail needs to be sent to all department of community development staff requesting them to be members of communities of practice by using a link (Silberman 2006).Orientation is another strategy that community skills are training Centre can use to provide information to the ways of joining and the people to contact. So as to come up with communities of practice and get help from the community skills training Centre online portal administrator. In the resource repository strategy, the site must ensure the upload feature can allow a variety of file documents, for example, word, excel, pdf, PowerPoint videos among others. This will enhance sharing of information among various participants in the organization. In the communication tools strategy, there should be the creation of discussion groups and forums, dialogs and choices that will ensure the participants interact with each other and have idea sharing. The strategy of evaluation will involve communities monitoring of their activeness. I created a forum to get feedback from the target group regarding the importance of the facility and get various ideas that will lead to its improvement (Silberman 2006). In the online learning model, the main aim is to promote the available face to face learning methods. A variety if models can be used to deliver this blended form of learning. The strategies the can be used in online learning model includes promotion where email and phone communication will be held to inform on the new online system that will assist in the face of face options of learning (Schmuck 2012). I have to include links that will provide various examples of how to apply guidelines and documents completion. Orientation will involve assistance from the website administrator, this will involve facilitators who will be trained for two days on how to create community skills training Centre content for their staff and a few members of department of community staff. The model will also include resource repository, the uploading of files icon should support the various form of documents such as office, word, access, word among others. This is at the time when sessions are in progress after they occur. For communication tools in online learning model, some tools can be applied by the participants so that they can communicate with the facilitators and other learners in the time of sessions and after the sessions occur. The tools that can be incorporated includes chats, dialogs, and discussion forums among others. Other activities and resources the community skills and training Center can apply to improve the learning experience that is engaging may include, use of assessments, exercises, lessons, and workshops (Philips 2013). When implementing the online learning strategy, there are some issues and barrier that may arise, research shows that technology and lack of access to the internet are the major barriers. Some of other serious barriers and issues include; lack of proper network or infrastructure, the computers use both software and hardware that may be costly to the learner. The other barrier involved reduced, or no support from the learners, the information technology department, the tutors and the students may prove unresponsive. Poor interaction habits is also an issue; this is both with the tutors and peers that lead to poor motivation (Philips 2013). The institution may lack a developed learning culture, the teachers may not be professionally developed, may give unclear instructions and may be using inadequate resources in their practice. Outcomes for the learning I considered some of the issues the community skills training Centre has identified. The program developers have been slow to the process of online registration together with the community skills training center. There is a time lag in implementation of schedules due to lateness in delivery timelines. There have been problems with technology since the internet is slow causing difficulties in internet access. This is more prevalent in the regional areas where more advantages from online learning will be observed than in other areas. The support staff also lack expertise and technical support, so the plan is accommodative and is in-house at the community skills and training center (Philips 2013). The organization currently has one competent content developer, so the site administration and development are not properly managed. The training and facilitator development should be equipped well with information technology skills to equip them well with online learning basics (Hanneberg 2005). In the department of community development, the learners have poor information skills and confidence and the plan gives various solutions to this. Across the department of community development, it can be observed there is low learner motivation that is caused by huge work and time scale given. It can be observed from the Training Centre that only some of the staff have access to the internet this is because only staff above certain levels have access to the internet. It can be noted that the resource materials are obsolete, and the information available cannot fit the current technology. Some recommendations I could make that will enable learners to adapt the online learning process. There should be the flexibility of time and place of learning so that learners have convenience. The teachers should be responsive, available and adhere to the interaction of students. The quality of materials should also be improved, the materials should be well designed, updated, have ease of reading and have instructiveness. Some of the short-term strategies I would give to the community skills training center are; looking for alternative program developers or add the number of competent ones. On the technology shortcomings, ensure that huge files are not uploaded to the site but are distributed in the form of compact discs such as video and audio files. Ensuring all the department of community development are equipped with basic computer skills and show of how to use the community skills training Centre online (Haanneberg 2005). In the site development and planning, ensure that at least one staff member can help in learning of staff and start planning of succession. To the facilitator training, ensure that there is the provision of basic computer skills to help create confidence and provide more online learning skills that will enhance facilitation and training. Ensure that all department of the community development staff is provided with basic computer training in the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint among other basics that will help them boost their confidence. In the internet access shortcoming, the plan ensures that all the department of community development staff has access to the internet. The learners should also be motivated, ample time should be dedicated to online learning, this is with the help of community skills training online facilitators. On the resource materials, the plan ensures the quality of the materials in observed, proper budgeting to be done to ensure quality materials are acquired that will suit the learning needs of the organization (McLean 2006). Some of the medium term strategies the plan highlights includes, employment of a competent and a well dedicated web developer who will take good care of the site. The plan looks at various ways that can be used to improve the bandwidth to address the issues of technology; this will enable the ease of sharing of some files such as audio and video files (McLean 2006). The resource materials in online learning should incorporate virtual learning conditions where an alternative way of information delivery can be used to keep learners in touch with the teachers. Some benefits can be gained in the organization after the implementation of the program, online learning will minimize accommodation and traveling costs for the participants who are regionally located. Time will be saved as there will be no so much need to travel since training can be completed online. The training will be flexible and effective since the learning can accommodate various options and can adapt to various environments. Their customer service will be improved in the organization and the proceeding time will improve for the customers. The information system will help in cost reduction due to reassignment of the existing processes of work. The online learning program will improve the data collection process in the form of attendance, result assessment and improvement of learning activities (Yaeger 2009). The employees will benefit as the learning will be flexible as they can learn from anywhere and at any time they want due to material all time available on the internet. The teaching approach will be staff centered, and it will be easy to control how and when they learn. The organization will enjoy working with people who have improved computer literacy as it is a requirement for the modern business (Yaeger 2009). Online Learning will assist in the provision of immediate performance feedback, will improve and increase the staff confidence that will lead to more developments professionally. Part of Session plan Target Group: Department of community development Staff Session Title: Online learning Date 11 July 2015 Location: Department of community development Computer Laboratory Number of Participants: 50 Learning Outcome: Learners should be able to: Make a presentation, apply AutoContent Wizard, and create. And save a presentation, make a new presentation, Include Pictures, printing of handouts and run a finished presentation. Assessment methods: assessment questions s to indicate the knowledge and hands-on activities to check the learning progress Resources: Computer lab, a computer for every learner, Instructors computer connected to a projector. Whiteboards, markers, Flip charts and marker pens Student Notes and PowerPoint presentations Timeline Main points methods and learning aids Ref 9.00am Introduction – 15 minutes Method and Resources Page 15minutes 15minutes Introduction of Student Introduction – briefing by the facilitator Introduction – Brief outline Topic- Basic PowerPoint Presentations Outcomes: indicated on the course outline. Need: Why use PowerPoint and breaks. Activities: To check understanding – hands-on. Name, role, Point knowledge Students ask me questions Mini-lecture Whiteboard and mini-lecture Mini-lecture Mini-lecture Discussions and agreements 5 9.30am Session 1 – (45 minutes) Method or Resources Page 30minutes Session outcomes – Orientation PowerPoint Screen Open existing presentation Task Panes Switching between Views Navigating in Design View Close presentation mini-lecture and Point On-screen demo or Student notes Open - 5 Rules presentation Slide Design Normal, Sorter, Onscreen Mouse, and keyboard 7 10.00am Session 2 – (30minutes) Method or Resources Page 30minutes Session outcome – New Presentation AutoContent Wizard – Corporate View Slide Show Save presentation Text Layouts – Slide 2 Add Text – Slide 3 Format Text – slide 3 Add slide – after slide 3 (becomes Slide 4) Delete slide – slide 6 or 7 Move and Resize Text Refer student exercise notes Employee Induction On-screen demo or Student notes Save AS: CSTC Training change to 2 column On screen together Font - resize, color, bullets Heading-Products and Services Won’t use these today… Text on right or half box size 20 10.30am Morning tea – (15minutes) 10.45am Session 3 – (1hr 15minutes) Method or Resources Page 30minutes Session outcome – Pictures Save from web and insert from file On-screen demo or Student notes Refer student exercise note 40 11.15pm Session 4 – (60 minutes) Method or Resources Page 60minutes Session outcome – Practice Exercise Create Own 5 slide presentation (any topic) Work or leisure topic 57 12.15pm Session 4 – (10 minutes) Method or Resources Page 15 minutes Session outcome - Present a Slide Show Printing Handouts Transporting presentation Mini lecture and Student Notes 143 12.30 pm Conclusion – (5 minutes) Method or Resources Page 10 minutes Outcomes – Recap 5P’ s Feedback Future – create professional presentations mini-lecture and Point feedback questionnaire lecture 186 12.40pm Finish Evaluation plan In the plan evaluation to measure success, application of Kirkpatrick's model is effectively used. This will help to evaluate the effectiveness of the online learning, the effects it has on the organization and how it affects the learning of students. The first level looks into the reactions of the teachers and the participants after the Introduction of the online learning. The second level is concerned about the learning process where there is gaining of knowledge, attitudes, and various skills. Level three looks into the behavior of the learners and how they are improving the performance of the job. The fourth level is concerned with the results and whether there is an improvement in performance of the business (Silberman 2006). Day Session 1: Time: 9.00am to 10.30am M/T 10.30am to 11.00 am Session 2: Time 11.00 am to 12.10pm Lunch 12.30pm to 2.00 pm A/T 2.00pm to 2.30 pm Session 3: Time: 2.30 pm to 4.00pm A/T $.00 pm to 4.30pm Session 4: Time 4.30pm to 6.00pm 1 Introduction of online learning. M/T Reactions after the introduction of online learning. Lunch A/T Learners contribute to the learning experience. A/T Results on the reaction after the introduction of online learning. 2 Learning process. M/T Gaining of knowledge among other skills. Lunch A/T Learners discuss on the various topics to gain more experience and knowledge A/T Results on gaining of knowledge among other skills. 3 Behavior of the learners. M/T Improvements on the performance. Lunch A/T Information is recorded regarding the learners improvements on the perfomance. A/T Results on improvement of performance. I know that it will be more difficult to come up with relative costs regarding flexible learning compared to the traditional way of learning. The successfulness of a method will depend on the specific strategy applied, the changes in the organization structure made and the proper configuration of the adopted technology (Jex 2008). Some costs will be incurred in the implementation of the online learning plan, those for the establishment and the costs that will recur after the establishment of the strategy. Technology and adoption of computers come with recurrent expenses, and online learning is more costly as compared to the traditional forms of learning that is face to face. I have identified some tools that will enable measuring of the success of the training program. These are feedback forms that will be filled by the participants after completion of each session to highlight on what can be improved. Also, the learning activities tools is used to measure the learners level of comprehension for the subject. Application of manager’s appraisals is useful to observe the adoption of the skills in the workplace and work metrics tool. The metrics tool is used to indicate the number of trainees enrolled and trained, those approved to be competent and various complaints raised by the clients. I have noted that for each stage of the online learning program, program costs will be itemized and will incorporate both recurring cost and the costs of establishment. The cost of the establishment such as costs incurred in the upgrade in the information systems need to be analyzed. This is to indicate the amount to be used at the training Centre and then divided into three times to cover each stage of the plan (Silberman 2006). In the implementation of the program, some quality measures of control need to be implemented. Creation of templates for the commonly used documents will ensure consistency among the documents in the organization (Jones 2006). Meeting will be held on monthly basis that will involve a group of qualified trainers and various departments' managers to review the contents of the course and the various resources available so as to come up with ways of improvement. References Baughman, J. P. (1969). The history of American management: Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice-Hall. Haneberg, L. (2005). Organization development basics. Alexandria, VA: ASTD. Jex, S. M., & Britt, T. W. (2008). Organizational Psychology: A scientist-practitioner approach. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons. Jones, B. B., & Brazzel, M. (2006). The Handbook of Organization Development and Change: New York: John Wiley & Sons. McLean, G. N. (2006). Organization development: Principles, processes, performance. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Patten, L. G. (2007). Strategic organization development. Bloomington, IN: Author House. Phillips, P. P., Phillips, J. J., & Zúñiga, L. (2013). Measuring the success of organization development: A step-by-step guide to measuring impact and calculating ROI. Alexandria, VA, USA: ASTD Press. Schmuck, R. A., Bell, S. E., & Bell, W. E. (2012). The Handbook of organization development in schools and colleges: Building regenerative capacity. Silberman, M., & Phillips, P. (2006). The 2006 ASTD organization development & leadership sourcebook. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press. Yaeger, T. F., & Sorensen, P. F. (2009). Strategic organization development: Managing change for success. Charlotte, N.C: Information Age Pub. Read More