Technology Plan for Web-based Distance Education
for
Christmas Lights, Inc.
Vision
The Training Department at Christmas Lights, Inc. will provide franchises with effective training programs to improve individual and organizational performance in support of business goals. The training programs will be offered in the classroom and online in order to meet the time and cost needs of the franchises.
Description of Existing Situation
Christmas Lights, Inc. is a business located in Lubbock, Texas. The company’s business is designing and installing commercial and residential lightning for Christmas. The company sells its franchises in the United States. There are 20 franchises at this time. The corporate office provides the franchises their training and lightning equipment.
The current training for the franchise owners, designers, and installers is currently done in a three day seminar with lecture, video and text in the Lubbock office. The franchise owners have to bring their entire staff with them to the three day seminar. All members of the staff have to sit through the entire three days even though only a portion of the information is for their particular expertise. The franchise owners are responsible for travel, lodging and meal costs.
The franchise owners and their staff are required to return to Lubbock once a year for refresher training at their expense or pay a $1,000.00 penalty to Christmas Lights, Inc. Most franchises have been choosing to pay the $1,000.00 penalty rather than take the time and costs to bring their staff to Lubbock for refresher training.
In the corporate training room there are no computers since all of the training has been paper based. There is one television and VCR to show the video based information. There is one whiteboard at the front of the room. There is one training manager. She was hired to learn the training material and system and take over the training. The budget pays the training manager’s salary and the cost for supplying each franchise with the training manual.
Needs Assessment Procedure
A planning team will be selected by the owners of Christmas Lights, Inc. to include person(s) from the following groups:
The owners of the company will present the task to the planning team to schedule the planning process and conduct a needs assessment.
Step 1. The planning team will adopt a technology program vision statement.
Step 2. The planning team will
identify what needs to assess and the methods for assessment. Several
categories of questions will require answers before the planning process can
proceed.
Franchise Needs:
Method for assessing needs is a questionnaire sent to all franchises.
Corporate Needs:
Method for assessing needs is a
questionnaire that will be completed by all management employees of the
corporate office.
Objectives and Methods
Goal 1
To determine the most cost effective and learner centered training for the franchises.
Objective 1
The training manager will mail out the “Training Questionnaire” to all 20 franchises. The questionnaire will be sent out on June 16, 2004. The questionnaire will be due on July 16, 2004. On July 23, the training manager will review the questionnaires that have been received. Ninety percent of the questionnaires will be returned. Ninety percent of the questionnaires will be 90% completed. The training manager will create a spreadsheet with the results by July 30, 2004. The target date to present the hard to the planning team is August 10, 2004.
Objective 2
The training manager will obtain a list of 90% of the franchises that have chosen to pay contract fines rather than complete refresher training. The training manager will create a chart to show the number of franchises that complete refresher training versus the number that elect to pay the fine. The chart will be completed by July 30, 2004. The target date to present the hard to the planning team is August 10, 2004.
Goal 2
To determine what personnel and equipment is already available for a distance learning computer lab. To also determine what additional personnel and equipment would be necessary for the lab.
Objective 1
The training manager will give the “Management Questionnaire” to all management level personnel in the corporate office by May 28, 2004. The questionnaire will be due on June 28, 2004. On July 9, the training manager will review the questionnaires that have been received. Ninety percent of the questionnaires will be returned. Ninety percent of the questionnaires will be 90% complete. The manager will create a spreadsheet with the results by July 30, 2004. The target date to present the hard data to the planning team is August 10, 2004.
Goal 3
Develop a plan for the additional personnel, equipment and budget for the distance learning training lab.
Objective 1
The planning committee will meet on August 10, 2004 to evaluate the questionnaire results.
Objective 2
The planning committee will determine the need for extra personnel and create job descriptions by August 31, 2004.
Objective 3
The planning committee will draw draft of a computer lab design by September 21, 2004.
Objective 4
The planning committee will create a draft of equipment and supply list for the computer lab by October 12, 2004.
Objective 5
The planning committee will create a budget to accommodate the additional personnel, equipment and supplies for the distance learning training lab by November 2, 2004.
Objective 6
The planning committee will present their questionnaire results, job descriptions, distance learning lab design, list of equipment and supplies and budget to the ownership of Christmas Lights, Inc. on November 23, 2004.
Goal 4
Hire the additional personnel. The timeline now depends on the fiscal budget year that can accommodate these expenditures.
Objective 1
The planning committee will post the opening(s) for the additional personnel. It will take one month to receive all resumes.
Objective 2
The planning committee will meet and review all resumes and make recommendations.
Goal 5
Prepare the training classroom for distance learning.
Objective 1
The Distance Education Coordinator will create the final draft of the computer lab.
Objective 2
The Distance Education Coordinator will supervisor the networking of the computer lab.
Objective 3
The Distance Education Coordinator will purchase the equipment and supplies for the distance learning training lab.
Objective 4
The Distance Education Coordinator will work with the Networking Manager to set up log on and log off procedures.
Objective 5
The Distance Education Coordinator will develop a log in system for the face-to-face classes.
Goal 6
Redesign the training material.
Objective 1
The Distance Education Coordinator will redesign the training material into modules for each specific job area for classroom usage.
The Distance Education Coordinator will develop online courses that are equivalent in rigor and accountability to face-to-face courses.
The Distance Education Coordinator will work in two directions with the VHS training tapes. One direction will be to separate the tapes into clips that address each specific job area. Another direction is to put the clips into a digital format so they can be loaded onto the corporate training website.
Goal 7
Evaluate the new training procedures.
Objective 1
The Distance Education Coordinator will create and implement into each module an evaluation form to be completed by each participant at the end of each module in the classroom and online.
Objective 2
The Distance Education Coordinator will create and implement an evaluation form to be completed by every participant two months after receiving training.
Goal 8
Create a corporate training website.
Objective 1
The Distance Learning Coordinator will supervise the design and implementation of the corporate training website.
Budget
|
Personal |
Salary Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Distance Education Coordinator |
$60,000.00 |
|
|
Fringe Benefits (40%) |
$24,000.00 |
|
|
Total Personnel Cost |
|
$84,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hardware |
Hardware Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Dell Dimension 8300 Computers (25 * $2665.00) |
$66,625.00
|
|
|
HP Color Laser Jet 4600 Series Printer (1) |
$1,997.64
|
|
|
HP ScanJet 4670 See Thru Flat Bed Scanner (1) |
$198.76
|
|
|
HP PhotoSmart 945 Digital Camera (1) |
$499.00
|
|
|
Creative Labs Webcam NX Pro PC Camera (25 * $49.99) has microphone |
$1,249.75
|
|
|
Total Equipment |
|
$70,471.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplies |
Supplies Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Printer toner cartridges (6 @ $115) |
$690.00
|
|
|
Printer Paper (200 reams @$8.15) |
$1,630.00
|
|
|
Imation 3 1/2" diskettes IBM formatted, DS/HD, Black, Box of 10 ($4.91 * 25 boxes) |
$122.75
|
|
|
Memorex CD-RW Media, Pack of 25 (10 Packs * $23.97) |
$239.70
|
|
|
Other supplies (miscellaneous) |
$300.00
|
|
|
Total Supplies
|
|
$2,982.45
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment Repairs and Replacement |
|
$6,932.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software |
Software Cost |
Total Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Software |
|
$0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Contracted Services |
Contracted Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Videotape duplication |
$1,000.00 |
|
|
Internet Service Provider ($50 monthly fee * 12 months) |
$600.00 |
|
|
Total Contracted Services |
|
$1,600.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Travel |
Travel Cost |
Total Cost |
|
Texas Distance Learning Association Conference ( includes air, hotel, rental car, gas, food, parking) |
$1,500.00 |
|
|
Mileage reimbursement @ .37 cents for 1000 miles for usage of personal vehicle |
$370.00 |
|
|
|
|
$1,870.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cost for 2004-2005 Budget |
|
$167,855.64 |
Job Description for Distance Education Coordinator
Position Title
Distance Education Coordinator
Responsibilities (General Description)
To support and maintain the instructional environment for all of the distance education delivery systems within the University
Salary
$50,000
Duties
1. Coordinate and supervise online courses and activities
2. Support faculty, staff, and administration on the technology and instructional paradigms of distance learning
3. Provide training for the distance education faculty
4. Maintain records related to distance education
5. Provide reports, as needed, regarding distance education
Qualifications
1. A Master’s degree in Instructional/Educational Technology, or a
related area
2. Five years of progressively responsible management experience
3. Additional education may substitute for
experience on a year for year basis
Education
A Master’s degree in Instructional/Educational Technology, or a related
area
Experience:
1. Development and/or administration of a web-based instructional
delivery system
2. Web-authoring tools
3. Synchronous and asynchronous communication tools and streaming
multimedia
4. Supervision of staff
5. Development and presentation of traditional and web-based training
6. Knowledge/use of: IT Project management; a PC with Windows 98 or
higher operating system and of packages like Microsoft Office, Windows NT
network environment
7. Must have excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service
skills
Terms of employment
Employment is a 12 month employment.
Supervisor:
The position will report to the owners of Christmas Lights, Inc.
Computer Lab Configuration
Schedule of Implementation
§ The process of gathering hard data for evaluation of the project and presentation to the owners for approval to continue would end in November 2004.
§ If the project was approved for the 2005 fiscal budget year beginning on January 1, 2005 then the personnel would be hired within two months.
§ The classroom would be networked. The computers and other equipment and supplies would be ordered and installed. I see these two components being accomplished by the end of August, 2005.
§ The re-designing of the classroom material into face-to face modules and online courses would be completed by November 1, 2005.
§ The design and implementation of the corporate training website would be completed by December 31, 2005.
The new face-to-face classes in the new computer lab and the online courses would be ready for use on January 31, 2006.
Operational Policy and Procedures
Policy 1. All new franchise employees will attend a three day workshop within two months after purchasing the franchise.
Procedures
▪ Franchise employees will attend basic training before supplies and
equipment will be issued to the franchise.
▪ Franchise employees will register with the corporate office in
Lubbock, Texas two weeks prior to attendance.
▪ The corporate office will notify in writing within one week that
said employees are registered to attend the basic 3 day workshop training.
▪ The corporate office will furnish the franchise a list of the date
and time for each of the courses in the workshop with their notification of
registration.
▪ The franchise is responsible for all travel, hotel and meal expense
for their employees who attend the basic 3 day workshop training.
▪ Franchise employees will be mailed a certificate of completion one
week after attending the basic 3 day workshop training.
Policy 2. Franchise employees can elect to take the basic
training through online courses offered on the corporate training website.
Procedures:
▪ Franchise employees will complete the basic training online before
supplies and equipment will be issued to the franchise.
▪ Franchise employees will register online prior to beginning each
course.
▪ Franchise employees will complete each course.
▪ Franchise employees will be mailed a certificate of completion for
each completed online course one week after completion of that
course.
▪ The online basic training will be free of charge to franchise
employees.
Policy 3. All new franchise employees will attend a one day refresher training workshop every year after the initial three day workshop. The franchise owner does have the option to pay a $1,000 penalty fee rather than require their employees attend the refresher training.
Policy 4. Employees of Christmas Lights, Inc and the franchise owners and employees are prohibited from vandalizing the computer training lab.
§ Lab users are required to sign in and out of the lab when they use it.
§ Only the Training Manager, Distance Education Coordinator, Web Design Manager, Networking Manager will have keys to the computer training lab.
§ Virus detection software will be installed on the network and virus definitions will be kept up to date.
§ The Distance Education Coordinator is the only person authorized to load software onto the computers in the lab.
§ Food and drinks may not be brought into the lab facility.
Policy 5. All instructional material and video tapes are the property of Christmas Lights, Inc.
§ The Distance Education Coordinator will keep an accurate inventory of all training materials.
§ The Distance Education Coordinator will refurnish training materials when necessary.
Policy 6. Equipment or supplies may not be removed from the training computer lab.
Policy 7. Only the Distance Education Coordinator and the Training Manager may have access to the records and files of franchise owners or employees that chose to take their training online.
§ The Distance Education Coordinator and the Training Manager will be issued passwords to access the files and records.
§ Franchise owners and employees who choose to take their training online will be issued user names and corresponding passwords.
Evaluation Design
The evaluation design for this technology program is multi-faceted and involves the use of data from questionnaires, archival data and evaluation forms.
Questionnaires will answer the following questions:
Evaluation forms will answer the following questions:
Archival data such as lab use logs and online use logs:
Christmas Lights, Inc.
Training Questionnaire
Instructions: The Christmas Lights, Inc. basic training should prepare your company for success. The refresher training should prepare your company for continued success. This questionnaire gathers feedback about your success after attending training classes with Christmas Lights, Inc. Your comments will help us improve our training.
Please use the rating scale below to answer the following questions. Each question can have more than one answer.
Rating Scale
0 My job does not include this area of responsibility.
1 Doing this is difficult, and I usually ask (or call) for assistance.
2 I can do this after studying my reference materials to learn what to do.
3 I have to use reference materials as reminders.
4. I seldom use reference materials.
5. I do not need to use reference materials.
6. I knew how to do this before coming to training.
7. I would prefer training targeted to my specific area of expertise.
8. I would prefer basic training online.
9. I would prefer basic training in the classroom.
10. I would prefer the refresher training online.
11. I would prefer the refresher training in the classroom.
__________ 1. I understand how to order supplies from Christmas Lights, Inc.
__________ 2. I understand how to design a lightning map for the job.
__________ 3. I understand how to install the lightning.
__________ 4. I understand how to market my franchise.
__________ 5. I understand how to bid for a job.
__________ 6. I understand how to place an order for lightning supplies.
__________ 7. I know what lightning equipment and supplies to take to a job.
__________ 8. I feel that the 3 day seminar for basic training in the Lubbock office works well for my franchise employees.
__________ 9. I feel that the refresher training is adequate for my franchise employees.
__________ 10. I feel that I could increase my profits if training from Christmas Lights, Inc. was enhanced. Please explain in the comments section.
Are there any comments that you would like to make?
Please check one box
11. Which amount is closes to your cost for our training to your franchise:
□ Under $500
□ Between $500-$1,000
□ Between $1,000-$1,500
□ Over $1,500
12. How much money could you save if our training was online?
□ Under $500
□ Between $500-$1,000
□ Between $1,000-$1,500
□ Over $1,500
13. Would you take refresher training if it was online?
□ Yes
□ No
14. Check the box on the number of employees that you could eliminate if training was online?
□ 1-2
□ 3-5
□ More than 5
Franchise owner question
Please write a number between 1 and 5 next to each item below. Put a 1 next
to the item that is MOST important to you in selecting to become a franchise
owner. Put a 5 next to the item that is LEAST important. Please use each number
only ONCE.
__________ The location of the corporate office
__________ The cost of the franchise
__________ The addition to my current employment
__________ The training availability
__________ The profitability of the franchise
Employee question
Please write a number between 1 and
4 next to each item below. Put a 1 next to the
item that is MOST important to you in becoming
an employee of a franchise. Put a 4 next to the item that is LEAST important.
Please use each number only ONCE.
__________ The salary
__________ The hours
__________ The training
__________ The type of work
Name of franchise ______________________________________________________
Position held at franchise_________________________________________________
Date questionnaire completed___________________________________________________
Christmas Lights, Inc.
Management Questionnaire
for Technology Program
Instructions: The Christmas Lights, Inc. has plans to develop a technology program for web based training for all franchises. This questionnaire will aid in determining whether the corporate office has the essential elements to develop such a program.
Please use the rating scale below to answer the following questions. Each question can have more than one answer.
Rating Scale
1 I can do this
2 I can not do this
Questions
__________ I can Install computer hardware.
__________ I can Install computer software.
__________ I can Install networking hardware and software.
__________ I can Install web hardware and software.
__________ I can design curriculum for classroom usage.
__________ I can design web based curriculum.
__________ I have web designing experience.
__________ I can transfer VHS to digital video.
__________ I have training experience.
Are there any comments that you would like to make?___________________
Please check one box
There are computers in the current training classroom?
1 Yes
1 No
There is network wiring in the current training classroom?
1 Yes
1 No
How many computers could be installed in the current training classroom?
1 1 to 5
1 6 to 10
1 11 to 15
1 16 to 20
1 20 to 25
Does the current training classroom contain any of the following?
1 video projector
1 television
1 projection screen
1 VCR
How many tables are in the training classroom? ________________________
What are the dimensions of the training classroom tables? _________________
How many chairs are in the training classroom? _________________________
What flooring is in the training classroom? _____________________________
What type of overhead lighting is in the training classroom? ________________
Are there any windows in the training classroom? ________________________
What are the dimensions of the training classroom? ______________________
How many computers will be needed to accommodate a 3 day training seminar?
1 1-5
1 6-10
1 11-15
1 16-20
1 21-25
1 26-30
What would be the approximate cost for the new computers in the training lab?
1 $5,000-$10,000
1 $10,000-$15,000
1 $15,000-$20,000
1 $20,000-$25,000
1 $25,000-$30,000
What additional equipment would be necessary in the training lab?
1 video projector
1 projection screen
1 TV
1 VCR
1 network wiring
1 carpet
1 tables
1 chairs
1 stands
1 printers
What would the additional equipment cost?
1 $1,000-$5,000
1 $5,000-$10,000
1 $10,000-$15,000
1 $15,000-$20,000
1 $20,000-$25,000
Can the current budget manage the projected cost of the computer training lab?
1 Yes
1 No
If not, which fiscal year budget will be able to manage the projected cost?
1 2005
1 2006
1 2007
1 2008
Will instructional curriculum design personnel need to be hired?
1 Yes
1 No
At what salary range?
1 $30,000-$35,000
1 $35,000-$40,000
1 $40,000-$45,000
1 $45,000-$50,000
1 $50,000-$55,000
1 $55,000-$60,000
Name of Christmas Lights, Inc. employee ___________________________
Job position of employee ________________________________________
Date questionnaire was completed ________________________________