PROBLEM STATEMENT
The problem
The Consortium for Worker Education, (“CWE”) offers free workforce preparation, industry-specific training, and employment services to over 60 000 thousand learners. With the rise of Generative AI tools, many instructors expressed a desire to get more support in integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their teaching practices. They were particularly interested in learning how to use AI to enhance student engagement, personalize learning experiences, and streamline administrative tasks such as grading and feedback.
Recognizing these needs, CWE decided to develop a self-paced e-learning program aimed at equipping instructors with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize AI in their online and hybrid classrooms.
Gaps in existing solution
Contextualization: Most existing resources on ChatGPT and other AI tools are broad and not tailored to specific educational settings. These materials often cover generic use cases or focus on industries other than education, making it challenging for CWE instructors to see how these tools can be applied to their unique teaching environments.
Personalization: The instructors at CWE have a wide range of digital skills, from tech-savvy individuals who are comfortable with advanced tools to those who are less familiar with digital technologies. Existing materials often assume a baseline level of digital proficiency, which may not be realistic for all participants.
My approach
In response to these gaps, I designed the training program developed for CWE instructors to be highly contextualized, practical, and accessible to all skill levels. It not only focuses on how to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) in ways that are directly relevant to CWE’s unique educational setting but also provides ongoing support and updates to ensure that instructors can continue to refine their skills as AI technology evolves.
THE PROCESS
Need Analysis
I approached this project by first meeting with the Teacher Union Leader to identify the organization's desired outcomes for the training. This meeting was crucial in aligning the training goals with the broader organizational objectives, ensuring that the program would address the most pressing needs of CWE. I then conducted focus groups with teachers to understand their specific needs. During these discussions, ChatGPT emerged as a top choice due to its versatility and potential to enhance various aspects of teaching. Teachers expressed interest in using ChatGPT to create more engaging lessons, personalize feedback, and streamline administrative tasks. ChatGPT could be easily adapted to different teaching contexts and skill levels, making it an ideal tool for the diverse needs of CWE instructors. This feedback strongly influenced the decision to focus on ChatGPT as a core component of the training program.
Design
Based on this analysis, I created a prototype storyboard for the training program using Google Slides to visualize the sequence of modules and key content areas. The prototype storyboard was shared with stakeholders, including teachers and administrators, to gather feedback. A significant piece of feedback received was the importance of incorporating CWE lesson standards into the training. This input led to a revision of the storyboard to ensure that the training was fully aligned with the organization's existing educational frameworks and standards.
Development
The training includes 2 components: (1) an in-person workshop and (2) a self-paced course for those who could not attend live.
The course was developed using Articulate Rise, an e-learning authoring tool known for its flexibility and user-friendly interface that suit the varied level of digital skills of CWE.
After developing the course content on Rise, it was integrated into Moodle, CWE’s Learning Management System (LMS). This integration allowed for seamless access to the course materials and enabled instructors to track their progress within the familiar Moodle environment.
Implementation and Evaluation
Participant engagement with the course was tracked through Moodle, including course completion rates, time spent on each module, and quiz results. This data provided valuable insights into how instructors were engaging with the content and where additional support might be needed.
To assess the effectiveness of the training and identify areas for improvement, a follow-up survey was distributed to participants after they completed the course. The survey focused on gathering feedback on the relevance of the content, the ease of use of the tools, and the overall impact of the training on their teaching practices. This feedback was used to make iterative improvements to the course and ensure it continued to meet the evolving needs of CWE instructors.
FINAL PRODUCT
Description
An e-learning course is specifically designed for Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) instructors, focusing on equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge to create more engaging and interactive lessons, personalize student feedback, and optimize their workflow using ChatGPT.
Results
The course received a high satisfaction rating from participants, with an average score of 4.3 out of 5.0 in the final survey. Ongoing monitoring of data on Moodle ensures continuous improvement.
