Description:

This purpose of this resource is to help a new administrator/registrar to gain the ability to use a digital tool which will allow them to create reminders and prioritize tasks, syncing across devices.    

Learning Goals:

If successful, this resource should engage and motivate varied types of learners by using mixed modes such as diagrams, audio narration as well as text, with a focus on visuals.  My intended user has self identified as being very visual.  This resource will lead them through various steps for how to use Google Keep and Google Calendars.  Goals for this resource include:  1) gaining perspective on how she prioritizes, and how that may need to be adjusted; 2) being led through the steps of setting up, using and syncing Google Keep and Google Calendars, as well as how this could be useful in her context; and 3) contextualizing the use of this tool, and being given an opportunity to practice using it and explore what functionality will aid her in being more efficient when staying on top of priorities in her job. 

Intended Audience:

A new Front of House Coordinator (administrator who also is responsible for registration) at a not for profit Arts School. 

Rationale:

My user has a constant influx of registrations, email and face to face correspondence, as well as other administrative work to complete in her job.  She has been an arts instructor previously, and though she is very knowledgeable and excels when communicating with patrons and customers registering for courses, still uses a paper based system for organizing tasks.  She admittedly struggles with the Windows based computer system, as well as how to troubleshoot with computers.  She is an Apple user with her personal devices, and after allowing me to observe her at work, I deduced that having a prioritization system that she can sync to a desktop as well as mobile devices using apps would be beneficial.  She also works alongside an administrator who works in a separate office, so being able to set reminders and share editing capability in a task/calendar app could prove to be efficient, reduce the number of items which fall through the cracks as well as miscommunication.    

Tools:

  1. A chart which will give the user the ability to record tasks completed as well as estimated time completing them in the course of three days at work.  It will also have a category for self reflection on what went well and what could be improved with regards to prioritization and effective use of time.  This is intended as a self assessment, as well as to aid in gaining perspective on how the tools I recommend later could be useful in reducing wasted time as well as deciding on what items need to be done in what order.
  2. A screencast where I narrate and show my user how to set up, the functionality within, as well as how to sync Google Keep and Google Calendars.  The idea here is that there are functions in Google Calendars which could be effective with reminders, but building a list of tasks and prioritizing is better done in Google Keep.  These apps can sync easily, and task lists and reminders can be shared across users/staff.  This easy free system can reduce lost ‘to do’ items (which can happen frequently with a sticky note paper based system used currently), as well as encourage prioritization so essential and urgent items get dealt with first.  It will also really help these two new staff members (the other administrator also just started in her job) to communicate and be aware of each others’ greater workload. 

Assessment Plan:

  1. As mentioned in Tools #1, this chart will give me an indication of what my user feels they can improve.  I can use this as a guide when re-connecting with them later after they have had some time to assimilate this new digital learning method into their task prioritization etc.  I will prepare a self reflection task to be completed two weeks after they start using Google Calendar/Keep so they can analyze how this is working and how it has helped them. 
  2. My screencast will also be split up into sections, each with a set of questions and/or a task for them to complete (such as downloading the app).  These will be purely formative in nature, but will also elicit repeated reflections on the tool and how it will work for them.
  3. I may also ask them to provide an audio reflection, but this has yet to be determined.

The tools themselves are not overly difficult to learn.  Learning how to use them in this specific context as well as to ‘buy into’ how this adjustment of recording methods can greatly aid in how my user performs in her job are my key goals for learning.  That is why I feel so strongly that reflection and learning by doing are important, and how I feel she needs some prolonged time using the tools before she can reflect properly.  Most of this will happen after the course is finished. 

Learning Theories & Instructional Design Principles Used:

I will use a blended approach, and many different learning theories will inform my approach.

Behavourism – My formative assessment tools will allow me to establish that my learner understands how to use the functions in the system, and comprehends the ‘what’.  This has been integrated into the sequence of learning (Ally, 2007), and allows me to give appropriate feedback as they are developing the skills to use the tool.

Cognitivism – A multi-modal approach (dual coding theory) will be used, with a particular focus on visual learning methods.  I intend to keep my screencast to a manageable pace, as well as chunking information mixed with formative assessment to allow for skills and knowledge to be integrated into working memory.  I will follow best practices in Cognitive Load Theory and Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (which I focused on in LRNT 526) to inform how my content is presented.  I will also use the pre-learning chart to elicit prior knowledge and activate prior schemas on how to use tools such as this.    I also plan to encourage active experimentation, and to go beyond what was presented within this specific context (Ally, 2007). 

Constructivism – The link here in particular is the use of active and recurring reflection.  This reflection will allow my user to see how this can apply to their context, as well as how their tendencies can aid and provide barriers to success when using this new approach/tool.  Interaction with me throughout the process will be paramount to this reflection being effective. 

Instructions for Use:

Using Moodle to house the context, my user will first download or print the task and priority sheet.  They will fill it out over a three day period, and will complete some questions and a brief reflection.  They will then proceed through the learning module, which uses a screen cast which has been separated into sections, each with formative assessment built in.  After completing tasks and answering questions, they will be then asked to attempt to use it in their work.  After two or so weeks, they will complete another short questionnaire as well as to further reflect on how this tool has been integrated and their experience using it. 

Plan for Use:

I plan to share this resource using Moodle.  I hope that I can retain an account with Moodle, which can be shared with the Elora Centre for the Arts, for use in training in future should they find it useful.    I do not plan on sharing this resource with anyone other than my student cohort, my instructor, and the staff at the ECFTA.