Section 4: Human Performance Technology

HPI

Chapter 14 discusses the evolution of human performance improvement. The chapter presents a variety of non instructional solutions to performance problems. One performance problem found at my place of work is in regards to staff collaboration. In my opinion staff collaboration is not being performed correctly, teachers seem to be off task and administrators do not seem to collaborate with the teachers appropriately. If I was to solve this problem using non instructional solutions, I would first start by having a list of teacher incentives. This list of incentives would be given to each teacher explaining what they can be rewarded for during given collaboration time. Administrators and teachers would also begin using monthly performance guides to discuss collaboration progress. The performance guides will be used to provide feedback to both teachers and administrators regarding what is accomplished during collaboration. 

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." - Ryunosuke Satoro

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each individual in a collaboration brings with himself or herself unique characteristics, but when everyone is grouped together, all of those characteristics add up together and become something greater. If you look at the collaborative team as a whole, rather than a conglomerate of individuals, the collaboration will run more smoothly.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/office/collaboration/articles/71425.aspx#ixzz1EHAmRhDV

EPSS

Chapter 15 presents a few definitions of electronic performance support systems. I managed to find a few more definitions:

Def 1. Electronic Performance Support Systems, EPSS, can help an organization to reduce the cost of training staff while increasing productivity and performance. It can empower employees to perform tasks with a minimum amount of external intervention or training. By using this type of system an employee, especially a new employee, will not only be able to complete his or her work more quickly and accurately, but as a secondary benefit the employee will also learn more about the job and the employer's business. In addition to recommending consideration of an EPSS when knowledge is required to achieve individual performance in a business environment, an EPSS should be considered when skilled performers spend significant amount of time helping less skilled performers, when new workers must begin to perform immediately and training is impractical, unavailable or constrained, or employees need to be guided through a complex process/task that can’t be memorized. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_performance_support_systems

Def 2. An electronic performance support system is, according to Barry Raybould (1991), "a computer-based system that improves worker productivity by providing on-the-job access to integrated information, advice, and learning experiences."

Def 3. Gloria Gery (1989) defines it as "an integrated electronic environment that is available to and easily accessible by each employee and is structured to provide immediate, individualized on-line access to the full range of information, software, guidance, advice and assistance, data, images, tools, and assessment and monitoring systems to permit job performance with minimal support and intervention by others" (p. 21). https://www.msu.edu/~sleightd/epssyn.html

Def 4. Electronic Performance Support System - (EPSS) A system that provides electronic task guidance and support to the user at the moment of need. EPSS can provide application help, reference information, guided instructions and/or tutorials, subject matter expert advice and hints on how to perform a task more efficiently. An EPSS can combine various technologies to present the desired information. The information can be in the form of text, graphical displays, sound, and video presentations. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/electronic+performance+support+system

I prefer definition #1 because of the way it describes the benefit for both the employee and the employer. It explains how it can help both new and existing employees with training and interventions. It also gives examples of how EPSS can be used in the workplace.

EPSS has not been widely used; I believe this is because in most areas of work, training is conducted by both peer and administrative support. This is they way it has been done for so many years, and many are not up for change. Some organizations have a lack of awareness for what EPSS is and how it can benefit them. Then there are also those organizations whom are aware of EPSS and the potential it has, however they are fearful of the up-front costs and the time required for the development and implementation. 

However I do believe EPSS will more likely become more prevalent in the future because of the way electronic technology has evolved in the workplace. As more businesses and industries begin using EPSS and implementing them successfully, others will become more interested. We also know that technology improves daily; this is also the same for EPSS. Employers will also begin hiring younger employees who grew up with the use of computers and video games, these employees will be more comfortable with receiving this type of information through the use of computers.

Knowledge Management

In our school we use data to review our younger students’ reading levels. We have a problem with Kindergarten reading levels and how inconsistent they are across the district. Some schools have Kindergarten students reading at a level 2, whereas other schools have students reading at a level 13. I believe a blended learning approach can help solve this problem with the use of a knowledge management system. I would use some of the main interrelated components of knowledge management:

-Codification: Teachers could be required to document student reading levels on a six week basis. These documents should be consistent throughout the district and preferably electronic. Having electronic reading level data will help make the information easier to retrieve. Microsoft Excel would be a great tool to use for this data.

-Collaboration: Kindergarten teachers across the district could hold discussion groups, share knowledge, communicate about experiences, use the same data tools, and share documentation techniques.

-Access: All Kindergarten teachers in the district will be trained using the same system. This system training will include the use of guided reading in the classroom and how to level students.  

Informal Experiences

During my adult life I have been exposed to different types of cooking and baking through informal learning experiences. The purpose of these informal experiences was to help me become a better cook and being able to create my own meals. The experience was very enjoyable, however at times it did become stressful. The learning that took place was very engaging. I truly enjoyed every new learning experience gained. During this process, I played the role of an assistant and an observer. The instructor played the role of a great leader and guide throughout the cooking process.