Mini-Analysis: Software Application Training For Online Learning

Mini-Analysis: Software Application For Online Learning
Conducted by: Martha Tessmer, Fall 2009

Overview:
After extensive experience in providing software training to adults in both a classroom and computer lab format, I am interested in the viability of converting similar training to an online format. My approach in face-to-face instruction is to introduce a new concept(s) and then provide an opportunity for hands-on practice with instructor assistance by request. So my analysis was done on what the preferences are for people learning new software computer concepts. The analysis was done in the form of a survey created and conducted using Surveymonkey.com The complete survey results can be viewed in the attached .pdf document.

Audience:
A survey was sent out to 20 people with 13 people starting the survey but only 11 completed all parts of it, resulting in an 84.6% response rate. However, some questions were completed by 11 or 12 participants so the percentages reported reflect the percentage of respondents for that question rather than the total number of respondents. After closing the survey, I received many email messages from people who had been out of town over the Labor Day weekend explaining why they had not been able to participate as requested. So I feel that the response rate would have been greater having been conducted away from a holiday weekend.
The survey was distributed via online communication in order to increase the chances of touching base with as many participants as possible. Since many people utilize email communication through their work sites and due to the holiday week there was a likelihood that the invitation to participate may be missed, I chose to distribute the survey through Facebook email messaging instead. This allowed me to select 20 people whom I knew were active online users outside of working hours. A message was sent to them with a link to the survey which took them directly to the survey for completion.

Results:
The demographics of respondents ended up being predominantly female (69.2%, 9 of 13). All respondents were high school graduates with 69.3% attending college or graduated from college (38.5%, 5 of 13 with an Associate Arts degree, 30.8%, 4 of 13 with a Bachelor’s degree).

The questions that most closely related to the preferred approach to learning for the respondents was the information most valuable. The results will be the drivers for ideal inclusion in an online format of computer software application instruction. The full survey is attached to browse through all questions asked; however, listed below are the questions receiving a greater than 60% response. These will be the approaches focused on during my curriculum development.

Example of how the new concept could be used 83.3% (10 of 12) *highest response

Opportunity for hands-on practice on a sample exercise 75.0% (9 of 12)

Combined verbal and written introduction to the new concept 66.7% (8 of 12)

Printable user guide about the concept 66.7% (8 of 12)

“Having an opportunity for hands-on practice” was rated as Very Important by 58.3% (7 of 12) respondents along with “Feedback from instructor during practice”. Following close behind at a level of Important was both having a “Printable user guide” and “web page reference links” with the printable guide receiving a 81.8% reponse (9 of 12).

As for a timeframe preference for learning computer concepts, the results were a 1-2 hour session (63.6%, 7 of 11) in either a single event (36.4%, 4 of 11) or 3 session format (36.4%, 4 of 11).

Conclusion:
From the mini-analysis survey results, my direction for curriculum development has been set as well as a challenge determined. I will now explore the Adobe Connect application for web conferencing to test different approaches with the tools available in an attempt to provide online instruction that incorporate identified preferences for software application instruction. My biggest challenge is to find a way to offer supplemental hands-on practice with an exercise that allows each member of the learning audience to practice what they have just been taught by watching an audio demonstration of how the concept is performed. I will be attempting to provide hands-on practice in individual breakout rooms so that the student can practice on a predetermined exercise and during individual practice, the instructor will go to each breakout room to provide individual assistance. Plus, within the breakout instruction box, a link for a printable guide with step-by-step instructions will be included.