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Systems specifications

We wrote the following objective for our slide presentation and I want to keep them in mind for when we work up our prototype:

-Learners will be able to compile a list of transferable skills to list in a workbook for use on a resume.
-Learners will be able to use the Resume Master to electronically format a resume including all component headings.
-Students will be able to write a three paragraph cover letter with no spelling mistakes by using a template.
-When given a company name, students will be able to research the company online and write a brief company history.

Also we figured out from our feedback from our initial analysis that we can't include the high school teacher as part of our instructional product. I think we had forgotten this, especially when including role plays to instruct how to interview successfully as part of our objectives. Michaels mock screen shot helped me put myself in the students shoes...

working on presentation

Here is our thoughts on systems specifications we hashed out when trying to work on our slides presentation. I wasn't sure what each category was for until I looked at the previous classes examples. I want to present the idea as the 5Ws and H instead of following the template so closely. This will make it more undersandable during our presentation.

Who: Learners and their enablers, constraints
What: Findings, Sources and Methods, IA summary
Where: Learning system, environment
Why: Rationale, delivery system constraints
How: Objectives and delivery system explanation
(including handout on mock screen shot showing CDRom/Workbook combo functions)
We decided on this method of delivery since:

-Student perceived relevance to learning
-Low cost (web or text)
-Access to additional resources (library, teachers)
-Students centrally located in one place
-Access to computers at school
-Interactive use of technology (video, internet, software)
-Modularity allows learner directed access

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cognitive task analysis

Here is my cognitive task analysis done with pen and paper to figure out what the steps are in a job search. This way we can break each step down in to a topic and make seperate modules for our learners. In our systems specifications we have decided to make them seperate so that students can access the specific topics they want to learn more about without having to go through the whole program. This makes learning more individualized and saves time for them.
About creating diagram: I find the bubbles technique a little tiresome and since I think I always end up with this outline form since I'm a linear thinker.

done with initial analysis

After much collaberating and editing, my group has finally finished our initial analysis. We shifted our focus to job preparedness versus finding jobs since students seemed to already feel comfortable with that. We found the biggest area of concerns that we can address head on are going to be resumes, cover letters and interviewing. For the next step, system specifications, I know we are already leaning towards a CD rom/workbook combo but want to make sure high schools really have enough computers for this. I'm assuming they would at least have media labs they can use.

Geico interviews

When interviewing the Geico hiring team today I confirmed that many of the skills applicants in our particular age group are lacking are soft skills it will be difficult to address with a product. Also sometime applicants are lacking grammar/reading comprehension skills even though they are only required to be at an 8th grade level at Geico. This can't be fixed overnight. I am going to draw out a chart like the one we learned in class to try to cover all the concepts, states, processes, etc that go into job hunting and applying. The good news is there were many comments made about dressing right, incomplete applications and spelling errors on resumes that we can address with our product and will immensely help students on their job hunt.

Searching for SMEs

I am off to try to interview some people from the hiring team today. They are a busy bunch so I fear they have to answer me by e mail since I'm trying to gather their responses by this Friday. It was interesting to find in Mike's survey data that kids are most scared of getting interviewed, and with good reason. However it will be a challenge to find out how to teach such soft skills within the confounds of an instructional product...

14 Reasons

As part of our exploratory research on our IA I looked up the top 14 reasons Job hunters are not offered jobs. It is not specific to our age group 17-19 we're inspecting but should still be eye opening:
1.low level of accomplishment
2. poor attitude, lack self confidence
3. lack of goals
4. lack of enthusiasm
5. lack of interest in the company
6. inability to express yourself
7. unrealistic salary demands
8. poor appearance
9. lack of maturity, no leadership potential
10. lack extracurricular activities
11. lack of prep. for interview
12. objecting to travel
13. excessive interest in security and benefits
14. inappropriate background

Initiating Memo

Here is a copy of my initiating memo to keep track of my learner and the problem that needs addressing...I know from personal experience that applying to college can be extremely confusing and of course if all the steps are not completed correctly, it can make the process very long and frustrating. With the number of applicants growing, it may even stop many young people from even getting into college. I have recognized this problem still exists as my sister in Jr. High school is looking to graduate soon and has no mentor to help her start applying to college. Many high school seniors and graduates are eager to attend school, see new places, and find direction and job training- but are apprehensive about who to ask for help and how they go about it.In San Diego County alone it must be considered that there are more than 540 public K-12 schools in San Diego County with more than 413,500 students. Tens of thousands of those students are juniors and seniors. This particular area should be of high focus because of the economic hardship experienced in some San Diego areas like El Cajon where there is a significant amount of students are classified as socio-economically disadvantaged. Many are minorities like African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Filipino, Hispanic or Latino, and Pacific Islander. Students are categorized as socio-economically disadvantaged if they participate in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program or if their parents did not graduate from high school. These students have limited computer skills, speak limited English, have poor testing scores and though they are eligible for college scholarships, they have no monetary help from their families to attend school. Many have a strong desire to attend college but without the informational means to take even the first step.A product based solution could teach them how to apply for college with confidence which will be their first big step towards a higher education. Learning this step is of utmost importance in helping young adults, especially from lower classes, to seize the opportunity of a higher education and improve their lives.This product could include hands on practice filling out forms, gathering necessary information and writing personal statements. Technically the instruction would probably include the use of computers, calculators, college application forms, FASFA applications for financial aide and workbook exercises.An instructional product would be a tremendous help since most high school teachers are not familiar with all current college entrance requirements. Also the product could include real college websites and forms as teaching tools to give the class a real life context and the skills learned like filling forms and writing personal essays will be easily transferable to other areas of the student’s lives.

more thoughts on ed tech

I'm trying to keep up on the project we have/forsee whats coming since our minds are on the exam right now. I wanted to remind myself that when I went home and visited my little sister who is a junior in high school that she needed to know now what classes to take to get into college. This triggered for me that even juniors in high school should take the course I created on how to apply for college and to include a list of what classes to take along with my other information. Hopefully some downloading soon of drawings/thoughts from paper...