ISPI Utah

Session Title: Rapid Analysis? Get the ANSWER!

Date & Time: September 30th, 2011,  12 Noon - 1 PM

Location: BYU Salt Lake Center Auditorium (See Meetings link to the left for more details.)

Session Description 

Marketing professionals have long relied on a simple-but-useful SWOT analysis when time and cost prohibit a more in-depth approach. And how often does that happen? As experts in training and performance, we must be nimble enough to scale our own analyses in a similar fashion but without foregoing a systematic process. In this presentation, originally delivered at THE Performance Improvement Conference 2011, we’ll review the six questions that constitute an “ANSWER analysis,” an approach to rapid needs analysis in learning and development that helps one gather and evaluate key factors before developing a solution. Using all or part of our ANSWER analysis tool can increase our ability to add value to our organizations and to develop solutions aligned to the needs and opportunities within those unique environments. In this way, we build credibility for our roles as internal consultants who help our stakeholders understand exactly how training and development contributes to the bigger picture.

Presenters

Michael Noble, PhD, became Allen’s CLO in 2005. Michael consults with our major accounts and strategic partners—identifying enterprise-wide targets and objectives, conducting strategic analyses, and recommending new technologies. He also leads Allen’s courseware development group. Before joining Allen in 1998, Michael taught at the University of Louisiana. He currently teaches at the University of Utah.

Michael Hassett, PhD, brought 20 years of experience in education, technical communication, and project management with him when he joined Allen in 2006.  He received his PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication from Iowa State and has been a professor at two major western universities. With Charles Kostelnick, he published Shaping Information: The Rhetoric of Visual Conventions (2003). Michael has managed projects for Farmers, Wachovia, Discover, and the Risk Management Association.

Preventing Information Overload: Balancing Visual Forms and Textual Information

July 29th, 2011 - 12:00 Noon at that BYU Salt Lake Center

Noël Alton  Editor - Courses of Study at Western Governors University

The way information is presented is as important as the information being presented. The design of a web-page, or presentation, can affect the viewer’s ability to process the information. The recent literature on visual design recognizes the need for some kind of "balance" between color/form elements and textual elements thought to convey the essential information, but most discussions have lacked both a coherent theory of information design and any kind of clear quantitative evidence to support specific claims about how much decorative color/form is too much, on one hand, and how much textual information is too much, on the other hand.  This presentation describes a coherent theory of information design, empirical evidence in support of that theory and also in support of specific design recommendations.

Meeting June 24th at noon. Location: BYU Salt Lake Center

Improving the Quality of Education and Training Programs through Design Methodology

The quality of an academic or training program has a significant influence on learning, retention, and satisfaction. When learners see how the discrete units of their study are relevant or fit together, they not only engage deeply in content but are able to apply the content to relevant, personal situations. Given this, a clear focus on design methodology is necessary to produce cohesive, integrated academic and training programs, which result in competent graduates. Drawing from the Western Governors University design and development process, we will lead a discussion on evaluating the quality of a degree program, workplace training program, or individual course.

Presenters:

Rob Barton is a doctoral student in the Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences department at Utah State University.  He works as an Instructional Designer in the Program Design & Development department at Western Governors University.  Prior to joining WGU, he directed the Computer & Information Literacy program at USU.  Rob's research interests include evaluating instructional effectiveness, adult education, increasing end-user productivity, and virtual collaboration tools.

Jaymes Myers is the project manager for Program Design and Development at Western Governors University. At WGU, Jaymes works with multiple stakeholders in the planning, design, and development of new and redeveloped degree programs. He has been teaching and designing curriculum in the areas of speech and organizational communication since 2006. Jaymes received his MS in Communication from the University of Utah, focusing on instruction, organizational theory, and work identity.

Improving Performance and Learning through Coaching and Shadowing
Lance Brown, Manager, Instructional Design & Technology Group, Learning & Education, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

 Session Description

We talk a lot about on-the-job learning; that you can only take a learner so far through formal learning, but where the growth really takes place is "on-the-job." Is it something that just happens organically or can we influence it, impact it in way that make it more efficient and effective? Long ago, craftsman of many trades took on an apprentice who would work with the master, learn the vocation, and eventually take over or open their own shop. It was an effective way to develop true expertise and mastery. The concept of the learning organization has rekindled the nuances of the apprenticeship. By establishing a corporate culture of coaching and shadowing, individuals enter into a purposeful relationship that fosters learning, reinforces skills and knowledge, and develops a level of mastery any craftsman would be proud of. Who knew Donald Trump was on to something?

Lance Brown is a manager in the Instructional Design & Technology Group of Learning & Education at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) since 2006. PwC is ranked number one on Training Magazine's Top 125. At PwC, Lance works on various face-to-face and elearning programs, employing a variety of different platforms and design strategies. He also works as an internal learning & performance consultant. Lance has a Masters in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. Prior to PwC, Lance was the head of corporate/franchisee training for TCBY. He also managed and designed language training curriculum at Brigham Young University for several years.

When

• Friday, May 27, 2011
• Time: 12 noon – 1 pm
• Arrive early for networking and food @ 11:45
• ISPI will provide a light lunch for this meeting.

Cost

• Free admission for members
• $5 for guests (If you do not have a current membership with ISPI Utah, you can purchase a guest pass for one meeting.)

Location

BYU Salt Lake Center (in the auditorium on the main floor)

345 West North Temple, SLC, UT (directions here)

We’ll validate your parking ticket at the meeting. Free two hour parking is also available at the following locations:

• On northbound 400 West (between North Temple and South Temple)
• On westbound North Temple (west of the Subway Restaurant)
• On northbound 300 West (between North Temple and South Temple)