"Analyze, synthesize, use inductive and deductive reasoning, solve problems effectively and creatively."

Artifact: EDTEC540 Performance Analysis & Job Aid
Requirements of the pre-requisite EDTEC course, 540: Educational Technology, included: 1) conducting a performance analysis (PA) and 2) designing, developing and writing a report for a job aid defined by the PA findings. My PA and job aid focused on recent college graduates and how they manage their money. Additionally, these projects show adherence to the cognitive standard, “Analyze, synthesize, use inductive and deductive reasoning, solve problems effectively and creatively.”

Context
The purpose of the 540 project was to achieve the following objectives:

• conduct a performance analysis including goal, gap and cause analyses;
• examine several sources including the target audience and extant data;
• use data to suggest a holistic solution systems; and,
• create a job aid to help solve the initial problem.

I chose to conduct my PA based on the ongoing money, budgeting and debt problems experienced by college graduates. Before determining appropriate solutions, I reviewed literature to complete the goal analysis and surveyed several recent graduates to identify the performance gaps and causes for the problems. The results showed that the majority of recent graduates have skills/knowledge, motivation, environment, and incentive issues. The job aid I suggested focused on each of these issues, while recognizing it would work best in a system of solutions. My job aid consists of two parts: 1) a Microsoft Excel workbook template, where users can record spending, plan for savings, and compare current habits with recommended savings strategies, and 2) a supplemental user’s manual that helps learners use the Excel program with ease while, at the same time, learning money management skills. The job aid report details analysis techniques, objectives, pilot test, interpretations and revisions, and suggested solution system for my financial planning job aid.

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Demonstrating the Cognitive Standard
I have demonstrated mastery of the cognitive standard, “Analyze, synthesize, use inductive and deductive reasoning, solve problems effectively and creatively,” in several ways. The project’s PA and job aid report illustrate my ability to analyze by using multiple methods and sources, using both deductive and inductive reasoning. The analysis process started with analyzing the target audience, where I examined demographics and assumed skills and attitudes. Next, in my gap analysis, I surveyed recent college graduates to uncover money management problems while, at the same time, reviewing existing literature to define the project’s goals and identify best practices and optimal financial planning skills and habits. The cause analysis required me to analyze and categorize the root causes for the problems, or drivers and barriers to performance. During the job aid pilot test I applied my analyzing and reasoning skills while observing users from the target audience interact with the Excel workbook and user’s manual and apply it to their personal financial situation. These usability tests facilitated effective and accurate problem solving necessary to iteratively revise and develop both the workbook and supplemental guide.

Synthesizing skills were demonstrated in the creation of a solution system that effectively solves money management problems. This solution system includes an Excel job aid and supplemental users’ guide, as well as an introductory training seminar that raises awareness of the value of improving money management skills, and the benefits of using the job aid. Inductive reasoning, in particular, was used to design the job aid by considering the detailed facts gathered during the PA to identify appropriate solutions, then applying general instructional design and learning principles, and theories, to the actual design of the Excel workbook and user’s manual.

Lastly and most importantly, I was required to effectively and creatively solve the problems faced by a diverse and widespread audience. Usability testing encouraged the continuous improvement of the job aid, based on feedback from several users, and therefore, resulted in the development of an effective job aid. Choosing to create an Excel workbook template was a creative way to eliminate the need for user math skills that are necessary for budgeting.

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Problems & Opportunities Encountered
Few problems and opportunities were encountered during the course of this project. However, one problem was identifying the consensus among various sources of literature on the best practices and habits to employ for optimal financial planning and budgeting. This project also enabled me to recognize opportunities of which I have been able to take advantage in several other EDTEC courses, such as: conducting analyses to produce rich and useful data, and using multiple tools to create a system for solving problems.

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Lessons Learned
The lesson I learned from completing this 540 project are as follows:

• it is pertinent to ask the right questions in surveys and during pilot test observations and interviews to receive the right information,
• many methods and sources can be utilized during one project to collect data that will enable problem solving and suggest solutions, and
• job aids can be an effective piece for solving complex performance problems.

Upon reflection and after completing other courses, I realize the opportunities for a more creative solution system for this project, especially with the growing popularity of advanced technologies like mobile support. Furthermore, this project allowed me to reflect on the skills and capabilities I gained and that can be applied in my future educational technology career, including:

• using Excel to eliminate usability constraints,
• writing concise analyses that provide only necessary information, and
• using cognitive skills and reasoning to create effective solution systems.

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