Chapter 14: Human Performance Improvement
Educators are always searching for ways to improve student performance, whether it’s on formative or summative assessments in the classroom or on state mandated tests. Professional learning communities are a non-instructional solution to help improve student performance. Professional learning communities (PLCs) are being created to build school wide cultures of “teacher leaders” that focus on improving student learning. These learning communities are similar to Human Performance Improvement in that they value accomplishment through people. Members of a PLC share a common vision to increase student achievement. To reach this desired end, they recognize and capitalize on the collaborative strengths of the staff to enhance their effectiveness as professionals for the students they serve.
PLCs observe and learn from one another, they share data with one another, and they encourage and guide one another to become leaders in their profession. PLCs are a form of HPI because they, too, share a vision of achieving, through people, increasingly successful accomplishments that are valued by all stakeholders. PLCs are a great non-instructional way to improve student performance.
Chapter 15: Electronic Performance Support Systems
Various definitions of EPSS –
1. From the Computing Dictionary
(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.
["Electronic Performance Support Systems: How and Why to Remake the Workplace Through the Strategic Application of Technology", Gloria Gerry, Weingarten Press].
2. Raybould (1990b) also includes the concept of integration in his definition: "An electronic Performance Support System(PSS) is a computer-based system that improves worker productivity by providing on-the-job access to integrated information, advice and learning experiences"(p. 4)
3. A computer system that provides quick assistance and information without requiring prior training to use it. It may incorporate all forms of multimedia delivery as well as AI techniques such as expert systems and natural language recognition.
From PC Magazine Encyclopedia
4. "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.
I prefer the last definition from Tech Scribe. I like this definition because it is easy to understand and explains in detail what EPSS means. Tech Scribe even goes on to make the distinction between online help and EPSS.
The important differences between Electronic Performance Support Systems and online help are shown by the emphasized (bold) words in the definition:
• Integrated with software. EPSSs are highly integrated with software. The user does not leave the application to get help. Compare this with online help, which, even if context-sensitive help, are usually separate from the software.
• Individualized. EPSSs can be user sensitive and can show content that is dependent on a user's ability. Typically, with context-sensitive help, the content is dependent on the screen that a user is viewing.
• Push technology (from publisher or server) versus pull technology (from the client). With EPSSs, the system helps the user, without the user asking for help.
I agree with the authors of the textbook when they say EPPS hasn’t been widely used to a lack of awareness. I think there are many out there who would use these systems if they knew they would be cost-effective and beneficial. I also believe this awareness will increase as technology use increases and as studies are done to prove the effectiveness of electronic performance support systems.
Chapter 16: Knowledge Management and Blended Learning
A real problem I’ve faced this year is trying to make sure my low-performing students are prepared for the increased rigor that will come with the STAAR test. What we do on our campus that incorporates knowledge management and blended learning has to do with the way we measure student performance and what we do in regards to that performance. Based on the state readiness and supporting standards, we create short common assessments and upload them into the online software Eduphoria Aware. After these common assessments are given, we meet to discuss the results of the assessments. We look at the data and discuss the results as teachers. We then share the results with our students and go over the common assessments explaining why each answer is correct and why each incorrect response is incorrect. For the students who do not meet expectations, we assign them to tutoring and/or reteaching. For those who consistently do not meet expectations, we also assign them to the online software program Study Island. So far, we have been pleased with the results. Our students have both the face-to-face instruction as well as the computer-based training.
Chapter 17: Informal Learning
Informal learning happens all the time. It can be related to my job as a teacher, but it can also be related to my personal life and interests. I enjoy geocaching, and many times I discover unique historical markers or other interesting tidbits when I find the cache. I also learn things through the Internet by watching YouTube videos or something as simple as reading a blog I’ve stumbled upon.
As a teacher, a type of informal learning I enjoy is teacher rounds. I visit other teachers’ rooms to watch how they teach and interact with their students. I am not there to provide them with feedback but to find things I can take away from what I observe. It can be something as simple as how to handle classroom routines or it can be a unique way to teach a concept. I can also learn a lot about my students by watching them in another setting. I can see how they interact with other students, or maybe I can see them excel in another subject area. During these teacher rounds, I learn from the teacher, but I also learn from observing the students. The teacher does not have to change anything with his/her instruction. All he or she has to do is allow me to come in and observe and take away what I can. Teacher rounds provide some of the most useful informal learning that I have experienced as an educator.
http://www.geocaching.com/
Your blog is always a happy place to go electronically. Great work!
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