Overview. The purpose of this assignment is to explore in depth an instructional program created or managed by someone with expertise. You are to choose a setting (e.g., community college, academic or public library, computer training, etc.) and arrange a visit and interview time with an instructor or trainer. The results of your interview are to be written up (1-2 pages) and posted to your class web page on Blackboard. During class on Feb. 1, you will share the information each of you has collected with a group and a spokesperson will provide a summary to the class.

Choosing the Setting and Arranging the Interview. Select a situation that is similar to one where you want to work. If you have some ideas but no site as yet, send me an email and we'll try to come up with a site and an interviewee that will provide some helpful hints.

Call or email your expert and arrange an hour to visit at your mutual convenience. (Note: If no visit time is convenient, a telephone interview is possible).

If you can find information about the site in advance (via a web site or a publication) it will help you prepare for the interview and perhaps preclude your asking obvious questions.

Possible Interview Questions. Below are some possible interview questions for you to consider. You may use all or some of them (I've provided a lot to choose from) or you may wish to develop your own set of questions. I recommend you write out the questions you wish to pursue and provide them to the instructor/trainer ahead of your visit if possible. If not, bring a copy to share with your interviewee during your conversation.

Section I -- About the Context. (If you haven't ascertained this information ahead of time)

1. Does the department or unit have a mission statement? What is it? How does the training or instruction provided support this mission?
2. Is there an overall instructional or training plan or is the training offered as a series of special lessons or workshop as requested?
3. Who are the learners and what are some of their characteristics?
4. How large is the organization where training takes place (e.g., number of potential learners and number of instructors)?

Section II -- About the Training Unit or Department.

1. What is the name of the unit and how is it organized?
2. What kind of scheduling system is used for training activities? (Ask to see a copy of a typical week's schedule)
3. Are learners typically taught as a class, in small groups, or as individuals? How long is a typical training session?
4. Is the staff differentiated? That is, are there instructors, instructional developers, graphic designers, and/or other support people?
5. With whom does the person you are interviewing work most closely? (Identify by functional or subject area, level in organization, or other)
6. Are there any print or web handouts or guides? (If so, and there is time, ask to look at one or two)

Section III -- About the Teaching Program

1. About how much time each week is spent in planning with others?
2. Is there a overall instructional guide or standard that governs what will be taught?
3. Are records kept on training sessions? What information is collected?
4. What kind of evaluation of the training is carried out.
5. Please describe some of your methods of teaching. (Ask to see some lesson plans, if there is time and instructor is willing)

Section IV -- About the Instructor

1. How long have you worked in this organization? Have you worked in other settings? (If time, explore work history and comparisons of instructional programs)
2. What committees, departments or planning groups do you work with on a regular basis?
3. How closely do you work with the director (top manager)?
4. What do you like best about your instructional program?
5. What would you like to change?

You will be assigned to a group of 2-3 people from the class. We will spend some class time on Feb. 1 sharing the information you collected and noting similarities and differences. Please select a spokesperson from your group who can provide a 5 minute summary of the teaching programs you learned about.