in this issue

Developing a mobile electronic performance support system for a major top 20 newspaper: An action research study in advertising sales

Gary Dickelman speaking at Documentation and Training 2006

Gary Dickelman speaking at Training Solutions Conference and Expo

Traffic Log Patterns

Guiding Principles for Providing "Remember Me" Personalization

Home Broadband Adoption 2006

The Write Stuff

Strategies for developing sustainable open access scholarly journals

Common Elements of Risk

Theresa A. Hueftle

Amazon's book description:

The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective way to deliver just-in-time learning using mobile technology for newspaper salespeople working in the field. The goal was to produce a pedagogical platform that was time sensitive, had on the job accessibility, and did not overload the salesperson's mental abilities. The instructional design prototype used an action research approach. The study was based on the works of Gloria Gery (electronic performance support) and Ruth Clarks (building expertise). This study provided the information from an authentic newspaper environment to develop a mobile performance support prototype for newspaper salespeople. Results revealed the hardware, authoring software, content, architecture, and learning theory for developing a prototype. The Pocket PC could deliver the mobile EPSS because the device met the needs of the mobile EPSS and salespeople based on survey results and small group interviews. The researcher selected RoboHelp for developing the prototype because the software was easy to use and had the ability to output multiple formats. Emergent evidence suggested that the mobile EPSS should include: an array of information that covered (a) market research, (b) product, (c) sales, and (d) production. An effective architecture was deemed usable based on the hardware evaluation and Alison Head's usability criteria. Evidence suggested that the six identified cognitive learning theories were effective learning theories for a mobile performance support system design that used a just-in-time learning strategy. The researcher used cognitive learning theory as a general approach for recalling information when salespeople had prior knowledge. The Pocket PC was the device to deliver the mobile EPSS. The mobile EPSS contained: (a) advertising rates, (b) product specifications, (c) special sections, (d) special initiatives, (e) deadlines, (f) media information, (g) learning center for information where learners had no prior knowledge, (h) advertising guidelines which had many deadlines, product specification, and policies, and (i) marketing information. A weekly review and update of the information should occur for newspaper salespeople to maintain interest in the mobile EPSS. Adult learning, cognitive load, and learning by doing theory were the key predominate theories that described how newspaper salespeople learned while in the field.
 

2006 PCD Awards

The submission deadline has been extended to 20 August 2006, midnight GMT - 4hr.

It's that time again! EPSScentral LLC is now accepting submissions for the 2006 Performance Centered Design Awards! Here's your chance to gain recognition for yourself, your organization, your solution or tool, and your business sponsor. EPSScentral is accepting submissions from PCD solution creators, PCD tool vendors and, generally, from any organization - private sector, government/military, and academic - that can demonstrate innovation in performance-centered systems and tools.

The PCD Awards for 2006 will again showcase innovation that best represents performance-centered design (PCD) in two categories - PCD Solutions and Extraordinary PCD Development Tools. You may submit entries that are currently in-production (deployed to real users, or currently marketed and sold) or at the concept stage (FUNCTIONING proofs-of-concept, design prototypes and products that are not yet in production but have measurable or anticipated measurable PCD value).

Since 1997 the PCD Awards have been the global premier source of innovation and inspiration for demonstrating the principles of performance support systems, which means focusing first on completing tasks with little or no external support, and where learning occurs as a consequence of doing. PCD Award winners are those that put substance behind phrases like, "just enough, just in time," "support at the time of need" and the like. Workflow Learning, Process Performance and Learning Tools (PPLTs) and EPSS (Electronic Performance Support Systems) are among the many solutions and tools that comprise good submissions.

Examples of past submissions and guidelines for entry can be found in the PCD Awards section of www.epsscentral.info. Award recipients will be featured in a formal press release in October, 2006, and an awards presentation will be held at the VNU conference in Denver, CO. Past recipients span the range of small, independent companies to large government agencies and Fortune 100 companies. We look forward to your submissions and announcing the best-ever group of award recipients for 2006.

Regards, 
 

Gary J. Dickelman