20100926 - Platt, ..Electronic Performance Support System...

The efficacy of an electronic performance support system as a training tool for online faculty by Platt, Jeffrey Lynn, Ph.D., Iowa State University, 2008 , 336 pages; AAT 3342280 My Interest: 1) Usability Evaluation form. 2) EPSS – Electronic Performance Support System. 3) Methodology of Studies. Action: To read specific parts of the Dissertation in future. Background An instructional website was developed as an electronic performance support system (EPSS) to determine whether faculty would use and learn from such a resource. This website summarized pedagogical information about online instruction that users could access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Methodology In Phase I of the study, five college professors with experience teaching online courses evaluated the usability of the website and made suggestions on how it could be improved. Revisions were made to the website to enhance clarity and comprehension in preparation for Phase II of the study. In Phase II, 35 college instructors agreed to use the website to learn about pedagogical information related to teaching online courses. Only two people visited at least 75% of the web pages, limiting the conclusions that could be drawn. Conclusion Two conclusions, however, seem warranted. First, an EPSS is not the most effective way to deliver non-mandatory faculty education because the primary goal of an EPSS is to enhance performance in a business setting rather than to facilitate learning in the academic setting. Second, any type of faculty development program must be developed from the learner's perspective and include interaction between the participants. CHAPTER 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 29 Overview 29 Design of Ped·a·GO!·gy 29 Phase I: Usability Evaluation of Ped·a·GO!·gy 35 Phase I Participants 35 Phase I Procedure 35 Phase II Use of Ped·a·GO!·gy as a Learning Tool 35 Phase II Participants 35 Initial Phase II Questionnaire 37 Section 1 of the Phase II Questionnaire 37 Demographic Questions 37 Software Experience 37 Section 2 of the Phase II Questionnaire 38 Innovation Adopter Status Scale 38 Online Learning Platform 39 Section 3 of the Phase II Questionnaire 39 Phase II Procedure 43 Phase II Measures 44 Phase II Performance Measures 44 Phase II Exit Evaluation 45 Innovation Attribute Scale 45 Additional Questions 46 Chapter 3 Summary 46 CHAPTER 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 48 Results 48 Phase I: Usability Evaluation of Ped·a·GO!·gy 48 Phase II: Use of Ped·a·GO!·gy as a Learning Tool 53 Computer Experience of Participants 53 Innovation Adopter Classification of Participants 54 Website Activity 57 Measures of Learning 60 Exit Evaluation of Ped·a·GO!·gy 63 Follow-Up Questionnaire for Non-Completers 65 Discussion 66 Efficacy as an Electronic Performance Support System 66 Diffusion of Innovation as a Theoretical Foundation 70 Hypothetical Outcomes 73 For Whom Ped·a·GO!·gy is the Most Useful 73 Concept Check Quizzes and Case Studies 74 Exit Evaluation of Ped·a·GO!·gy 75 Chapter 4 Summary 76 APPENDIX A. Ped·a·GO!·gy's INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL 84 APPENDIX B. PHASE I USABILITY EVALUATION FORM 300 APPENDIX C. PHASE II INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRE 301 APPENDIX D. PHASE II EXIT EVALUATION 308 APPENDIX E. PHASE I EVALUATOR RESPONSES TO Ped·a·GO!·gy 311 APPENDIX F. FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NON-COMPLETERS 320