ADED 5880 Special Problems
Instructor Dr. John Cochenour
Course Description: This course provides a broad perspective through selected reading material. Wherever possible, the student collects and uses original information from an adult education/instructional technology setting. All work is done independently under the direction of a faculty member.

This was the course that offered me the most "hands on" experience out of the entire program. I was handed the task of creating my own learning contract that focused on learning objectives (what i intended to learn), strategies (how i planned to organize my work and my learning), demonstration product(what I would provide my instructor as evidence of my work) and assessment criteria ( the level of learning that I hoped to achieve). I was also responsible for providing required resources(graduate level resources) and target dates (the intended completion dates and report dates).

I chose to tackle a "special Problem" found within my profession. It seemed as though my organization had some trouble in getting their program directors on the same page. I decided to put a plan together that would tackle this problem by combining research with experience and aiming for an end "tool" that could be used within each program, no matter how diverse.

Within this learning contract, I was responsible for the following items: Journal, Annotated Bibliography, Goal worksheet, Draft Timeline, Manager Survey and Results, Final Timeline and State Survey and Results. I managed to complete all tasks and this project was in fact used by the state program targeted. This proved to be a very informative experience and did provide a starters course in program development, implementation and evaluation. The actual learning contract can be found under the "Evidence" tab on the home page.

ADED 5610
Planning & Evaluation
Instructor Harbour, Clifford
Course Description: Participants investigate the concepts, issues, methods, and attitudes involved in the planning and evaluation of instructional systems. Topics covered include planning processes, theory and technique, goal setting, needs assessment, marketing and promotion, evaluation, setting objectives, and trend analysis. Internet access/computer required.

A great way to gain some insight on the topic of program planning and evaluation for a public manager, is to take a course like this. One of the main principles of this course was that both program planning and evaluation are heavily influenced by a systems theory concept. This conceptual framework is for organizing ones's thoughts about a project for an organization.

We touched a great deal on systems concepts such as social institutions, group demands and supports, issues in human resources and technology. We then focused on planning in general. I learned within this course that while planning itself is so important, it is often an ignored function within organizations. A plan tells the workers where the agency is going and when, establishes criteria for managerial decision making, permits evaluation, limits the quality and quantity of the control information that is gathered, minimizes costs by smoothing workload fluctuations and permits the agency to :schedule tasks, personnel, facilities, outside contracts and monetary resources. (Sylvia & Sylvia 2004) In attempts of doing these things, the PERT and CPM techniques were discussed.

Before the actual planning takes place it is important for an agency to recognize the need to plan. Next, would be the need to define a mission, then a needs assessment should take place. After a needs assessment is conducted, the determining of goals and construction of plan can occur. Naturally, once the plan is in place, the beginning of implementation takes place.

Program evaluation was a large focus of this course. Several evaluative methods were discussed and offered several options for the student to draw from. One of the more helpfull tools of the evaluation segment was a ten point checklist for program evaluators. This is a quick and easy reference for the field. I chose to do the final paper on motivation in relation to programs and program planning. This document can also be found under the "Evidence" tab on the home page.