Researching Relevant Professional Development Professor: Dr. Betsy Quintero

M.Ed. Extension Partnership Cohort

January 2, 1999 Learning Task #1 Karen Johnson

I attended the 1998 Annual Minnesota Extension Educators Conference, Navigating Our Future, which took place on October 5-8, 1998. At this conference, I investigated staff development issues regarding application of computer technology training. My survey was designed to identify possible reasons for successful transfer of skills from hands-on computer training sessions at conferences to the workplace (see addendum A for a copy of the survey). This issue is of interest to me because the transfer of this training seems to have obstacles which, if identified, could help in design and implementation of future short courses or conference workshops on computer technology.

The survey was designed to separate positive reactions to the information presented at the workshop session from responses that indicated that the training would not be useful in the respondents' workplace.

If the respondent answered yes to the first question, will this information from the presentation be useful to you in your work?, there were 3 follow-up questions designed to identify how the information would be useful, what might prevent implementation of newly gained knowledge in the work setting and what factors would influence usefulness and applicability of the information presented.

If the respondent answered no to the first question, will this information from the presentation be useful to you in your work?, there was one follow-up question asking the respondent to identify possible reasons why the session was not useful.

Four out of five questions were multiple choice with the option for a short answer if necessary in three of these questions. One question was a short answer.

I surveyed participants in four workshop sessions:

New Software Demonstration Quickstart to Power point 97 Advanced Power point Learning Software on Your Terms (open lab session)

I received 24 completed surveys which represented about 20% of workshop attendees. A numerical summary of multiple choice responses and narrative comments made in the short answer sections follow:

1. Will the information from this presentation be useful to you in your work?

___23__Yes (answer question 2-4) ____1 _No (answer question 5)

2. If yes, briefly describe how the information presented could be useful to you?

New methods I didnt know about. Nutrition Software that is ordered would not need to be installed by office tech. In my job as senior secretary. I will be using some of these programs in the future. Doing our monthly newsletter. Good to know whats out there and available for our use. Taking my presentations up to the next level. Advanced tips for better presentations. Will help me prepare PPAT presentation. Variety of presentation formats. Presentations, posters, flyers--Session was very good-especially the written info--it is short, brief, small in size--easy to use as a reference. Thanks- very good! Thoughtful improvement of presentations. Integration of sound and action to achieve higher attention by youth audiences. Helping prepare presentations. Writing brochures, success stories, newsletters, cookbook layout, etc. More use out of my computer. Presentations. Helping Extension Educators put together a display. To present workshops to 4-H leaders. I could put overhead all on Power point and not have to mess with redoing and photocopying overheads all the time. They would look more professional as well. Design my own presentations. Our educators have been requesting overheads in PowerPoint. I didnt realize how easy it is to create them! Thank you! To help educators set-up and start any program needed. Spreadsheets for tracking conference/workshop costs.

3 What might prevent you from implementing this newly gained knowledge? (check all that apply) ___9__Time learning new software/technology. __10_ Time developing ways to apply this to my specific projects. ___5__Staff retraining. ___4__Converting existing files/presentations. ___5__Technical incompatibilities. __ 5__Other:

Money. (2) Need to buy LCD projector. (2) Presentations by slide projector instead of LCD. (1)

4. We would be more likely to apply information from this session if we could: (check all that apply) ___10__have access to employer-supported software and/or technology. ___12__have a customized training session with actual work examples. ___6 __ make available onsite staff training. ___11__Conduct follow-up training after application in our work setting. ___6_ Other:

Work with other agencies, so the different agencies will have the same technology. Have a contact person to call when we get stuck or cant find or create the effect desired. Training someplace: midstate/St. Cloud/Brainerd. Plus data projector and time to play with the program (in addition to have a customized training session with actual work examples) . Apply/use what Ive learned soon after getting back to work. Will use.

5. If no to question #1, why was the session not useful to you? (check all that apply) __1__It doesnt apply to my work. _____Takes too long to learn to use efficiently. _____It is too costly to implement. _____Staff retraining would be prohibitive. _____Technical systems are incompatible. _____The presentation was too technical . _____Other:

But I am job-hunting and most jobs require it.

___________

Conclusion

Computer hands-on training sessions at conferences can be made more useful if there were mechanisms that would enable newly-trained staff to adapt the acquired knowledge in the workplace in a timely manner (with sufficient time to apply training), with acess to adaquate help and through the use of actual work examples with possible onsite follow-up training. Money to purchase new peripheral equipment such as LCD screens was also identified as useful for successful application of technology training.

Certain issues such as compatibility of technology was not as great of concern as it became apparent that Extension Service has developed standards for common use of technology (both hardware and software). A comment about compatibility with other agencies indicated a need for software or systems that would enable transfer of files/documents from one program to another in order to work efficiently with staff external to the Extension Service.

Suggestions for improvement of the application of hands-on computer training at conferences would include conducting follow-up sessions onsite or via distance delivery (real time or asynchronous web sessions or through interactive video) to reinforce staff training in the work setting. If feasible, onsite visits by trainers would be desireable to answer questions after staff have used the new computer programs. The conference sessions could conclude with homework asking the staff to apply their training to a work example and then discuss the results via e-mail, through a helpline or by conducting onsite follow-up sessions.

_________________

Addendum A

Survey of Conference Session for M.Ed Extension Partnership Program Navigating Our Future 10-5-98 through 10-8-98

Please take a moment to complete and return to Karen Johnson or the conference registration desk. Thank you.

Session name_________________________________

1. Will the information from this presentation be useful to you in your work?

_____Yes (answer question 2-4) _____No (answer question 5)

2. If yes, briefly describe how the information presented could be useful to you?

3 What might prevent you from implementing this newly gained knowledge? (check all that apply) _____Time learning new software/technology. _____Time developing ways to apply this to my specific projects. _____Staff retraining. _____Converting existing files/presentations. _____Technical incompatibilities. _____Other:

4. We would be more likely to apply information from this session if we could: (check all that apply) _____have access to employer-supported software and/or technology. _____have a customized training session with actual work examples. _____make available onsite staff training. _____Conduct follow-up training after application in our work setting. _____Other:

5. If no to question #1, why was the session not useful to you? (check all that apply) _____It doesnt apply to my work. _____Takes too long to learn to use efficiently. _____It is too costly to implement. _____Staff retraining would be prohibitive. _____Technical systems are incompatible. _____The presentation was too technical . _____Other:

-- Anonymous, January 10, 1999

Answers

I saw this before and am making notes on how many of us (in our various contexts in various organizations) need hands-on training and time to practice. I love the idea of "homework" so learners can apply the info--I see an administrative issue of allowing flexibility (at least in schools) for that to happen.

Very well-designed survey.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 1999