This Executive Summary / Overview describes the instructional design project I am working on as part of the curriculum for the graduate-level Instructional Design certification program at the University of Wisconsin – Stout.
Currently ABC Company relies on contacting an outside consultant to supply important vent and/or vacuum block measurements to potential customers for future die cast products. In the near future, ABC Company will be able to access and use a new EZ Block Sizer web-based software application that allows mechanical engineers (and/or sales employees) to enter specific information into a software application and create an inquiry and block sizing request for proposal (RFP) for vent and/or vacuum blocks for a potential die cast customer. The EZ Block Sizer software application accurately calculates the evacuation area and size of a device used to evacuate a die casting cavity used in the high pressure die casting process. The software application utilizes a series of casting and machine attributes to perform calculations providing a result that is used in selecting the block size.
This is a new process and software application that will be utilized by a few employees at ABC Company and they need to learn the proper terminology, access, and use of the new software application. Using the web-based EZ Block Sizer software application and a customer information form, the mechanical engineer will be able to search, enter, analyze, produce and send accurate and timely customer inquiries and block sizing (within five days of receiving a customer information form) for vent and vacuum blocks used in die cast manufacturing.
The target audience for this training is the die cast mechanical engineers at ABC Company who provide recommendations to their customers and businesses regarding the use of vent and/or vacuum blocks in the manufacture of their specific products. Currently there are two mechanical engineers, a sales manager and an owner in one location. Additional learner characteristics include:
- Ages: 41 – 50
- Gender: 100% men
- Education: Post-secondary
- Work Experience: 2 years with current company, 5 to 10 years in engineering and 2 years in die casting industry
- Familiar with computers and technology
- Familiar with die cast terminology
The instructions for the training will be delivered via instructor-led (ILT) classroom presentations which include software demonstrations and a PowerPoint presentation that includes visuals/screenshots of the software. The instruction will also include hands-on activities with the software, small group question and answer activities with instructor and peer feedback, tests and job aids. An important part of the face-to-face training is to have access to the software demo environment via the Internet for the hands-on activities.