Introduction

Introduction

Paul E. Ritchie

Planned Utilization of Instructional Technology

Hello! As part of my requirements for my Masters degree in Instructional Technology from University of North Carolina Wilmington, I have created an electronic portfolio which synthesizes my learning and demonstrates my skills in this field. I trust that you will find this informative and valuable. My capabilities and skills are the product of a wide range of educational and professional experiences.

I was raised in Boston, MA and went on to graduate from the University Of Massachusetts in 1976 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. After several years of traveling, graduate courses, and entry level jobs to gain basis business experience, I was hired as the Client Services Manager for Lydall Inc (a publicly held conglomerate of industrial manufacturing companies headquartered in Conn.). After 3 years of promotions and experiences in sales and marketing I was asked to head up the strategic planning, marketing/sales, and manufacturing efforts of a new biomedical business venture with a company subsidiary in North Carolina. Having led this new venture to fruition, I was promoted to Director of Manufacturing for this multi plant subsidiary. After two years of implementing changes needed to achieve desired results, I was promoted to President of a multi plant subsidiary in New York and asked to join the senior management council for the entire company. During my time as a senior manager, Lydall Inc was recognized as a top 100 NYSE performers for period of 5 years. In 1994, the pending sale of the company combined with a desire to relocate back to North Carolina, created an opportunity for me to move to Wilmington NC and start a Management Consulting co... I have successfully developed this consulting business, by addressing the needs of small business owners/managers with identifying problems and recommending solutions related to a variety of small business issues. Many of the performance issues that I identify relate to a need for training, thus my pursuit of a masters degree in Instructional Technology which will enable me to incorporate training solutions services for my clients.

In my spare time, I am involved in state and local tennis tournaments support a local Boy Scout troop which I helped start, lead the long range planning group of our church, and enjoy many of the benefits of living in a coastal community.

My wife of 23 years, Susan is a registered nurse with an additional degree in early childhood education and is currently employed as Manager of Nursing Services for a healthcare company providing dedicated in school nurses for chronically ill children. She is also a member of the New Hanover County Advisory Council for Children with Disabilities and the North Carolina Board for Services for the Blind. We are very proud of our two sons who are fine young men and are currently attending North Carolina Universities.

Instructional Technology Philosophy

In my view, Instructional technology encompasses the many aspects of achieving a desired outcome of measurable performance within a defined system. It is a science rooted in many similar theoretical models many of which have been utilized in business and government for years and more recently have been introduced to the educational community. It lays out a systematic approach to identifying desired outcomes, analysis of causes and all related aspects of the system, creation and implementation of effective instructional or training solutions, and evaluation of solutions and results in an ongoing cycle which seeks maximum effectiveness and continuous improvement towards the desired outcome.

Instructional technology in my view is better described as Performance Improvement in that it takes into account the fact that many outcomes are systemic in nature and cannot be resolved entirely through training. Many situations exist where an absence of skills or knowledge are the root cause of a performance deficit which can be addressed through instructional technology. However, my experience and studies show a significant amount of cases where the system environment constrains performance, irregardless of skills or knowledge. Taking a broader view of instructional technology as performance improvement allows for up front analysis and identification of issues and causes which require systemic changes before any instructional or training solutions can be effective. A performance improvement technologist can recommended non instructional solutions and utilize many of skills learned such as Change Management and Project Management to assist in implementing non- instructional changes.

In either case, I believe a good Performance Technologist must possess many varying skills. First, one must be able to quantify and qualify a desired performance outcome and use many skills and techniques to establish the root cause of the performance deficit. Secondly, if a lack of skills or knowledge needs to be addressed, all aspects of a systems’ function and their related impact must be analyzed in order to determine the appropriate type and method of intervention or solution. Thirdly, one must have the theoretical understanding and technology skills needed to plan, design, develop, and deliver effective training solutions which can be in many forms based on the analysis of the system, learners, and desired outcome. Fourthly, the performance technologist must be able to evaluate results in relation to the initial desired performance outcome and cycle back trough all the steps seeking maximum effectiveness and results. Fifth, a good performance technologist will have the skills and savvy necessary to lead an organization or system to accept these solutions as permanent changes. Lastly, one must have the ability to plan and document all of above in advance, including time and resources (people, money), in order to present a solutions proposal which indicates an acceptable cost benefit and risk analysis to the organization in order to obtain support and funding.

Planned Utilization of Instructional Technology

During my career either in the corporate world or as a management consultant, I have succeeded by recognizing and establishing measurable goals critical to success and creating an environment focused on continuous improvement in these critical areas. Being extremely analytical and goal oriented provides me with the ability to sort through situations and develop recommendations for cost effective solutions which in many cases require addressing the skills and knowledge of system workers. A formal education in mastering Instructional Technology provides me now with a broader and more in depth ability to analyze performance issues and more importantly to offer solution services previously lacking. I can now go beyond simply recommending training to actually providing the solution which will allow me to be a full service consultant who can deliver results. My goal is to expand my consulting business via these abilities or perhaps seek a permanent position with an organization that has a need for my skills on an ongoing basis as a Performance Improvement/Instructional Technology Manager, Analyst, or Consultant.