Instructional Technology Portfolio

MIT 510 Front End Analysis Annotation

Context

This project was developed as a partial requirement for MIT 510: Design and Development of Instructional Technology in the spring semester of 2002 under the direction of Dr. Mahnaz Moallem. The project was developed to analyze and plan to increase Riverdeep software usage of New Hanover County School (NHCS) teachers. A county wide license had been purchased by NHCS and training had taken place on how to use the software. The purpose of the project was to analyze the performance and identify the causes of the performance problem before proposing a training solution. A thorough and complete front end analysis was conducted. Causes of the performance problem were identified and proper solutions were proposed. Analysis of solutions shed light on training as the best solution. There were two parts for this project: A front end analysis report and an implementation plan. The front end analysis report consisted of results of the needs analysis, problem analysis, solution analysis, and a summary of the best proposed solution. The implementation plan consisted of a proposal to carry out the training solution that had been identified in front-end analysis. This plan included a description of the problem and how the proposed instructional program should be designed, developed, and implemented such that the problem is solved.

Conditions

The system analysis team was comprised of Patsy McQuiston and me. We collaborated on gathering needs assessment and performance analysis data, analyzing the data, and analyzing and proposing the solutions. There was no budget for this project, but there was a timeline in order to be able to implement changes for the following school year.

Scope

The report was submitted to the New Hanover County School’s superintendent John Morris. Currently, there is no data indicating whether or not the county acted on the proposal.

Role

As a team we assumed the roles of system analysts for this project. We completed the needs analysis, problem analysis, solution analysis, and a summary of the best proposed solution. We also assumed the roles of project managers and planners for this project. We completed a plan to implement an organization level instructor-led training workshop.

Reflection

This was the first project in the program where I completed a project on a macro level. I learned how to analyze the operations of a system at the organizational level. This was first macro level design experience for me. I gained a new perspective on systems and how they operate.

For this project, I believe that the analysis of the system was conducted thoroughly except for the possible side effects of the recommended solution. If I had the opportunity to complete this project again I would analyze the side effects more in depth in order to address potential problems within the operating system.

Competencies	Job Descriptions	Evidence	Rationale
Domain of Instructional Design
Plan and conduct needs assessment.	Assess training and performance needs of client population.	510 project RiverdeepSoftware Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report-Operating System Analysis	This report illustrates the process of a thorough front end analysis on a macro level. The front end analysis consists of a needs assessment, learner analysis, and context analysis.
Assess learner/trainee characteristics.
Analyze the characteristics of a setting (learning environment).
Domain of Instructional Development
Develop curriculum and apply instructional technology to the curriculum at the systems level, the macro level, and the micro level.	Assists teachers in developing curriculum materials to utilize and integrate technology into the secondary curriculum	510 project - Riverdeep Software Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report	This report illustrates the processes necessary for application of instructional technology to curriculum at the macro level.
Domain of Utilization
Apply leadership techniques with individuals and groups (interpersonal skills, group dynamics, team building and diffusion of innovations).	Facilitates school participation in technology programs and activities Promotes family, business, and community partnerships that support the academic success, career readiness, and general well-being of all children.	510 project - Riverdeep Software Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report	This project report illustrates leadership techniques used with individuals and groups to develop interpersonal skills, enhance group dynamics, build teams and promote diffusion of innovations.
Promote the diffusion and adoption of the instructional development process.	Conducts staff development in areas of technology integration, technology skills and competencies for educators.	510 project - Riverdeep Software Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report	This project report illustrates leadership techniques used to promote diffusion of the instructional development process.
Domain of Management
Plan, create, monitor, and facilitate instructional design projects.	Works with the principal and school leadership team to provide access to technology resources and services of the technology facilitator at point of need.	510 project - Riverdeep Software Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report 510 project - gantt chart	These artifacts illustrate the processes for planning, creating, monitoring, and facilitating a macro level instructional design project
Organize the instructional project or service unit to operate effectively and efficiently.	Works with teachers and technology staff in the selection of resources that are compatible with the school technology infrastructure	510 project - gantt chart	These artifacts illustate the tools used to organize a macro level project in order to ensure effective and efficient operation.
Manage personnel and facilities.	Establish systems and procedures that serve to monitor programs’ use and effectiveness.	510 project - gantt chart	This chart illustrates a tool used for assigning personnel and facilities to different phases of the project.
Plan and implement organizational change.	Assists in planning and implementation of instructional technology program	510 project - Riverdeep Software Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report	This report illustrates the processes of planning and implementing organizational change on a macro level.
Design instructional management systems	Assists with planning and the design of the technology infrastructure so that information resources are continually available to the school community	510 project - Riverdeep Software Usage of New Hanover County Schools Secondary Teachers Report	This report demonstrates the ability to design instructional management systems.