RitaLeets

=Reflection 1=

During the first part of my internship, I met with my mentor and explained my idea to make sure she wanted to participate in this project. She was very enthusiastic about it and the increase in the knowledge base of trainers. A learning opportunity came after I decided to use Moodle for my LMS. I had only heard about Moodle by reading about it in a previous class. I had no information on this system and how it worked. I assumed it worked like BlackBoard. I committed to use a system I knew nothing about and had never used. Now I know that if I am going to take on a project I need to have experience with the technology first hand and not assume anything. After many wasted hours trying to figure out how it worked, looking at video tutorials, and reading information on the site, I decided to change systems for a wiki.

With this out of the way, I could concentrate on looking at my users and their needs. I interviewed a sample of the training department to find out how much they knew about the ADDIE process. Not one of trainers interviewed knew anything about it. I set up my wiki with an introductory page and an overview of ADDIE. I have begun working on that module and deciding what information I need to include based on my departments needs. In the training department, the developers have worked towards filling the gap in knowledge for the trainee. The needs analysis could be illustrated in a mathematical format: What you need know – What you know = New training material. I did some research on ADDIE to help with the analysis. However, for this training I will not cover the whole ADDIE process. I would like to explain the process and point out the parts that can be applied to our current procedure for developing training materials without investing too much time. They are not expected to use this methodology to develop training materials. In addition they have deadlines to meet and they are not based on applying ADDIE to the system.

Mi course is set up in the wiki. For the next deliverable I hope to have a PowerPoint on ADDIE. Some videos they can watch about ADDIE and why we should use it or at least know about it. I may have more than one presentation depending upon the information I want to cover. I don’t want to make the presentation too long. The rationale is that if they have a few minutes to look over the information they can at least get through one entire PowerPoint presentation.

This is the link to my wiki project: http://training-refresher.wikispaces.com/Introduction

This is the link to my time sheets:

http://eta650fa11-leets.wikispaces.com/Time+Sheets+

=**Reflection 2**= I have started posting the Presentations on my wiki. I did not realize until last night that the narration could not be heard in my wiki. I worked for over 3 hours trying to fix this. I saved it as a movie, uploaded to YouTube and tried so many ways that I had a lot of updates to the wiki. Nothing worked. I have 2 presentations done. I have done my research on them and they are very explicit about the ADDIE process. Even though, I go into detail about ADDIE, this will just be background information. Our department will be using a much simplified process and focus on training needs analysis or filling the GAP in training. I expect to do one or two more PowerPoint Presentations, depending upon the amount of information I decided to cover and how in depth I go after talking to my mentor. She has been involved in the process all along, helping me decide what information to leave out and what to include in the presentations. Many of the steps are already performed when designing training in this department. However, there are always good reminders in reviewing the process. I included a reference page in my wiki. It was a little confusing to reference the YouTube video. I will research the proper way to do that. My mentor has been very supportive and even empathized with me about the narration not showing up in the wiki.

=Reflection 3 =

 I have completed module 2 of my project. It is on learning theories. I decided to provide some background on learning theories and the different types of learners. I have included videos to make the modules more entertaining. This module has gone more smoothly than the first one. However, I did have to consult with my mentor on the information and have worked very closely with her every step of the way. She has provided her input and her opinion of what is best for the department. We have decided on meeting 3 times a week for 30 minutes. During that time we go over the information that I plan to include in my power point presentations, videos and organization of the wiki page. The most challenging part of the internship is certainly providing the solution that your client thinks they need. I have supplied my mentor with information on learning theories and the different types of learners and she has asked for simplification of some of the information provided. I have provided simplified solutions for the needs of our department. My internship is progressing according to plan my mentor is satisfied with the progress and the product. = = =Reflection 4=

During this period my mentor was ill for one week. I did not have a chance to meet with her during that week. I researched different videos for my communications module. I decided on one video and posted it to my wiki. After watching the video several times, I decided to consult with my group on whether the video was appropriate. This video included president Bush and another person from his cabinet. It is on communications but seemed a little negative. Another person in my group agreed that the video did not seem professional enough to be on my wiki. I removed the video and found a more suitable video for that part. My mentor requested the communication module to be done since we are having problems on effectively communicating with our new hire trainees. After she came back from her sick leave we got together several times to decide on the content of the communications PPT. I conducted research on the communications model; however, we decided to simplify it and provide pointers on effective communications. After reviewing my research I feel we need another PPT on this subject. I plan to include more suggestions on improving communications and improving the message or ways to present the message. I have a lot of information from my research and I think it will be useful to the developers and presenters to go over this information. Much of the information was reinforced by videos I found on YouTube. Some of my research has included podcasts from itunes. This internship is a great experience in learning to negotiate and deal with management. The issues that arise require flexibility and going back to the drawing board. It does provide a more accurate experience of how designing training works in the corporate world.

=Reflection 5=

As I am approaching the end of my internship the process is getting smoother. These last two weeks my mentor and I decided to look at the information I had gathered from my research. Previously we had decided that I was going to provide an outline of the information I was to include in the PowerPoint. We did this for the Learning Environment module. She looked at all the research and we discussed in detail what she would like to see included in the module. Together we categorized information into 3 different "bins". First, information we could not leave out, completely necessary and relevant to the subject. Second, was supporting information or complementary information. Lastly, some information that could be included at my discretion. Most importantly we discussed what to leave out, by taking out all that information the rest is a matter of deciding how to organize the information in the presentation. We discussed all this information and since the last module about learning environments is small we started discussing the last module.

The last module will include technology resources. However, not only technology will be included so the name may be a little misleading. Anything that I deem helpful will be included. To provide an example, I will include links to icebreaker activities that are fun and interesting. They can be used at the discretion of the trainer if they consider the activities appropriate for the course. We have decided to include some resources that even though may not be available for trainers to use my mentor feels they may provide good ideas and ignite creativity. An example of something like this would be Prezi. In the case of Prezi generic training can be developed. If training material does not include account information then this tool can potentially be used by our trainers. An example of something to be done in Prezi would be training on empathy. Any kind of soft skills training would be a good match for Prezi.

My mentor is very happy with the progress and the content of the course. Overall this internship has provided me with great experience in negotiating skills. Determining content for training courses, flexibility, looking at management's point of view when it comes to information that should be included in the material. Some reasons for certain decisions on information to be left out were explained in detail, showing why it was important to not undermine the strategic direction of the training department.