Identify an Instructional Problem
Use front-end (Dick & Carey, Ch 2) to identify an instructional problem in your workplace (school, company, etc.). The following worksheet will serve as a guideline to assist you in identifying instructional problems.
Identify a problem reflecting a failure to achieve certain organization goal (3 points)
Describe the nature of the problem: A problem that I have seen both in my classes and in online classes in general is student motivation. The nature of this problem is that students are losing their desire to learn when they are learning remotely. Students are finding more excuses to not get work done, and teachers are more likely to be more lenient about work being done.
Describe the consequence of the problem if not treated: The combination of attitude from teachers and students is the consequence that students are not able to learn as much as they could in the classroom environment.
Determine if the problem can be solved by instruction and why: The problem can be solved by instruction, because there are things that can be done in the lessons to encourage student participation. Involving the students and the teachers for the full class time allows the students and teachers to get in a flow and work hard on the work required.
Conduct a performance analysis (3 points)
Analyze the status quo of the problem supported by data: The status quo of the problem is that students are not working as hard online as they would in the classroom. In the Mobile Development at Mountainland Technical College students did 25% less work on their capstone projects while doing online work compared to a typical in class instruction cohort.
Identify the goal and objectives or standards related to the performance status: The goal is to help students find the motivation to keep working on getting the work done that they would’ve done in the classroom. Objectives that lead up to that would include: increased questions from students, proactive approaches from teachers, and increased productivity from students.
Possible Internal Factors:
Lack of structure between teachers and the curriculum
Lack of understanding of teaching fundamentals to engage students
Teachers not being involved in long term results of students post-class
Possible External Factors:
Distractions in the house limiting students/teachers from giving 100% to the class
Disruptions in internet connectivity
Various program deficiencies to simulate a real classroom
Conduct a needs analysis and prioritize the needs (4 points)
Determine the level of need based on the Level of Needs chart (see course slide): The level of need would be a combination of Level 1 and 2. Level 2 would include the teachers that need to learn and adjust to an online environment. Level 1 would include the students who need to increase their motivation in order to complete the work in front of them.
The needs related to the instructional problem include (The needs are prioritized below):
Teachers need to be able to focus and keep students on track
Students need to be able to finish all of the work in a timely matter
Students need to learn the material so that they can find jobs in the industry
Students need to find jobs in order for the program to continue being accredited.
Based on the above prompts, write a summary of your front-end analysis by clearly stating the instructional problem, the process of performance and needs analysis. Finally, presenting the need that requires immediate instructional training.
The instructional problem in this online class is that students lack the motivation to work as hard remotely as they would in the classroom. There is clear data evidence that less work is being done remotely. Many factors go into the learning of students in a remote classroom. From things that can’t be controlled such as distractions in the house or lack of basic internet and programs. The objective would be to help students and teachers promote a remote classroom that lets students excel as they would in the classroom. The first need that would be implemented first would be educating the teachers in better classroom management remotely. Ensuring that the teachers are onboard with the new program allowing for students to gain as much as they can from the online class.