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Multi-Media Session 2793

Selecting Communications Technology for Delivering Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs

Peter J. Graybash, Jr. Pennsylvania State University

Abstract

With the convergence of major shifts in economy and society, competency development programs for professional employees in American corporations are increasing in demand and availability. Communications technologies now allow unprecedented linkages between Continuing Professional Engineering Educators (CPEE) and their organizational consumers. As development programs become more available, a multitude of decisions must be made concerning not just the equipment and technology issues, but also "human elements" relating to the teaching and learning and participation by organizational personnel. Not all decisions are made on economics.

The principal objective of this project is to identify the human elements addressed by Continuing Engineering Educators in high-tech industries as they decide on delivery systems for employee education. Information will be collected via a three-phase Delphi study of key decision-makers in a purposive sample of 23 leading high-tech Fortune 500 companies. The first phase of the study involves open-ended questions directed at a focus group. From the focus group comes a written survey questionnaire seeking to define the best match for delivery of competencies, the concerns, the reservations and the challenges. The final phase is telephone interviews for in-depth exploration. It is expected that many of the themes that emerged from the study do not align with what adult educators emphasize in instructional design and delivery, suggesting a more holistic perspective on issues of program planning.

Significance to the field of CPEE is in the importance of human factors in decision-making, which are often denied or ignored. For the corporate educator concerned with instructional design and the learning environment, the impact of the delivery medium with attributed effort, ability, resistance, need to do well, and other items of social need and learner attitude will be better understood. If done well, decision quality will be improved

I. Introduction

For many, the "Information Age" arrived before we realized it, with the 1990s witnessing unparalleled growth and development of information technology. This has changed the world around us -- not only how we view it, but also how we interact and cope with it. Staying current in this rapidly evolving world is a considerable challenge for those seeking to enhance their value as employees, and expand their horizons as individuals. Communications technology has

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Graybash, P. J. (2000, June), Selecting Communications Technology For Delivering Continuing Professional Education (Cpe) Programs Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8687