Spring 2006 - Week 4 and 5, February 24, 2006

Wow, the team is making great progress. We are in the development phase of the ADDIE Model and development is going well. The prototype is looking good. I worked on creating the content for the welcome page. We have made several changes to the site, but this is to be expected. I think all the changes have gone well. I like working with my team. Everyone is talented and has something to offer to the project and we work well together. Dr. Behrmann gives us just enough information to run with, we could not have asked for a better client/project manager. I believe the final product will be very useful to teachers and administrators. It is a good product.

The first phase of usability testing is planned for next week, then second will be held the week of March 20th, and the thrid will be held on April 20th. I hope we can stay on schedule, at this time we don't have any testers lined up. If all else fails, I'll aks the MHSA team to do a small test, while I work to get teachers, or TTAC staff. I can't wait to find out what the users think. I believe this is one of the most important aspects of the project. The teachers, IT experts and others will help us get it right. I am excited about the testing. I believe this product can be very useful, and once in place, can be used as a template for the VGLA and VSEP.

I found some great information on the usability testing process online. It helped me understand the hows, whys, and what's. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I presented the usability observation checklist and it turned out to be perfect for the first level of testing. I'll begin working on the second document once we have analyzed the results from the first set of test.

I really need to start on my interest paper. My topic is huge, I have narrow it down and see if there is sufficient info available. Emerging Markets: India - what was I thinking. I may have to defer to my second choice ROI in training. Or something like that.

All of the classes this semester tie in to each other. I think this semester will give us good research/writing skills and the beginning statistical skills that are used so much in the training industry. Everyone wants and uses statistics. Information has been rich and related.

Gotta go...

Spring 2006, Week 3 - Feb. 10

What a good week. We've reviewed our design approach and will be meeting with our clients on Friday. Things are moving along just fine. Maybe too fast because I think we should do a sampling before we begin testing the prototype. I'd like to find out what teachers think about what we have so far. I believe it would help us in this process.

Spent the weekend designing the the usability test, checklist, and the exit survey. Got a lot of information from the formative evaluation book and online resources. The document was approved by the team and we will use it for phase one and two.

The readings are interesting, but not deep. I would have liked more information on designing e-learning, not software, but I guess it will all work out in the end. I think this program should incorporate the necessary development tools that will help us on the job. I think it should include some information on return on investment and more time should be spent on assessment. It's great to learn theory, but tools will be helpful. I'm hoping to have the opportunity to design a small demo in captivate. It could be used to get the word out about the EPSS. We'll see.

Peace & Blessings,
PG Sharpe