Analysis Techniques for Instruction

Criteria: Evidence of utilizing validation techniques (checking the source, researching the author - education, experience, reputation, how many times cited, etc.).

Artifact: Online Collaboration Tools and Annotated Bibliographies

Reflection

For the competency, "using appropriate techniques to analyze various types and sources to validate content," I will be using a paper I wrote about online collaboration tools used by instructional designers, along with five annotated bibliographies. The paper presents three tools I currently use as an ID, a summary of their functions and potential uses, and links to the collaboration tools. I also included annotated bibliographies of five websites and scholarly peer-reviewed articles that I could use for writing future papers.

The first part of this paper involved presenting three collaboration tools that Instructional Designers use. When I wrote about these tools, I focused on ones I had previously used or was currently using. For each tool, I provided a summary of what it was and how it could be applied. At the end of each paragraph, I included a link so the professor could find the tool. It was interesting to share my experiences with the tools I use daily.

The second part of this paper involved writing five annotated bibliographies of references I had used or planned to use in future papers. This was the first time I had ever written an annotated bibliography. To ensure I was doing them correctly, I researched the differences between regular references and annotated bibliographies. I also examined a few examples to verify that I was writing them correctly.

              Writing this paper allowed me to talk about collaboration tools that other Instructional Designers could use in their daily work. It allowed me to share that information with others who might not have known about those specific tools. It also gave me a chance to learn how to create and use annotated bibliographies. I ended up using some of the references in later writings.

Criteria: Determine subordinate and prerequisite skills and knowledge.

Artifact: JetBlue Analysis

Reflection

For the competency of “Determining subordinate and prerequisite skills and knowledge.,” I am using my JetBlue analysis from EDCI 577. The documents included a write-up of my recommendation for improving their training program.  It also provides a table for organizing an evaluation plan.

I chose this artifact because it examines how I can develop new skills through an assessment. After reading the case study, I used the information regarding the learning gaps.  I found that although the training was good, some aspects were still missing.  As the company grows, what would stakeholders want employees to know? I determined that JetBlue would benefit from evaluating the current course to develop a training needs analysis.  That training needs analysis would ultimately better determine which prerequisite skills to add. It would also provide more clarity on how the company could improve training as it grows.

I used this particular artifact because it gave me perspective on determining prerequisite skills from a corporate viewpoint. I’ve identified prerequisite skills for a military course before, but I wanted to use this artifact to show that I learned something new—how to determine them in a corporate setting. Although this artifact worked well, I feel like I would actually like to do this in a real-world setting to gain different perspectives, especially since this was a case study.

While working on this assignment, I drew on my past experience in instructional design, particularly from my time on the Navy intelligence cyber training team. During the rewriting of that course, I was part of several working groups and assessments that ultimately helped determine better prerequisites and skills that Intelligence Specialists would need to be successful in the cyber training teams. This experience helped me understand the importance of using different tools to establish knowledge and skills. I gained more depth on how I could organize tools, such as working groups or assessments, to shape training needs.  In the future, I will use the methods I learned in the JetBlue exercise to possibly shape future training projects.