Instructor: Derek R. Lane, Ph.D. Office: 238 Grehan Building. Phone: 257-4651. Home: 1828 Yorktown Road. Phone: 278-3539.

Textbook: Arnold, W. E., & McClure, L. (1989). Communication training and development. New York: Harper & Row.

Other supplemental readings and journal articles will be provided throughout the course. Required reading material will be available in the Reading Room on the first floor of EGJ or can be collected from Dr. Lane.

Course Description: It is estimated that U.S. organizations expend over $200 billion annually on training and development-much of it targeted to the development of such communication skills as listening, public speaking, and interviewing. This course explores communication training and development as a research and teaching focus for students interested in applied communication. Students will learn how to identify and assess communication competence and how to develop training programs to enhance communication competency.

Instructional Strategies: Instructional strategies will include: (1) reading in books and professional journals, (2) lectures and discussions by the instructor and member(s) of the independent study, (3) practical experience relative to proficiency in necessary skills, (4) a term project consisting of an application of Communication Training and Development (e.g. Training Manual), and (5) a Final Paper.

Course Objectives:

• To understand training and development as part of the field of communication.
• To understand ways to use training and development within organizations.
• To understand how to complete a needs assessment within the organization.
• To understand how to design and present proposals for training and development.
• To understand which formats are most appropriate for specific training needs.
• To understand how to use visual aids in training.
• To understand how to use computers in training.
• To understand how to relate training to job performance.
• To understand the importance and complexity of evaluating training programs.
• To understand training topics for the future.
• To understand the steps for entry into communication training and development
• To understand ethics in communication training and development.

Each student will present the following with both a written and oral report to the instructor:

• Executive Summary and Needs Assessment Proposal (15%)
• Needs Assessment Results and Training Proposal (15%)
• Training Program in Binder w/ Program Example Presented & Videotaped (20%)
• Final Paper (30%)
• Discussions, Activities, and Participation (20%)

                        50%     Term Project

                                    Detailed Training Manual (completed in segments)             30%

                                    Presentation of Training Segment (videotaped)                  20%

                        30%     Final Paper

                        20%     Discussions, Activities, and Participation
 

Course Outline:

• Training and Development as a Field of Communication
• Developing a Necessary Background for Training
• Considerations of Adult Learning
• Needs Assessment
• Preparing Assessments and Proposals
• Designing Training Programs
• Training Environments and Formats
• Audio and Visual Aids in Training
• Computers in Training
• Evaluating Training and Development
• Future Directions of Training and Development

Classes begin: January 15. Spring Break: March 16-21. Last day of classes: May 1. Final Paper Due: Wednesday, May 6, 1998.
 

1	Wednesday	14-Jan-98	(We will not meet) Orientation to the T & D Ind. Study Read Journal #1, Preface, and Chapter 1
2	Wednesday	21-Jan-98	Introduction to Training and Development, Executive Summary, Needs Assessment
			Preface and Chapter One
3	Wednesday	28-Jan-98	Skills Trainers Need
			Chapter Two
4	Wednesday	4-Feb-98	The Needs Assessment
			Chapter Four
5	Wednesday	11-Feb-98	Adult Learning
			Chapter Three
6	Wednesday	18-Feb-98	Presenting Proposals and Assessments
			Chapter Five
7	Wednesday	25-Feb-98	PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT NEEDS ASSESSMENT DUE
8	Wednesday	4-Mar-98	Designing Training Programs
			Chapter Six
9	Wednesday	11-Mar-98	EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS AND PRESENTATION DUE - MIDTERM
			March 16-21-- Spring Vacation
10	Wednesday	25-Mar-98	Conducting Training Programs
			Chapter Seven
11	Wednesday	1-Apr-98	Using Audio Visual Aids/Using the Computer in Training
			Chapters Eight and Nine
12	Wednesday	8-Apr-98	Evaluating Training Programs
			Chapter Ten
13	Wednesday	15-Apr-98	The Future of Training and Development
			Chapter Eleven
14	Wednesday	22-Apr-98	Ethics in Training and Development
			Chapter Twelve
15	Wednesday	29-Apr-98	TRAINING PRESENTATION - LAST DAY OF CLASSES
16	Wednesday	6-May-98	FINAL PAPER DUE
			May 4-8 -- Final Examinations
			Friday, May 8, 1998 END OF 1998 Spring Semester

I.   PROPOSAL FOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT "The Plan"
    A. Executive Summary
    B. Issues Identified
    C. Plan for NEEDS ASSESSMENT

II. NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS "The Results of the Plan"
                    Needs Assessment REPORT
    A. Introductory Statement
    B. Background and History of Organization
    C. Parameters of Needs Assessment
            1. WHO was studied?
            2. WHAT was studied?
    D. Procedures
        1. HOW did you do it?
        2. Population of assessment
        3. Sampling Plan
        4. Methodology
        5. Means of Analysis
    E. Results - WHAT DID YOU FIND?
 
III. TRAINING PROPOSAL "Training Plan"
    A. Target Audience
    B. Title of Program
    C. Objectives and Goals
    D. Content
        1. Sessions
        2. Content of Sessions
        3. Materials and Activities
    E. Means of Evaluation

IV. TRAINING MANUAL - SAMPLE OF TRAINING PROGRAM
                Actual Training Program Sample Session

                    Alternative Outline

• Introduction
• Parameters (what and who assessed?)
• Procedures
• Results
• Conclusions
• Issues Determined
• Recommendations (Training or Non-Training)

Someone interested in Communication Training and Development ought to have answers to the following questions. This independent study should prepare you to answer them. As the semester progresses you will find many of the answers in the Arnold and McClure text, however, you should take initiative to interview UK communication faculty (who are actively engaged in consulting and communication training and development) and professionals in the community who are with consulting firms. You will submit answers to these questions in a final paper which will be due Wednesday, May 6, 1998.
 

• Describe Training and Development (T&D) as one of the Human Resource Areas.
• Describe the relationships between communication and T&D.
• What are the crucial skills needed by a trainer?
• How can someone doing T&D keep current in terms of T&D issues and resources?
• How would you define communication competence? What is the implication of your definition for T&D?
• What should someone in T&D know about communication apprehension?
• What are the issues a trainer should consider when doing a needs assessment?
• What does someone in T&D need to know about the adult learner?
• What are the important principles for the design of training programs?
• What are the important principles for conducting training programs?
• What are the important principles for starting a workshop?
• Describe how you might use EDIT or DEAL in a workshop.
• What do you consider the most useful instructional strategies for T&D?
• What should someone in T&D know about dealing with problem participants?
• Describe the functions a computer can serve for individuals in T&D.
• What issues should a trainer consider when doing program evaluation?
• Compare and contrast needs assessments and program evaluations.
• What is the future of communication training and development?
• What are the ethical issues most relevant to individuals engaged in T&D?
• What issues should one consider when setting up a consulting business? How would one establish a consulting business in Lexington (Fayette County)?
• Arnold and McClure are working on an updated edition of Communication Training and Development and want your advice on additions, deletions, and/or changes. What will you tell them?
• What should trainers know about "transfer of training?" What are the responsibilities of the trainer, the participants, and management before, during, and after the training?
• Who is doing the majority of communication training and development in Lexington (Fayette County) and the surrounding counties?
• What are the primary training topics in Lexington (Fayette County) and the surrounding counties?
• What question should be on this list and isn't?