COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to explore the field of human performance improvement and focuses on the concepts and principles of human performance technology, human performance technology models, training needs assessment, and knowledge management. Other topics explored include performance improvement interventions, such as behavioral and job task analysis, work redesign, performance management and coaching, and instructional strategies to improve workplace performance.

COURSE TOPICS

Foundations of performance technology
Performance technology landscape
Origins and evolution of human performance technology
Knowledge management and organizational change
HPT model
Cause analysis
Organizational development and performance analysis
Performance measurement and assessment
Instructional design strategies and evaluation
Training needs assessment
Behavioral, cognitive and job task analysis
Evaluation
Interventions
Performance improvement
Professional ethics
Aligning the human performance system
Standards and ethics in human performance technology

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course introduce you to the field of human performance improvement technology, especially as it relates to workplace training and productivity improvement. Upon completion of this course, the you will be able to:

Explain the general concepts and application of human performance technology.
Describe and analyze the various types of models used in human performance technology.
Design and conduct a training needs assessment.
Analyze data collected from a training needs assessment study.
List and discuss various approaches to human performance interventions.
Develop an intervention program to improve organizational human performance.

Apply ethical judgement in all research work relative to collection of human subject-related data.
Develop and apply strong and effective communication skills in the assessment and delivery of human performance training.
Integrate appropriate technology in human performance evaluation and intervention.
Discuss historical developments of human performance technology.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbooks

Van Tiem, D. M., Moseley, J. L., & Dessinger, J. C. (2012). Fundamentals of performance improvement: Optimizing results through people, process, and organizations (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Pfeiffer Wiley.
ISBN-13: 978-1118025246
Pershing, J. A. (Ed.). (2006). Handbook of human performance technology: principles, practices, and potential (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Pfeiffer Wiley
ISBN-13: 978-0787965303

Jue, A. L., Marr J. A., & Kassotakis, M. E. (2009). Social media at work: How networking tools propel organizational performance. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Wiley
ISBN-13: 978-0470405437

COURSE STRUCTURE

Human Performance Improvement is a three-credit online course, consisting of eight modules. Modules include an overview, topics, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: Fundamentals of Performance Technology
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 1 and 10
Module 2: The Human Performance Technology Model
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 2, 5, and 9
Module 3: Performance Analysis
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 3, 5, 7, and 8
Module 4: Cause Analysis
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 3, 4, and 8
Module 5: Intervention Selection and Design
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
Module 6: Intervention Implementation and Change
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
Module 7: Evaluation
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 3, 4, 7, and 8
Module 8: Performance Technology in the Workplace—A Word to the Wise
Course objectives covered in this module include CO 7, 8, and 9

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, and a final project. See below for more details.

Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.

Online Discussion Forums

You are required to participate in eight graded discussion forums. Discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the courses modules. There is also an ungraded but required Introductions Forum in Module 1.

For posting guidelines and help with discussion forums, please see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course Web site.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete eight written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the courses modules.

For help regarding preparing and submitting assignments, see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course Web site.

Final Project

Each student will act as a company’s human performance improvement consultant and will be given the project of helping the company develop an intervention program that will lead to improved employee productivity. Your assignment is as follows:

Part 1: Design an assessment instrument that can be used to collect information about the training needs of the employees.
Part 2: Administer the instrument to at least 10 employees of the company (choose any local company of your choice).
Part 3: Analyze the data collected and write a comprehensive assessment report on your findings.
Part 4: Based on the identified needs, develop an intervention program that will lead to improved employee performance.

Your final project is worth 40% of your grade. The assessment report (Part 3) is worth 10% and the intervention program report (Part 4) the other 30%.

For help regarding preparing and submitting assignments, see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course Web site.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Online discussions (8)—20 percent
Written assignments (8)—40 percent
Final project—40 percent

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	B	=	83–87
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–82
B+	=	88–89	F	=	Below 73

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects, etc.). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take the time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with Web-based learning be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: