eJournal Entry1

According to Ryan (1975), “A systems approach is an operational concept, referring to a scientific, systematic, and rational procedure for optimizing outcomes of an organization or structure, by implementing a set of related operations to study an existing system, solve problems, and develop new or modify existing systems” (cited in Richey, Klein, & Tracy, 1975, p. 17). What is key here is that our primary purpose in applying instructional design models or processes, such as the ADDIE model, is to solve some sort of problem. When you introduced yourself to the class, you indicated a topic or subject area for your instructional design project. For your first journal entry, I’d like you to more fully explore what problem your instructional design project will address. You’ll use a systematic process for identifying the root cause of a problem; this process is known as the 5 Whys.

1. First briefly describe your intended project. You can copy and paste it from your introduction if you wish. Then state what the problem that your design project will address is. If you’re designing a new course or workshop, the problem might simply be that the course or training doesn’t exist. If you’re modifying instruction, state why. This is your first why.
2. Then determine and state why the problem you’ve identified is occurring or why that problem is a problem—your second why.
3. Now explain why that’s occurring (the cause) or why that’s a problem (unintended or undesirable effects)—your third why.
4. Then identify a fourth and fifth why if you can.
5. Now reflect on your process. Did this technique reveal any new insights for your project? Has it changed the scope, purpose, or focus of the project? Explain how or why. 

Additional Resources
Feel free to read more on the 5 Whys technique, where it originated, how and why its used in Wikipedia or all over the web, if you wish.

For my instructional design project, I will work on a Drug Free Workplace eLearning that is used for all new employees for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. An eLearning exists, created in 2009, and needs to be completely revised, expanded, etc. to provide the required information with learning scenarios for the appropriate audience. 

The outdated eLearning is not giving accurate information to new employees and could become a potential legal issue for the Department. The original eLearning does not include any learning scenarios which does not allow the learner the ability to apply knowledge. Also, the eLearning itself is old and has issues. Links don't work, people listed in it don't work for the agency anymore, and the questions asked are lower than the lowest Bloom's levels (I'm talking sub-remembering if there was such a thing). 

Due to time constraints, lack of knowledgeable developers, and budget restraints, the eLearnings for the agency have not been updated since 2009. This was the first one targeted due to new policy changes and many complaints to our helpdesk regarding issues related to functionality and inaccuracy of information. Due to non-maintenance of the eLearnings, they are out-of-date, reflect speedy design (or lack of design) processes, and lack of any application and higher level questions. I was hired to 1) get our face-to-face training program up and running again and 2) begin revising all eLearnings that are available to new employees. I've accomplished goal #1 and now am moving my focus to eLearnings.