Welcome

Opening remarks and welcome by Bruce Aumack, IBM Austin Area Education Manager, and George Kozmetsky, EnterTech Principal Investigator, IC² Institute.

Mr. Aumack welcomed all to the IBM TeamFocus Decision Room and reminded coalition members "the work depends on all of us" to make EnterTech a successful program.

Dr. Kozmetsky noted the meeting as a "landmark" in EnterTech Project activities. He added that the project coalition is more aptly described as a "knowledge community," via the diverse experiences of the group, working together, and the input of so many on workforce development training needs. He also spoke of ongoing research into "reality-based simulation" and the need to test and verify methodologies used in the EnterTech training program.

Remembering Dewey Winburne

Introductions of attendees

Update of activities

Ms. Bednar discussed project activities occuring since the October coalition meeting. Major accomplishments include:

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Report to TWC
• Assessment and Evaluation Strategies Report to TWC
• Completion of Work Keys profiles and the targeted jobs chart
• Technical Specifications Report
• Subcontract with Human Code for curricular and multimedia production

EnterTech competency matrix

Mindy Jackson, EnterTech Project Coordinator, provided an overview of the methodologies used to distill the large collection of knowledge, skills and abilities gathered from SCANS, job descriptions, and the Work Keys job profiles. An early report on this work is available at this site at update.html. Since February, the chart of competencies has been further analyzed into levels. The levels represent a "learning ladder" for EnterTech participants. The leveling examines competencies based on simple to complex cognitions and directed to self-directed learning behaviors. In this manner, learners can build on sequential learning steps, using a three-tier approach of conceptual-to-manipulative-to-interpretive skills levels. The goal is to create a challenging learning environment that meets individual learner needs but is not too difficult as to cause frustration or failure.

Development & production strategies

David Palumbo, Vice President of Learning Technologies at Human Code, provided an overview of the Human Code organization and their production processes. Dr. Palumbo introduced their internal team structure - producer team, creative team, curriculum team, audio/video team, art and design team, internet development team - and motto "Learn, Work, Play." Palumbo noted that Human Code tries to combine learning, working and playing into all their products as well as all their processes. Human Code uses teams of refined and specialized skills to work various aspects of a project, be it technical, creative, pedagogical, etc. with one or more producers orchestrating the collective activities.

Prototype of Web/CD-ROM instruction

Samples of the Human Code portfolio were shown as well as an early prototype of the EnterTech Project. The prototype, lasting about 5 minutes, provided an idea of how learners would experience the virtual work environment and their learning tasks. In the simulation, learners encounter problems while completing inventory forms and must seek help from a co-worker or supervisor. Skills tested not only include locating and recording information, counting, and problem-solving, but also interpersonal skills such as knowing when to ask for help, demonstrating proper workplace ettiquete, and following verbal directions.

TeamFocus input and discussion forum

Four questions were posed to members:

1. What is your preference on the balance between individual and collaborative activities?
2. What are specific safety situations and procedures we should familiarize our students with?
3. What other comments do you have about the production strategies and prototype?
4. What types and amoung of inkind contribution can your organization make to support match dollars for additional grants to support media production?

Members agreed that a balance of individual and collaborative activities were necessary to teach the types of interpersonal skills required, with the classroom instructor facilitating.

Safety requirements included OSHA, lifting techniques, hazardous materials and other scenarios that would provide a foundation and prepare students for specific job-related safety lessons.

The members were impressed with the Human Code presentation, liking both the strategies of combining individual learning and group activities with a compelling narrative story. Concerns included the technical requirements to run the program on pervailing hardware/software found in training facilities, the problem of teaching "soft skills" in such a time-frame as to produce affectual changes in learner behavior, and that students complete a minimum of three weeks with the training program (to more fully measure attendance, sustainability and readiness for full-time occupation).

As the EnterTech Project seeks additional funding to augment production quality and pilot testing of the program, members noted they could provide inkind contributions in the following areas: locations for filming, beta sites, equipment, learning materials, videos, graphics, time and expertise, distance learning instruction and development, teleconferencing, classrooms and computer labs.