SYLLABUS

CORPORATE TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION Practicum

EDCI 57300 – sections 009 and 012 merged                                                 Spring, 2023

Instructor

Professor:
Dr. James D. (Jim) Lehman
Learning Design and Technology Program
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University
Email: lehman@purdue.edu
WebEx: https://purdue.webex.com/meet/lehman  (also available via Zoom or Skype)

Instructor’s Online Hours

I will be available via email and will respond as soon as I am available (generally within 24-48) hours. For the online discussions, I will check in at least 5 times per week. Keep in mind that in this course we will not have the usual weekly discussions (at least not every week).  There will be an open discussion going on, and I will be monitoring that multiple times a week, but in most cases that discussion will be where students exchange ideas, thoughts, and comments about their current practicum experience.  Guidance will be offered when it is requested, but in many cases it will come from others in the class and not always specifically from the course instructor. If you need to confer face-to-face, just e-mail me to set up a time to WebEx, Zoom, or Skype.

Course Website

Brightspace D2L is our course management system. You can access the course website at http://purdue.brightspace.com. It is strongly suggested that you explore and become familiar not only with the site navigation, but with content and resources available for this course.

Course Description

The practicum experience is designed to allow students to engage in the practice of instructional or learning systems design in classroom and workplace settings. While participating in the practicum you will combine effective design with project management, planning and implementation. To this point in your program you have had several in-class learning opportunities, the practicum is an opportunity to apply your acquired instructional design skills and practice those in a more real-world setting.  Basically, the practicum is an instructional design, development, and/or evaluation project you carry out for a client.

NOTE: This course is a core course in the online master’s program. A grade of B- or better is required (if a lower grade is received, the course must be retaken).

Practicum Goals

  • You will apply the components of a systematic design process or parts of the process in a project in a professional setting.
  • You will participate in the management of the project and will collaborate with others to complete project tasks. In the event you must work alone on a project, you will be required to discuss your project with other professionals.

Course objective and sub-objectives

Given a real-world instructional problem/challenge, the student will work closely with project supervisors and subject matter experts to plan, design, develop, and evaluate an effective instructional solution.

Sub-objectives:

Given a selected real-world instructional problem/challenge, the student will:

    1. Complete and interpret the needed analyses to fully understand the learning problem, the learners, and the learning environment;
    2. Learn to work closely with the project supervisor and any/all related subject matter experts in order to complete the project with the best possible relevant content within the proper time frame;
    3. Design and propose a full project plan that includes a solid estimate of all tasks with an accurate timeline for completion;
    4. Select and use a proper instructional design model to ensure all steps are appropriately identified for the project;
    5. Identify, select, and integrate appropriate learning theories and their subsequent instructional strategies within the instructional solution; and
    6. Develop draft instructional solutions, collect feedback about each draft and make appropriate revisions to produce a final effective instructional solution.

Practical Aspects of the Course

This course has been designed to allow you to practice your ID and communication skills you have been learning in the various courses of the CTC program.  To that end, you will be working in a real world setting on a project that is needed and directed by a client.  Each student within the course will have a different client and thus a different project.  Because of the diverse locations of each of the members of this class, it will be up to the student to identify a relevant instructional project, setting, and client and then determine how the project will be completed, who will supervise the project, and what the timeline and completion criteria will be for the project.  Your course instructor will then approve of the selected project and provide guidance and support for its completion.

Review the EDCI 573 Practicum Fact Sheet/FAQ to answer further questions.

Course Readings and Resources (subject to revision)

Required Textbook

There is no required text for this course

Optional Readings

Several texts and articles from previous courses may be helpful as you work through the practicum. In particular, the following may be of direct benefit:

  • Dick, W., Carey, L., Carey, J. O., The Systematic Design of Instruction.  Boston:  Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Online Discussions

Unlike most of the other courses in the online program, EDCI 573 has only limited structured online discussions.  The online discussions for this class will consist of four different experiences (two of which are graded):

  1. An opening discussion where individual class members will introduce themselves so that everyone in the class will know who is who.
  2. Throughout the course (from Week 1 through Week 7), there will be an open discussion forum where students and faculty can go to discuss specific aspects of the practicum projects.  If questions arise about a student’s project it can be posted in the forum so that others can review and potentially offer suggestions based on their current and past experiences.  The exchange of ideas and experiences should help all to gain in a greater fashion from this practicum. NOTE:  This online discussion focuses on peer consulting, it will not be the normal instructor-led discussion.
  3. During Week 4 of the course, an online discussion will focus on the lessons learned to that point in the project.
  4. A final discussion will be held during the initial days of Week 8.  In this discussion each student will describe/show his/her completed project via a screencast, give examples of what worked (and what didn’t) and overall what was learned from the experience.  NOTE:  The Week 4 and 8 online discussions will again be focused on peer consulting; it will not be the normal instructor-led discussion.

Assignments

All assignments for the course will be focused on the individual practicum experience.  Details on these assignments, along with guidelines for completion will be posted in the course D2L LMS.

 

Assignments

Points

Pre-proposal identification and sign off of the project

10

Proposal (description, goals, and timeline)

20

Project artifact (e.g., needs assessment, design docs, prototypes, reports)

20

Final completed project

50

Project Status Reports/Journal Reflections

 

Status Reports (5 pts/week x 3 weeks = 15 pts.)

15

Online Discussions

 

Week 4: Project Challenges

10

Week 8: Project in Review

10

Total

135

 

Time Management and Late Assignments

Deadlines are an unavoidable part of being a professional and this course is no exception.  Avoid any inclination to procrastinate.  To encourage you to stay on schedule, due dates have been established for each assignment; 20% of the total points will be deducted for assignments received 1-6 days late; assignments received more than 1 week late will receive 0 points.

Pre-Proposal Identification and Sign Off (10 points)

A brief description of the project, where it will be performed, and contact information for the supervisor will be submitted to gain project approval from the course instructor.

Full Practicum Proposal (20 points)

A full description of the project(s) with the stated goals, objectives, and full timeline will be completed within this assignment.  You, the instructor and supervisor will negotiate and approve the initial goals and timeline. Approval will also be required for modifications during the practicum period.

Project Artifact (20 points)

The artifact generated as a part of your practicum experience should be captured and presented in a form for review by the instructor, supervisor, and colleagues in the class. This will typically be a report, survey, design documents, prototypes, or something similar. Blogs, wiki’s, or other methods for doing this are possible. The method is up to you.

Final Completed Project (50 points)

The final product that was completed for the practicum (e.g., a new module for an online course, a complete needs assessment final report, a completed training packet/DVD, etc.).  In some cases, proprietary information may limit what can be presented outside of the organization.  Discuss this with your supervisor and course instructor to determine what can be shared with the course instructor.

Project Status Reports/Journal Reflections (3 x 5 = 15 points)

Be a reflective practitioner. Report on your progress and write about your experience in a way that helps others understand the decisions you made and their rationales, as well as the various emotions, politics, and other challenges you experienced.

Online Discussions About the Projects (2 x 10 = 20 points)

For the two online discussions (during Week 4 and 8) you will focus on your project and compare it with the experiences of others in the class (e.g., lessons learned, challenges, problems solved).  You will have the opportunity to select from a variety of ways to summarize what has been learned through your project.

Etiquette

Although it is not expected to be a problem in a graduate level class, students are asked to behave in the discussions and other class interactions in a professional and civil manner. If you are in doubt, do not post it! Instructors reserve the right to remove any postings deemed inappropriate, unprofessional, or otherwise distracting from the course.

 

Grading Scale

Letter Grade

Percentage of Points

A

94 - 100% of points

A-

90 - 93% of points

B+

87 - 89% of points

B

84 - 86% of points

B-

80 - 83% of points

C+

77 - 79% of points

C

74 - 76% of points

C-

70 - 73% of points

D+

67 - 69% of points

D

64 - 66% of points

D-

60 - 63% of points

 

Course Policies

Incompletes

A grade of Incomplete (I) grades will be given only in extenuating circumstances.  To receive an “I” grade, a written request must be submitted prior to week 7 and approved by the instructor.  The request must describe the circumstances, along with a proposed timeline for completing the course work. You will be required to fill out and sign an “Incomplete Contract” form that will be turned in with the course grades. Any requests made after the course is completed will not be considered for an Incomplete grade.

Course Evaluations

During the last two weeks of the course, you will be provided with an opportunity to evaluate this course and your instructor(s). Purdue now uses an online course evaluation system. You will receive an official e-mail from evaluation administrators with a link to the online evaluation site. You will have up to two weeks to complete this evaluation. Your participation is an integral part of this course, and your feedback is vital to improving education at Purdue University. I strongly urge you to participate in the evaluation system.

 

Purdue Policy Statements

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is one of the highest values that Purdue University holds.  Individuals are encouraged to alert university officials to potential breeches of this value by either emailing integrity@purdue.edu or by calling 765-494-8778.  While information may be submitted anonymously, the more information that is submitted provides the greatest opportunity for the university to investigate the concern. 

Purdue Honor Pledge

“As a boilermaker pursuing academic excellence, I pledge to be honest and true in all that I do. Accountable together - we are Purdue.”

Your Health and Well-Being

Purdue University is committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of its students.  If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of support, services are available. For help, such individuals on campus should contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (765)494-6995. After-hours support is available on a mental health crisis hotline (765) 494-6995, during and after hours, on weekends and holidays.

Accessibility And Accommodations

Purdue University strives to make learning experiences as accessible as possible.  If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, you are welcome to let me know so that we can discuss options.  You are also encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@purdue.edu or by phone: 765-494-1247.

Emergency Statement

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. Any changes in this course will be announced on our course Website.

Personal Emergencies

Purdue University “expects both students and their instructors to approach problems with class attendance in a manner that is reasonable”.  If you have a personal emergency, please contact your instructor as soon as you reasonably can so that you can work out a solution together.  For additional information, please review Purdue’s Attendance Policy.

Adaptive Programs Statement

Students with disabilities must be registered with Adaptive Programs in the Office of the Dean of Students before classroom accommodations can be provided. If you are eligible for academic accommodations because you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please schedule an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

Academic Dishonesty Statement

Purdue prohibits "dishonesty in connection with any University activity. Cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University is examples of dishonesty." [Part 5, Section III-B-2-a, University Regulations] Plagiarism, whether intended or unintended, is an extremely serious offense in academia. Be absolutely sure you are properly citing all references. Instances of plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment in question. More than one instance will result in failure of the course. All incidents of plagiarism, whether intentional or not, will be documented with the Dean of Students office.

Please review Purdue’s Plagiarism Policy.

Copyrighted Materials

Among the materials that may be protected by copyright law are the lectures, notes, and other material presented in class or as part of the course. Always assume the materials presented by an instructor are protected by copyright unless the instructor has stated otherwise. Students enrolled in, and authorized visitors to, Purdue University courses are permitted to take notes, which they may use for individual/group study or for other non-commercial purposes reasonably arising from enrollment in the course or the University generally.

Notes taken in class are, however, generally considered to be “derivative works” of the instructor’s presentations and materials, and they are thus subject to the instructor’s copyright in such presentations and materials. No individual is permitted to sell or otherwise barter notes, either to other students or to any commercial concern, for a course without the express written permission of the course instructor. To obtain permission to sell or barter notes, the individual wishing to sell or barter the notes must be registered in the course or must be an approved visitor to the class. Course instructors may choose to grant or not grant such permission at their own discretion and may require a review of the notes prior to their being sold or bartered. If they do grant such permission, they may revoke it at any time, if they so choose.

Intellectual Property

Online educational environments, like all learning environments, should provide opportunities for students to reflect, explore new ideas, post opinions openly, and have the freedom to change those opinions over time. Students enrolled in and instructors working in online courses are the sole proprietors of their work, opinions, and ideas. It is expected that other students will not copy, reproduce, or post to any other outlet (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, or other open media sources) any work in which they are not the sole author or have not obtained the permission of the author(s). Based on the success of LDT graduates, students in this course will likely be or become K-12 or university instructional technologists, instructional designers, instructors or administrators, or corporate trainers. The open, public nature of these careers is certainly unavoidable; however, our online classroom is not an open “public forum”. Therefore, all opinions, ideas, and work conducted in a password-protected online educational environment like Brightspace are owned by the author, intended for educational purposes, and are not intended for public dissemination or consumption without the permission of the author(s). This includes all areas of the online academic environment, including, but not limited to email, papers, reports, presentations, videos, chats, blogs and discussion board posts.

Diversity & Inclusion

Purdue University is committed to maintaining a community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential.  In the pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the University seeks to develop and nurture diversity.  The University believes diversity among its many members strengthens the life.  Please read Purdue’s nondiscrimination policy for more information.