I believe that a scholar should search for a sense of synergy in their scholarship, teaching, and service efforts. This synergy should encompass personal achievement and motivate and assist others who desire to follow in their footsteps. My philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator, civil rights leader, and community activist, who believed that individuals should use their heads, hearts, and hands to contribute to the greater good of society. I am presently striving to strike a balance of harmony with all aspects of my graduate studies. In an effort to develop such a balance, I will continuously coordinate my scholarly endeavors so that they are aligned with my career goals.
#1: To own a performance consulting firm
Upon completion of my doctoral degree I plan on working in the area of performance improvement for approximately five years with a special interest in human resources staffing systems (HRSS), organizational development (OD), and program development and evaluation. Many individuals have difficulty understanding the meaning and value of the field of Instructional Systems Technology (IST), specifically Human Performance Technology (HPT). I find it useful to frame and present the value of IST and HPT as broader, systematic, and a less biased approach to performance interventions than HRD and OD. It is my desire to demonstrate HPT’s value through my performance consulting work. Approaching the performance consulting market in this manner will enable me to add value to potential clients and the field. It also helps others to visualize and appreciate the impact of my IST/HPT skills, knowledge, and experience can bring to their organization. I plan to focus my consulting services in the following areas:
I. Designing and developing training
II. Analyzing, evaluating, and engineering human performance systems
III. Developing request-for-proposals (RFPs) for corporations, public entities, and foundations to meet community needs
IV. Develop sustainable fundraising plans for non-profits
My consulting services will use instructional technologies to educate clients’ staff on the latest methods and research in their respective fields. It will also educate clients on how they can better serve their constituencies through the use of technology. The consulting firm will provide services to small businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Continental US and the Caribbean.
It is also my desire to establish and direct a non-profit consulting organization which will focus on closing the “digital divide” among low-income youth through after school care, summer programs, and community centers in the United States and the Caribbean. My goal for this organization is to develop an e-learning model that support students’ course work during the academic year and their after school and summer activities. The organization will assist community centers in developing programs that are geared towards the specific needs of the children in that area. I believe my experience in teaching pre-service teachers to integrate technology into teaching will be of value to this endeavor. The non-profit will provide other small non-profits with online training and seminars focused on fundraising by building partnerships in coordination with local universities to help reduce the cost of these pro-bono services by working with faculty and students interested in performance improvement.
#2: To teach human performance courses at the graduate level
I am continually seeking opportunities to learn more about the field of human performance technology. I have taken several of the core HPT courses in the IST department, as well as special topical seminars offered by the department. In an effort to distinguish myself, I will obtain a minor in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management in the Kelley School of Business. I hope gain teaching experience in the proposed IST HPT blended program. I am specifically interested in the topic of equity or justice in organizations for improved organizational performance.
#3: To teach pre-service teachers in an online learning environment.
I have a passion for teaching and I see it as an opportunity to impact the lives of others and pass on my knowledge and experiences. I am an Associate Instructor (AI) for W401: Integrating Technology in Teaching a blended course (i.e. face-to-face and online) designed to give pre-service teachers the skills and experience to affectively and appropriately integrate technology into their teaching. While working as an Instructor for W401 I have developed course materials, evaluated students’ progress and manage a blended learning environment consisting of 38 to 75 students with different learning styles. I encourage my students to continuously renew their knowledge and skills of new computer applications and to develop the mindset of a lifelong learner.
My teaching experience has been rewarding and has inspired me to pursue research efforts focused on enhancing pre-service teachers’ integrating technology education. For example, I have conducted a literature review on technophobia. I am currently in the process of examining pre-service teacher’s perception on the value of microteaching in W401: Integrating Technology in Teaching through previous class reflection and possible interviews for my Y611 - Qualitative Research course. I have also, had the opportunity to work on the Persistent Issues in History Laboratory for Virtual Field Experience (PIH-LVFE) project, which is an online database designed to help pre-service social studies teachers become teachers by providing them various types of learning materials.
I believe that my doctoral studies afford me numerous opportunities to hone my research, teaching, and service competencies in the areas of human performance technology (HPT) and pre-service teacher education. My interest in HPT stems from the field’s quest to improve human performance within a variety of organizational setting; as well as performance technologist ability to embrace an array of methods and interventions. I am specifically interested in the enhancement of worker productivity through training, feedback systems, and the engineering of human performance systems to increase organizational effectiveness.
In order to achieve my goals, I will utilize my knowledge of instructional systems design (ISD), human performance technology (HPT), organizational behavior and public & non-profit administration. I believe I have acquired knowledge of public & non-profit administration during my Master’s coursework at the University of Central Florida and practical experience with the Bethune Historic Preservation Project. I am currently in the process of completing my minor coursework in business and plan to be done by the end of spring 2009. I have also, conducted a literature review on the progression of equity theory in organization literature. (See Research Competency 1 for Lit. Review) I hope to learn more about how the distributive rule and procedural rule affect individuals’ performance during my organizational behavior course this spring.
I have also acquired content knowledge in ISD and HPT through my completed course work in the following areas. Evidence of this knowledge can be found on my transcript and throughout my dossier.
Design and development
Email request from Prof. Boling to use my R521 Analysis & Instructional Design Document for Concept Classification as a good example for future courses.
Date Acquired – November 1, 2006
(See Teaching Competency 4b for Analysis & Instructional Design Document )
Analysis and evaluation
Eli Lilly Manufacturing & Quality Learning Center contract and project grade for R561.
Date Acquired – April, 4, 2007
(See Research Competency 4a for contract and project grade)
Principles of human performance
Title: Kelley School of Business Junior Executive Institute (JEI) Human Performance Plan
Date Acquired – July 24, 2008
(See Service Competency 5c for Performance Plan)
ISD methodologies
Title: ADDIE: Where are we going?
Date Acquired – November 1, 2007
(See Research Competency 1c for Literature Review)
As an active participant in the HPT research group, I have been involved in several research projects that continue to enhance my knowledge of human performance technology. For example, I have worked on the ISPI 2008 Practice & Job Task Analysis Survey which has given me the chance to explore several different human and organization performance issues. These issues include a) perceptions and frequency of using the Certified Performance Technology (CPT) standards, and b) the difference in inputs and outcomes between males and female within a professional organization; specifically focusing on the relationship between experience, certification, use of standards and salary. Further evidence of my HPT research activities are located in the research and service section of my dossier.
To accomplish my goals I must establish myself as a performance consultant and find my unique niche in the market. I believe that a doctorate in Instructional Systems Technology (IST) and minor focus in Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management, as well as my Master’s in Public Administration provides me with the formal training I need to achieve these goals. However, I am quite aware that I need to acquire work experience in the area of performance improvement. I think it is critical that I obtain an internship with a professional consulting firm during my graduate studies. Hopefully, an internship will lead to employment. This will facilitate an understanding of the cultural nuances of industry. An internship will also afford me the opportunity to master the mechanism inherent in a variety of organizations, in order to better communicate and navigate through these environments when I venture into consulting on my own.