INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

To:
From:
Subject:

John Petrov, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Sherma Edwards, Training Administrator
Implementing a Professional Online Training and Workshop for the Administrative Staff at the
University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

Date:

UMUC faculty members are able to participate in professional development workshops. However, by
implementing a new professional online training and workshop for the administrative staff members as well, both on and
off-site employees and including external job aids, employees will be provided with another tool towards making their job
easier. This training method is suggested because online education has vastly grown and is predominantly used by
organizations today to encourage workplace learning, to minimize overhead cost and to promote employee or career
development opportunities (Harasim, 2012). A practice, UMUC already follows, and should continue to provide the
convenience, coherent and quality pedagogy and instruction to all its employees, regardless of hierarchy, through
technology and computer conferencing systems.
Employees will be exposed to a highly active, virtual community, which will maximize knowledge building,
online collaborative learning (OCL), communicating, networking, problem solving and information sharing skills. These
will eventually lead to friendships and an online community of practice (OCOP) focused on task-based, practice-based
and knowledge-based online learning environment, that will help deal with globalization and societal shift issues at this
distance education institution (Harasim, 2012, p.149; Cleveland-Innes & Garrison, 2010). This proposed workshop will
help leadership and management teams meet the universities, mission, visions and core values, by investing in their
employees and building their strengths and addressing their weaknesses. Nonetheless, it is important to note that theory
can influence the policies of a teaching and learning environment, but the right theories are needed for this workshop and
its success.

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Best Practices in Online Teaching and Workplace Learning Strategies

Two of the most significant and best practices in online teaching and workplace learning are the intersection of
learning theories and online technologies (Harasim, 2012, p.2). Both are of valuable assets in this 21 st century era and
Knowledge Age where social communication and human development is necessary for distance learners.
What Is a Theory of Learning and the Types of Theory Required for Workplace Training?
A theory is an explanation of why something occurs and how it occurs and is scientifically explained and
developed by scholars or researchers who aim to help us understand how people learn (Harasim, 2012, p.4). The
earliest set of learning theories initiated according to its history, does include: the behaviorist, cognitivist and
constructivist.
Behaviorist Learning Theory
This theory focuses on factors that are observable and how people behave and the methods needed to change
elicit particular behaviors (Harasim, 2012, p.10). Below is a list of necessary roles and recommendations needed for a
successful online program:
Learners and Instructors Role

The learners are very passive and responds to stimuli (Keesee, n.d., para.1).

The instructor designs the course and is in control of the learning environment. When information is
presented to the learners, the students must demonstrate they understand the material and are usually
assessed through tests (Keesee, n.d.).
Recommendations and Relevance to Educational Technology

Rapid feedback is strongly suggested and reward and punishment is usually implemented

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Students should be allowed to learn at their own pace

It is implicated that goals must be set, objectives met and the designer decides what is important for the
learner to know and figures out how to transfer that knowledge (Keesee, n.d).

Cognitivist Learning Theory

Cognitivism is concerned with the humans mental state of mind. However, for this workshop to thrive, the
following practices must be implemented:
Learners and Instructors Role

Learners process, store and retrieve information for later use (Keesee, n.d., para.2).

Instructors manage problem solving and group learning strategies

Recommendations and Relevance to Educational Technology

Students develop learning through information flow and designers must consider the learners characteristics when
deciding on methods that may promote or impede the cognitive processing of information (Keesee, n.d.,
para.2). The students beliefs and thoughts can be influential to learning.

Task and learner analysis is required, however the goal is to enable consistency among learners ((Keesee, n.d.).

Constructivist Learning Theory

Constructivism refers both to a learning theory (how people learn) and to an epistemology of learning (what is
the nature of knowledge) (Harasim, 2012, p.60). There are certain characteristics, which this program should follow:
Learners and Instructors Role

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The learning environment is very active and the students construct new ideas according to their past experiences
and knowledge.

Teachers must learn how to foster new knowledge and must rely on open-ended questions.

Recommendations and Relevance to Educational Technology

Social interaction and motivation does impact the construction of knowledge

Students are encouraged to analyze and to think critically and to be able to deal with real life situations.

The behaviorist, cognitivist and constructivist learning theories, each can be useful when creating a successful elearning course, however research shows that other tactics may be beneficial for online learning and workplace training
(Hanover Research Council, 2009). Harasim, (2012), mentions in her book, a new field of online learning, which has
emerged to deal with course design and pedagogical issues. She extends the importance of OCL and OCOP. However, for
the purpose of this practice, the implementation of an online training and workshop at UMUC, it is suggested that the
OCL, OCOP and the constructivist learning theory is a key significance to the programs success.
OCL emphasizes on collaboration and knowledge building, while OCOP is known as a fascinating and key aspect
of human or informal learning geared to allow people who have a passion for something, interact and learn how to
improve their practice (Harasim, 2012, p.80; Harasim, 2012, p.141). As part of the successful training module for the
online environment, social, cognitive and teaching presence is important and the following must occur:

Students must lead the discussions and develop information literacy skills by locating, analyzing and
discussing resources.

Peer review and critique other students work.

Leaners must be exposed to group discussions; problem based learning and collaborative tasks.

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OCOP must have social presence and cohesive, affective and interactive factors are very important

Specific goals and objectives must be set by the instructor and met by the students and these needs have to be
assessed. There should be a detailed course curriculum, job aids and high standards.

Communication and areas of disagreement must be addressed to meet the faculty/ teacher interaction
benchmarks.

Student and teacher support is very important

Coaching and mentoring opportunities necessary

Students must be exposed to technology in order to enhance engagement. Flexibility and usage of the Internet
is encouraged

Student-centered approach is mandatory.

Best Practices in Planning, Development and Initiation

For this change to occur, the stakeholders at UMUC must be on board. There should be access to allocated
resources and a clear vision in place. According to Kotter, (2012), once the vice president decides on implementing this
program, as good leader, he should be able to visualize his plans for the future, stimulate the change and also engage the
stakeholders. This will help alleviate conflict, as long as the stakeholders are involved, and the transparency approach is
maximized and communication is done effectively.
Conclusion
The online training and workshop is an effective tool and is needed to help enhance employee and career
development opportunities at the UMUC. I propose this change, effective immediately because the training can commit to
consistency across the board in all administrative departments. This will not only be beneficial in dealing with

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organizational and communication issues but administrative teams will learn how to better assist our primary stakeholder,
which are the students.
References
Cleveland-Innes & Garrison. (2010) An introduction to distance education. Understanding teaching and
learning in a new era. Routledge
Hanover Research Council. (2009). Best practices in online teaching strategies. Retrieved from:
http://www.uwec.edu/AcadAff/resources/edtech/upload/Best-Practices-in-Online-Teaching-StrategiesMembership.pdf
Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York, NY: Routledge.
Keesee, G. (n.d.). Learning theories. Retrieved from
http://teachinglearningresources.pbworks.com/w/page/19919565/Learning%20Theories
Kotter, J.P. (2012). Leading change. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press

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