Instructional Design
Instructional design is purposeful in creating training material based on learning principles and theories. Training, especially active training, allows for the transference of knowledge and skills. Active training serves as a way to develop the necessary KSAs for employees by empowering them to actively participate in the learning process. These KSAs acquired from training are meant to help improve work processes and accomplish their work-related tasks. By extension, a training program also addresses the training needs of an organization. For this consultation project, a summary report, trainer manual, and trainee manual were created for the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Valley.
“To inspire and enable the healthy development of all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring members of our community.”
BACKGROUND
The Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Valley was founded in 1967. They have a strong commitment to providing quality educational and recreational services to over 11,000 members per year. Their programs focus on 5 domains: academic success, good character, healthy lifestyles, arts, and sports. They currently employ 160 staff members within their seven facilities.
Process Overview
Needs Assessment
A needs assessment is a formal process of identifying performance gaps or areas of improvement within the organization. Determining these areas of improvement can inform the practitioner on what the necessary steps are to help the organization meet its goals. This is achieved through a systematic process of data collection -- some methods include but are not limited to, observations, interviews, and questionnaires. The three stages involved include 1. organizational analysis 2. job analysis 3. person analysis.
The Need:
There was a need for conflict de-escalation and management training. This could better prepare the staff to work through and event preventing conflict with parents.
Learning Goals & Training Objectives
The purpose of learning goals and training objectives is to serve as a guide for the focus of the training content. Learning goals can provide clarity on the purpose of the training and which outcomes should be accomplished from the training. Learning goals can be categorized as affective, behavioral, or cognitive. After identifying learning goals, it is time to create objectives. They outline what the trainees should accomplish or achieve by the completion of the training program. Each learning goal will map into at least one objective. If the trainees can meet the objectives by the end of the training, it should signify that the learning goals have been met.
Learning Goals
Training Objectives
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Identify individual conflict management styles through self-assessment in order to recognize personal conflict management behaviors and improve one’s ability to handle conflict
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Recognize others’ body language and accurately differentiate between a myriad of emotional responses (e.g., hostility, aggression, excitement, anxiousness, fear, distress, etc.) as part of an effort to appropriately assess and respond to the situation
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Employ the appropriate strategies and techniques (e.g., verbal, psychological, and nonverbal) to de-escalate conflict and prevent it from further intensifying
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Apply strong active listening skills to improve communication when interacting with Boys & Girls Club affiliates (e.g., parents, co-workers, etc.) to express transparency and eliminate ambiguity
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Formulate their own action plan for managing varying degrees of conflict severity and prepare workers for instances of conflict
Training Design
Trainer manual
Trainer Manual
The trainer manual is designed to serve as a guide to the training content. It includes notes describing the content of the presentation and materials used for the training program. On each slide, there is a pre-written script that could be used for the facilitator to present the material but also be used as transcriptions. There are time estimations on every slide to guide the speed and pace of the training presentation. Overall, this manual should prepare the facilitator with a comprehensive understanding of the training content and the intention in which the training should be delivered.
Training Presentation
Training Presentation
A training presentation was created for the organization. It is compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides. The presentation includes the purpose of the training, background information on B&GCHV, 3 training modules, activities, and more. Creating an active training with interactive and engaging activities was an essential component of the training. We also created a Gmail account for the training program with access to the presentation slides, website links, evaluation forms, and other resources.
Trainee Manual
Trainee Manual
This manual provides the trainees with their own copy of the presentation slide deck. However, the module slides have redacted sections for the trainees to fill in the blank. This serves as a way to have the materials handy for the trainees but also motivates them to maintain their focus throughout the training.
Module 1
What is Conflict Management?
The main focus of module 1 revolves around conflict styles. Two major components of this module include a conflict management style self-assessment quiz as well as a lecture-based informational session on conflict styles.
Knowledge
Conflict resolution and management
Apply conflict management techniques
Conflict management styles
Skills
Abilities
The difference between each conflict management style
Identify own conflict management style
Empathetically approach conflict
Knowledge
Conflict resolution and management
Apply de-escalation techniques
Read body language
Skills
Abilities
Learn active listening skills
Identify appropriate and inappropriate cues when dealing with conflict
Apply active listening skills
Adjust body language in an appropriate manner to de-escalate conflict
Module 2
Conflict De-escalation techniques
In module 2, trainees will learn helpful conflict de-escalation strategies and techniques. Experiential learning activities are woven throughout this portion of the module so that trainees could actively practice these skills.
Module 3
Create your own plan
This last module is all about applying the learning materials from the training program to create a personalized action plan. This plan will help guide and prepare trainees to deal with (potential) conflict and de-escalate the situation.
Knowledge
Apply conflict management techniques to real-life scenarios
Create an action plan to deal with conflict
Understand how to plan ahead for managing conflict
Skills
Abilities
Know which skills and techniques will be helpful to manage conflict
Evaluations
Evaluations are essential to the success and longevity of the training program. They measure the effectiveness of the training.
Reflection
Accomplishments
Future Considerations
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Instill a passion for learning design and development
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​Meticulously created an intricate training program
This training project was incredibly laborious and intricate -- I enjoyed every bit and piece of it. This project taught me a lot about the amount of work ethic and detail that need to be invested in curating a training program. As part of a team, I learned how to carefully translate data and research into material that addresses the needs of stakeholders. I really see the incredible benefits that this project has because it directly creates a solution for the people who need it. Within our limited timeframe, our team was successful in creating a comprehensive training program. Overall, the project was really exciting to execute and provided such meaningful experiences.
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Create an outline for check-ins. ​
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Conduct interviews with B&GCHV parents
This project was one of the most intricate of all projects as an external consultant. There were a lot of components to juggle while simultaneously consulting for another elaborative project. To work through the intricacies, our team's work processes could be improved by using a set schedule to touch base. Written communication was our main form of touching base -- it was great because this allowed for flexibility with our busy schedules. More structure would provide more clarity between team members. Additionally, it would have been interesting to sit down to understand matters from B&GCHV's clients, the parents through a focus group or interviews.
Competencies Utilized
Stakeholder Management
Building rapport with both the leadership team and staff members was critical to establishing trust. This enabled us to communicate the importance of this training. From that, we obtained a deeper understanding of the working environment to gain enriching and meaningful data.
Data Collection & Analysis
Identifying and employing applicable data collection methods and techniques helped us obtain critical information. We applied a mixed-methods approach to analyzing the data Appropriately analyzing the data allowed us to interpret and extract meaningful information.
Communication
Communication is crucial to every aspect of the project. This is essential to relay ideas, messages, and intentions to both team members and stakeholders. During our challenges, I found it advantageous to initiate team check-ins. This really helped us gauge our work and progress.
Teamwork
Teamwork was an integral component to the success of this project. A lot of coordination and collaboration between team members were required to collect data, analyze data, and formulate ideas.
Adaptability
We were able to rely on a flexible timeline and were open and accommodating to any changes that had to be made. As a team, we worked through scheduling conflicts and expected unexpected changes. It is critical that we do our best to address the needs and requests of all parties involved.
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Fun Fact
Process consultation is a set of techniques that can improve organization members' interpersonal or group processes and behaviors.