COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
INFS 3410 Training and Development in Business
MOON CAMPUS
Wednesday – 6:00pm – 8:50pm
INSTRUCTOR
INFORMATION
INSTRUCTOR: Linda J. Kavanaugh, Ph.D. OFFICE: Student Center - 452
E-MAIL: kavanaugh@rmu.edu PHONE: (412) 269-3887
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday 12:00 –1:30, by appointment, and before class in classroom
COURSE INFORMATION________________________________________________
COURSE MATERIAL:
1. Text: The Trainer’s Handbook, by Karen Lawson, Jossey-Bass Pfeiffer Publishing, 1998
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
INFS 3410 Training and Development in Business provides the student with application of theories of learning and instructional development of the education and training of employees in the organizational environment. Topics include instructional design and implementation strategies, adult learning techniques, training needs assessment and evaluation strategies, delivery techniques, training administration, and training and development trends.
Prerequisites: Software proficiency in word processing
PRIMARY GOAL:
The primary goal of INFS 3410 Training and Development in Business is to provide up-to-date information on adult/corporate training programs and the systematic approach to delivering effective instruction with high impact for both the participants and the organization.
OBJECTIVES:
Topic 1: Assessing Needs
Describe the purposes of and methods used in conducting training needs analyses
Use resulting data to determine the kinds of employees training/retraining programs that could result
Topic 2: Understanding Adult Learners
Recognize the characteristics of adult trainees as learners
Integrate the principles of adult learning in designing training programs
Recognize various training styles
Identify various diversity issues
Explain cognitive processes
Topic 3: Writing Instructional Objectives
Identify parts of a learning objective
Write learning objectives for specific environments
Topic 4: Selecting, Designing, and Developing Active-Training Methods
Determine utility and validity of training materials, media, and methods suitable for various learning environments
Simulate a training program for a specific topic
Recognize group dynamics
Analyze individual and group tasks to determine information requirements
Topic 5: Delivering Training
Discuss experiential and active-training techniques
Discuss “platform” presence
Recognize questioning techniques
Discuss communication, questioning, writing, and listening skills as they pertain to training
Topic 6: Using Visual Aids
Describe commonly used visual aids
Topic 7: Evaluating Training
Describe why, when, whom, how, what to evaluate
Explain “The trainer as facilitator.”
Discuss guidelines for handling questions
Discuss guidelines for handling problem students
Topic 8: The Future in Training
Discuss trends and issues related to organizational training in the next decade
Explain life-long learning
Explain the evolving leadership role of information management as it applies to training
Information Technology Requirements:
The following software packages are utilized in this course:
1. Word Processing
2. Presentation Software
As a course prerequisite, students are expected to be proficient in word processing and presentation software packages. Your Instructor maintains a faculty Web page. E-mail communication is available between the student and the instructor. Students may be required to use electronic library resources for class assignments.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
The methods used in INFS3410Training and Development in Business may include, but are not limited to:
1. Lecture and classroom discussion
2. Use of materials such as case studies
3. Readings, in addition to the textbook, such as journals, periodicals, and manuals
4. Instructor-provided handout materials
5. Design, implementation, evaluation, and follow up of simulated micro-training session
At times, the instructor may make use of a computer projector and/or presentation software in a classroom lecture.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
The student is responsible for doing all the respective reading assignments prior to the scheduled lectures.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
The student is responsible for completing all assignments within the allotted periods of time as outlined by the instructor. Written assignment due dates will be established either in the syllabus or provided to the students when relevant lectures are completed. Written assignments must be done in a professional format.
Important notes:
1. The student is responsible to back up his/her valuable diskette files appropriately
2. Significant time outside of class is necessary to work on the various components of the written assignments.
FOLLOW‑UP:
IIf a student does not fully understand a lecture subject or assignment and would like further explanation, the student is responsible to raise the topic(s) for discussion in class. If further explanation is required on an individual basis, the student is encouraged to see the instructor during office hours or make an appointment.
A
AATTENDANCE:
AAttendance Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. The CIS Department’s 25% Absence Policy will be enforced; that is, if a student misses more than 25% of the allotted semester classes, he/she will automatically receive a letter grade of F. The student is responsible for keeping a record of missed classes. Should a student arrive late for class, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor upon his/her arrival to insure that the student has not been marked absent. Further, each class that you miss will both indirectly and directly affect your grade. Indirectly by missing concepts not contained in the text; and, directly by having points deducted from your average scores.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Your final grade will be calculated using weighted percentages, with each of the following categories contributing, as listed:
Exam 1 25%
Final Exam 25%
Summary Paper 10%
Eight-minute Teaching 15%
Fifteen to Twenty-minute Teaching 25%
100%
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
GRADING SCALE:
93-100 A
90-92 A-
83-86 B
80-84 B-
77-79 C+
70-76 C
60-69 D
Below 60 F
GENERAL TOPIC OUTLINE
|
TOPIC NO. |
DESCRIPTION |
ESTIMATED TIME (based on a 15 week semester) |
REFERENCE TO TEXTBOOK MATERIALS, TUTORIALS, or READING SUPPLEMENTS |
|
1 |
Assessing Needs
|
1 week |
Text, Chapter 1 |
|
2 |
Understanding Adult Learners |
2 week |
Text, Chapters 2, 4 |
|
3
|
Writing Instructional Objectives |
2 week |
Text, Chapter 5 |
|
4 |
Selecting, Designing, Developing Active-Training Methods |
2 week |
Text, Chapters 6, 7
|
|
5 |
Delivering Training |
2 week |
Text, Chapter 8
|
|
6 |
Using Visual Aids |
2 week |
Text, Chapters 9, 10
|
|
7 |
Evaluating Training |
1 week |
Text, Chapter 12
|
|
8 |
The Future in Training
|
3 week |
Text, Chapter 12/Handouts
|
DETAILED TOPIC OUTLINE
|
WEEK |
TOPICS & ACTIVITIES |
TESTS & ASSIGNMENTS |
|
1
|
Introduction and Overview of Class Assessing needs and analyses
Chapter 1 |
Handout
|
|
2 and 3 |
Understanding Adult Learners Characteristics of adult trainees as learners Principles of adult learning Identify training styles Identify diversity issues in training
Chapters 2 and 4 |
Written and oral presentation on adult learners
Handouts on Adults |
|
4 and 5 |
Writing Instructional Objectives Identify parts of a learning objective Evaluate learning objectives
Chapter 5 |
Write learning objective for student’s first teaching assignment
Handouts on Objectives |
|
6 and 7 |
Selecting, Designing, and Developing Active-Training Methods Review training materials, media, and methods suitable for various learning environments
Chapters 6 and 7
Review for mid-term exam
|
Mid-term exam on Chapters 1,2,4,5,6,7 |
|
8 and 9 |
Delivering Training Discuss experiential and active-training techniques Discuss “platform” presence
Chapter 8
|
First training presentation (10 minutes in length)
Turn in written objective for 20-minute training |
|
10-11 |
Using Visual Aids Describe commonly used visual aids
Chapters 9 and 10 |
Begin working on 20-minute teaching session
Handouts on visual aids |
|
12 |
Evaluate Training Describe the reasons for evaluating training programs Guidelines for handling questions Guidelines for handling problem students
Chapter 12 |
Continue working on 20-minute teaching session and work on lesson plan |
|
13, 14, 15 |
The Future in Training Trends and issues related to training in the next decade
Chapter 12 and handouts
Students to do 20-minute teaching session and turn in lesson plan
Review for final (comprehensive –1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,12) |
|
|
Finals Week |
Final Exam |
|