Self-directed learning by Julee Sims

 Assignment 2: Self-Directed Learning

Goal:

To teach new employees how to use the software program UKG to record their work hours and approve their timecards for their supervisor.

 

Objectives:

Employees will learn:

·       How to punch in and out of their shift.

·       How to submit a change to their supervisor to fix a mistake on their timecard.

·       How to submit a request for vacation or sick time.

·       How to approve their time card for their supervisor to submit to payroll.

 

Rationales:

This online module is utilizing the Self-Directed Learner theory and was created for a Stage 3: Involved Learner according to Grow’s Staged Self-Directed Learning model (Merriam & Baumgartner, 2020). An involved learner has the desire to learn and the skills to use a guide on their own time to acquire new skills. I felt that a new employee would have the desire to learn UKG considering this is how they are paid. They also can use this guide on their own time and acquire the necessary skills to approve and submit their timecards to their supervisor. It allows the employees to work through a step-by-step process to learn all aspects of UKG, or to choose a specific topic to reference while learning to resolve a specific problem. So, while the module is linear in nature, the learner can also utilize Spear’s interactive model of SDL. Spears felt that,

"a successful SDL project is one in which a person can engage in a sufficient number of relevant clusters of learning activities and then assemble these clusters into a coherent whole.”
 (Merriam & Baumgartner, 2020)

A stage 3 learner should not have a problem with a module that can be done in a linear fashion, or by navigating to specific clusters to gain knowledge. Although, according to the instructional model by Hammond and Collins a Stage 3 learner still works closely with an instructor (Merriam & Baumgartner, 2020). As their supervisor, I would still be available to help the employees with any questions or concerns not answered in the module.

 

Design:

 A digital learning module that allows the learner to start at the beginning and work straight through to the end, or skip to specific topics.

 

References:

Merriam, S.B., & Baumgartner, L. (2020). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide  (4th ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.