PROTO-TYPE
Introduction:
“Tеmpоrаry Stаff trаining lеаds tо bеttеr sеrvicе and mоrе prоfits” Wаlsh prоvidеs аn оvеrviеw оf sоmе оf thе tеchniquеs thаt companies аrе utilizing tо trаin individuаl tеmpоrаry staff. While the аdvicе provided by Wаlsh аppеаrs tо bе quitе sаliеnt within thе cоntеxt оf dеvеlоping trаining prоgrаms fоr tеmpоrаry staff, no cannot help but wonder if the suggestions made by those in the industry are аctuаlly rеlеvаnt tо imprоving thе еfficiеncy аnd prоductivity оf thе these individuals аnd consequently that of thе оrgаnizаtiоn. By еxplоring thе spеcific nееds fоr trаining in thе оrgаnizаtiоn оvеrаll it becomes pоssiblе tо dеmоnstrаtе thе need for efficient and effective training and what is needed to create a worthwhile training program.
Discovering the needs of temporary workers and the dependence by many organizations ranging from private for-profit companies to public entities and school districts on temporary staff, it is essential to focus on the attributes that are needed to provide an effective and efficient work product. In this manner the company will have made an investment in temporary staff and will receive a positive outcome: a worker, who is well versed in the subject, understands the basic needs of the company and can perform adequately.
Understanding the role of technology in training, the ability of learners (in this case temporary staff members) to choose training methodology and having a basic grasp of individual differences as well as taking into account the importance of self-efficacy developed in the learner are all important aspects of training and learning that need to be taken into consideration. The training program would need to account for many important and diverse aspects of human behaviour and available technology, however, the previously mentioned characteristics are major driving forces in how, and if, trainees learn and comprehend.
Analysis:
In attempting to understand my subjects, in this case substitute teachers, I didn’t have to go far, as a substitute teacher myself I encountered, on a daily basis, the inadequate training and support substitute teachers received and in some cases there was very little or no training at all; as for support that too was lacking. I found myself in situations I was unprepared for and at a loss on how to deal with the circumstances I came across in the classroom. Through my discussions and observations of credentialed teachers and substitute teachers I found a common theme: most substitute teachers were not prepared for the classroom, some feared the situations that they would inevitably find themselves in and would react negatively or inappropriately.
What this training module will attempt to do is train the substitute teachers on proper protocol, school and classroom procedures, classroom management and how to deal with specific disruptive situations in their classrooms. In discussions with school personnel it was made evident that a classroom with a web component would work best. In this way, although the training material will be online, an instructor will be present to assist the subjects and measure performance.
Design:
In the analysis phase I was able to understand the learning choices and differences that the substitute teachers will undoubtedly possess. Also I revisited the structure of the training program I had envisioned, the ability that having a completely online training module with assessments built in would allow for the substitute teachers to access the material at their convenience and review the information at their leisure. Creating a built in assessment tool will allow the district and the substitute teacher to understand their weaknesses and provide an area in which to improve.
Student interactions will range from having the course available completely online and having an instructor available for questions and difficult to comprehend topics. This type of learning environment allows for persons with different learning skills and aptitudes to keep a pace that they can feel comfortable with. The built in assessments, to be completed after the end of every section, will require a minimum level of understanding to pass and continue into the next section.
The training module will require that students have access to the internet, have a minimum basic understanding of computers and have an open mind. Access will be provided by the district in a classroom setting, however, students will be able to access the training module at home.
Development:
Dreamweaver will be used to create the website and CCS will be used to create the content-heavy web pages.
Alpha testing will be completed prior to implementation; Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) will be utilized to test the training module and surveyed to determine the effectiveness, usefulness and value of the product.
Implementation:
Beta testing will be completed using volunteer substitute teachers.
Evaluation:
A report will be created reporting the information gained from implementing the training module; beta testing will provide invaluable information necessary in training temporary staff.
EXAMPLE: Here is an example of what the class can be expected to look like.
- An instructor and a classroom with the appropriate number of internet accessible workstations will be provided. This training module should take the better part of the day.
- The instructor will give an overview presentation of what the course will cover, what is needed from the students, how much time will be given and what assessments will be administered.
- The substitute teachers will be allowed time to complete the training module and assessments. The instructor will be available for questions or concerns.
a) District Protocols
b) School & Classroom Procedures
c) Classroom Management
d) Disruptive Situations
- S/he will be expected to complete a substitute teaching assignment in a K-12 classroom and district staff will observe the teachers overall performance, noting any issues or concerns.
- Lastly the substitute teacher will be asked to complete a survey and/or complete something similar to an exit interview.
