Study Proposal

The proposal is well on its way. The learning achieved during these past two weeks are invaluable. Not only am I learning a lot of academically valuable information, but also I am learning to look at my problems in a new light. I am finding that sometimes what seems to be the problem is not at all the problem, but more likely the side effect of the real problem.

Digging deeper and exploring related literature has helped me to gain a better understanding of what is happening with my employees. Action research is all about learning how to improve teaching so better learning and retention can take place for all learners. Action research has already let me take a deeper look at myself and how I can better facilitate learning for my employees.

For my private life, I have also gained some knowledge in critically assessing sources of information. Often we read information and take it at face value, but do not even know who the person is giving the information. Are they reliable, are they subject matter experts, do they have the credentials to convey the proper information? When was the last time you researched the source of the information you just collected?

A few things to consider:

• the writers credentials
• credibility of the website
• why are they posting the information (selling, informing, propaganda)

The following citation was given to us by our teacher. I find this to be very helpful when investigating a source for credibility. Check out some of your favorite websites with this and see what you find. 

Have fun exploring!

Barker, J.  (2012).  Evaluating web pages checklistt.  The Regents of the University of California.  Retrieved from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/webeval-QuestionsToAsk.pdf

Topic

Good Day,

Because, I would have only two subjects I decided against the active research I proposed yesterday. Thus, I will put it on the back burner, but it will not be forgotten. I do believe that this is an important issue and should be investigated. 

I decided to replace my previous topic with research on utilizing technology tools to increase learning during times of deployment changes to menus and policies. This way I can have a larger sample of participants. 

Currently employees take another two to three weeks after the implementation of the changes to understand and adhere to the new policies. Customers become frustrated because employees are not knowledgeable. The population of the study would range in ages from 17 to 50, with various educational backgrounds, cultural background and language abilities. I would want to split participants into two groups to see if the new technique works better.

  

With the research I would want to answer the following questions:

1.     Can interactive technology training help to absorb the new material?

Can I improve retention by asking the employees to write a summary of the changes?

Does the application of technology learning improve customer service?

Have a great day,

Cornelia

Topic

Good Day,

I was thinking for my topic I would like to research a way to improve training for employees for whom English is the second language (ESL). Although, we have some training materials in Spanish, we also employ persons from other countries. I would not be able to deliver training materials in all languages, but there has to be a way to improve training for ESL employees.

Statement of observation: ESL trainees have a longer and harder time learning the materials and

                                          tasks presented during training. More complex subjects are at times

                                          not transmitted

        My question then is: How can I improve training for ESL employees?

As a country that has a diverse population we have to recognize that in order to teach our employees the tasks and subject we need them to adhere to we must adjust our training styles. As a company we could lose valuable assets if we lack in training the ESL employee.

                                                     
Have a great day,

Cornelia Ross

Introduction

Today I am starting a new class at Ashford University. The class is EDU 671 Fundamentals of Educational Research. In this class I will learn how to perform active research in order to improve education. I am a little worried, because I do not intend to use my degree to become a teacher, but I am looking to achieve a career in the field of corporate training.

This week I will have to come up with my research topic. Thus, I will have to put on my thinking cap. I was thinking I should choose one of the reasons why I want to go into the field in the first place. Currently I work in fast casual food service, and training is just not what it should be. I worked a few years for McDonalds and Starbucks who seem to have training better in hand. 

The young people that are coming through my doors these days expect a little more from training then we did in my days. Today's workers are looking for more training and training tools, they do not like the feeling of uncertainty. I would like to bridge that gap a little.

 "Education is not the learning of facts, but training of the mind to think"

~Albert Einstein