Overall Instructor Rating: Satisfactory

Ratings explanation:

• Exemplary - A model answer in almost every way (this is given out very rarely).
• Satisfactory - Very well done; you've met the expectations of the assignment. There are some minor problems, so read my feedback well.
• Marginal Pass - You pass, but there are lots of issues to consider. Read my feedback very carefully and be sure you understand the points/issues I raise.
• Not satisfactory, redo and resubmit - The assignment was not completed appropriately. I am concerned that you do not understand the process well enough yet. To get credit for the assignment, you need to redo it, most probably on another topic. Read and consider my feedback very carefully before redoing.

Instructor's Overall Feedback:

Generally very good. I tweaked your problem statement, so read my comments there carefully. You also got a little confused toward the end, especially with your description of the needs, so take note of my comments there as well.

1. Preliminary: Describe the context within which this potential instructional problem takes place. This will pinpoint where the problem is located. If instruction is deemed necessary, this will be the place where it will be designed and implemented.

a. List the context, also known as the "system of interest".

Your final response:

School Max Tracking System at Winder-Barrow High School

b. Describe or show how the context relates to the bigger environment. Show how this context relates to other levels of the system within which it works.

Your final response:

School Max, the internet tracking system for daily attendance and grades, is utilized at Winder-Barrow High School which is a part of the Barrow County School System, one of 159 local school systems in Georgia. Attendance tracking is the first of a two phase implementation for School Max which will be used by all teachers in the county.

The instructor's feedback to step 1:

You did a fine job describing how the various systems interrelate. However, the system of interest needs to be modified. It needs to target where the instructional "action" needs to take place. My recommendation is the "Winder-Barrow High School In-service Program" (or whatever your school or district calls its in-house training programs for teachers).

2. Symptoms of a problem. Write a brief description of some symptoms that make you stop and wonder if something is wrong.

Your final response:

Teachers at Winder-Barrow High School are unable to use the new internet attendance system, School Max. They are having trouble adjusting from the paper system to the computerized system. Many teachers have expressed difficulty with system usage, and the attendance office is not receiving reports timely or the reports are incorrect. Also, the attendance office receives numerous calls on a daily basis regarding the use of School Max.

Using the evidence cited above, describe why you believe that these symptoms signal a problem. Keeping these questions in mind, describe the reasons for identifying these symptoms as problematic.

Your final response:

Due to the lack of timely and correct reports submitted with the School Max system, a problem is identified with system usage. Paper reports were timely and correct the majority of the time. The large number of call to the attendance office concerning the system indicate teachers have difficulty using the system. No formal training session was offered to the teachers prior to phase one implementation which tracks daily attendance.

The instructor's feedback to step 2:

Looks good. BTW, I believe the word "not" is missing from this sentence: "Paper reports were timely and correct the majority of the time." Right?

3. Preliminary Problem Statement. Based on 1 and 2, write a preliminary draft problem statement. Your context should be the subject of the statement. This is just the initial pass -- the statement will be revised in subsequent steps.

Your final response:

The teachers at Winder-Barrow High School need training on the School Max internet tracking system.

The instructor's feedback to step 3:

Your problem statements points to the teachers. Instead, let's point to the "Winder-Barrow High School In-service Program". I recommend the following problem statement: "The Winder-Barrow High School In-service Program does not adequately prepare the high school teachers how to use the School Max Internet tracking system". I know it seems like a subtle difference, but notice how it targets exactly where the instructional 'action' needs to happen.

4. Verify the problem and determine specific needs. Two things will now happen concurrently. First, you need a systematic procedure to identify and collect data in order to verify that a problem exists. Second, you must identify information that the data sources may help uncover.

*Note: You are not required to gather data; you can draw on your experience or imagination to list the data you might gather.

The instructor's feedback to step 4:

OK. It looks like the first need is a normative need. The second is not a need, but data pointing to a need (probably to the first one). The third is an expressed need (though perhaps not one expressing a need for instruction, but just dissatisfaction). The fourth need is definitely not instructional, but either motivational or attitudinal.

5. Prioritize your list of needs.Which are most important? Why are they most important?

The instructor's feedback to step 5:

Good. Actually, what you've done is restate your original needs (I like these better). However, your first statement is not a need -- it is a 'fuzzy goal'. Your reasons seem circular to me. A good reason for teachers to be able to use the new system is because of Georgia state law which requires this data be entered accurately and timely.

6. Rewrite your problem statement. Take a moment to look carefully at the initial problem statement that you wrote. Revisit your prioritized needs and check if your problem statement is still accurate and appropriate.

Rewrite the problem statement here:

Your final response:

Teachers at Winder-Barrow High School need training on the use of the School Max Internet Tracking System and ongoing support for the use of the system.

The instructor's feedback to step 6:

I think my revised problem statement still holds: "The Winder-Barrow High School In-service Program does not adequately prepare the high school teachers how to use the School Max Internet tracking system".

7. Identify the instructional goals. The last step in Needs Assessment is to list a few goals of instruction. Remember, not all goals can be solved through instruction. The instructional goals you identify will be the starting information for the next steps in the instructional design process. List the instructional goals in order of priority.

The instructor's feedback to step 7:

Good general goals, though you may have spilled over into strategies for meeting the goals. The next step, occurring in the next IDA, is to state the goals in a way that allows them to be assessed clearly.