ADP Design Document

Design Document

James Madison University

Meganne Downey, Kyla Rose, Alex Wilcox

1.Background

James Madison’s Adult Degree Program was created in 1977 as an interdisciplinary program for adult students. The goal of the program is for students who have started a degree but have not completed the degree to be able to finish it in a way that accommodates their lifestyle. Students who participate in the adult degree program graduate with a Bachelor in Individualized Study. They can then go on to work in their field of study or continue into graduate school. In this program students are not only able to participate in classes, they are actually able and encouraged to design their own curriculum. Although students are given freedom when doing this, there are some areas that are not optional which they must participate in; the Senior Project and Senior Project Forum are required to complete the degree.

An integral part of the Adult Degree Program is the Senior Project and Senior Project Forum. The Senior Project is designed to challenge the student as well as be a culmination of what they have learned over the course of their school career. This project elicits fear and trepidation from most students and is a source of anxiety that not only causes them issues, but also taxes the program director, Ms. Pamela Hamilton. In an effort to solve this problem, Ms. Hamilton made a handbook that answers common questions students ask about the project. The handbook also gives them helpful tools and hints for tackling the project. In addition to this it provides information about grading and the timeline for when work is due.

The problem with this handbook is that the students usually do not take the time to thoroughly read it, nor do they reference it to answer their questions. Although there is a quiz about the handbook that students have to pass in order to move forward, they still do not retain the material like they should. In an effort to mediate this problem, Ms. Hamilton has asked the design team to come up with an interactive program that covers the handbook material.

The design team will be creating an interactive e-handbook that breaks the Senior Project handbook down into five modules. At the end of each of these modules there will be a brief quiz that tests their learning. At the end of the handbook, there will be a more thorough quiz that follows up on the shorter ones and reassess where the students are at in their learning process.

2. Needs Analysis

            All students graduating from the Adult Degree Program are required to complete the Senior Project and Senior Project Forum, as previously stated. Most students who complete this do so in a way where they do not retain the information. The goal for this project is to create an interactive e-handbook that helps the students retain the information and be able to apply it at a later date.  Students do not read the handbook thoroughly and repeatedly contact the instructor with questions regarding it. In addition to increasing the student’s retention rate, the design team also hopes to decrease the amount of time the instructor has to spend answering these emails.          

3.  Learner & Context Analysis

Target Audience

The target audience for the proposed instructional design project is seniors who are completing their Senior Project in the Adult Degree Program at James Madison University.  The students in this program are compiled from a vast number of educational backgrounds.  These students are individuals whom may not be able to attend a four year institution due to other obligations such as managing a family, working full time, or both.  Because of these previous obligations, time constraints exceed those of traditional students.  Within this program, the student’s ages range from 22 to the upper 50s.  With the diverse age group, other factors such as technology skills and educational levels may vary. 

Target Audience Characteristics
Variety of Ages	Variety of Backgrounds (Educational)
Variety of Technology Skill Levels	Non Traditional Students
Time Constraints	Families & Jobs

Environmental Characteristics

The ADP at James Madison University was created for nontraditional adult students.  This program creates an individualized study plan for students and is compiled of 30 credit hours in a specific concentration.  ADP seniors completing the Senior Project must complete the Senior Project Workshop.  The Senior Project Workshop is offered online through the student’s Blackboard account and can be accessed at anytime. 

Persona Descriptions

Michael Allen  Age: 27  Job: Owner of “Cakes                             and Sweets Bakery”

Michael Allen started a bakery right after high school and found that he lacked some of the necessary skills to continue the growth his company.  Because he still needed to run his business he knew traditional schooling would not work.  Michael decided to enroll in the Adult Degree Program at James Madison University, in hope to receive his Bachelors of Individualized Study in Accounting.  Michael is now in his final semester at JMU and his business is busier than ever.

Rosa Smith Age: 44 Job: Preschool Aide

Rosa Smith is a preschool aide and a mother of 5.  Rosa got married right out of high school and never got to pursue her dreams of being a middle school teacher.  Rosa has decided she wants to continue her education, with JMU’s Adult Education Program.  Although Rosa technology skills are limited, she has maintained make it to her final semester at JMU.

4. Instructional Goal

ADP senior students will know and understand the steps to complete their Senior Project.  This, in turn, will reduce the amount of questions directed towards the advisors. 

5.  Content Analysis

Behaviors/Content:

            Use of Computer

            Use of Presentation Software

            Study Skills

            Complete and Pass Assessments

            Complete and Submit Correct Forms

            Time Management

Content Checking/SME Information:

Ms. Hamilton and Ms. MacDonald will serve as the subject matter experts for the interactive e-handbook.  Ms. Hamilton serves as the Learning Services Coordinator for the Adult Degree Program within Outreach & Engagement.  As the student’s unofficial first advisor, Ms. Hamilton, helps the students select a program of study at JMU in order for them to achieve their educational and career goals.  Ms. MacDonald serves as the Associate Director for Outreach & Engagement.  Ms. MacDonald is responsible for coordinating credit-based programs for Outreach & Engagement and supports technology needs, assessment and evaluation efforts, and faculty development for Outreach & Engagement.

	Need to Know	Nice to Know
Technology Skills	Computer – internet accessibility Software – how to use the interactive presentational tool Online Assessment – how to complete the online assessment with precision	How to take e-notes on the interactive e-handbook to stimulate comprehension.
Study Skills	Knowledge – recall of specific information Comprehension – understanding the information Application – how to properly apply the information to complete project	Learning theories regarding best practices for retention.
Soft Skills	Time Management – ensure completion of modules, meet deadlines Complete and Submit Forms – how to properly complete the online form and submit	How to assist others who have questions concerning the ADP Senior Project.

6.  Performance Agreement (Objectives)

Technology Skills

Objectives	Evaluation Tasks
Given Blackboard access, students will access the link for the online modules.	Students will be required to access the link on the Blackboard website.  Statistical data will be reported on the activity of each user on the Blackboard website.  After each module the student’s will be required to take an assessment.
Students will complete each module in the proper sequence.	Students will sequence through the modules by starting at Module 1 and working their way through Module 5 by completing each assessment associated with the module.
Students will demonstrate their comprehension of the information by completing the online assessment.	Students will be given an assessment after each module and be required to pass the module with a 90% or better before moving onto the next module.

Study Skills

Objectives	Evaluation Tasks
Students will recall specific information with regard to the Adult Degree Program.	Students will use their previous knowledge to start their Senior Project with regard to the Adult Degree Program.
Students will comprehend the information given in the E-handbook.	Students will take an assessment after each module and be required to pass with 90% or better.
Students will apply the information to properly compete forms and assessments.	Students will complete the proper online forms by the appropriate deadline and complete each module to meet this need.

Soft Skills

Objectives	Evaluation Tasks
Students will determine the proper time management skills in order to complete modules and meet deadlines.	Students will be given a time frame to complete the modules and assessments.  The students will demonstrate their ability to properly access and complete the modules before the deadline.
Given the online form, students will accurately complete form and submit by the deadline.	Students will be given the online form and information needed to complete their Senior Project.  The student’s successful completion of their projects will determine their ability to receive the degree.